OneDrive – Shared folders can no longer sync locally since yesterday

Anonymous
2025-03-06T21:28:30+00:00

I have been experiencing an issue with the synchronization of shared OneDrive folders that started yesterday. Until now, I could successfully add shared folders to my OneDrive and have them sync locally, but now the folder is only appearing as a shortcut/link and is no longer treated as a regular folder in my OneDrive storage.

Problem:

  • Until yesterday, I could add shared folders to my OneDrive folder, and they would automatically sync so I could use the files directly on my PC.
  • Since yesterday, the shared folder is now only appearing as a link/shortcut, and it is not syncing locally.
  • The folder remains visible as an online link in the OneDrive Explorer, but I can't use it as a normal folder.
  • This affects all shared folders, both from external users and internal ones.
  • This change occurred suddenly on March 5, 2025, and was not present before.

What I have tried:

  1. Added the folder for synchronization again: This results in a link, not an actual sync.
  2. Updated the OneDrive client: I have installed the latest version of OneDrive, but the problem persists.
  3. Reinstalled OneDrive: I uninstalled and reinstalled OneDrive to fix any potential issues, but the problem remains.
  4. Cleared cache and stored credentials: This did not resolve the issue either.
  5. Checked the settings for a solution: I have reviewed all relevant options, but haven’t found a solution.

Questions:

  1. Was this feature intentionally changed by Microsoft, or is this a bug?
  2. Is there any way to reverse this change or make shared folders sync locally again like before?
  3. Is it possible to sync shared folders without the online link appearing?
  4. What steps should I take to resolve this issue?

Additional Information:

  • I am using OneDrive for Personal and syncing multiple folders from different users.
  • The files are still available online, but I am no longer able to use them offline as I did before.

I would greatly appreciate your assistance in resolving this issue. Thank you for your support!

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-04-13T14:24:32+00:00

    I am running Windows Pro, same version and build as you, and same version of One Drive, and I am still having an issue.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-14T21:24:31+00:00

    This has happened to me as well.

    Started 4/1/2025 (for me). All folders that were shared to me, and synced to my desktops, have disappeared from my desktops and replaced with URL links to OneDrive instead. Also, some new folders were created with the original name plus the PC name added to it (as others have experienced). On one desktop I noticed it took some Windows updates early in the morning (around 12 AM per Reliability Monitor), but the OneDrive folder shenanigans didn't start until that evening around 7:20 PM (based on timestamps shown for the folders which were moved to my Recycle Bin). The shared folders no longer appear in the OneDrive app as selectable for syncing - they are not showing at all in the list of folders though they are there in the web OneDrive.

    Hopefully Microsoft gets this sorted out soon as it's made using OneDrive for sharing between family member accounts difficult.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-04-15T01:05:32+00:00

    Solved in my case. After I followed these steps.

    Context: I use a M2 Macbook Air. Office 365 Family subscription. I am not the owner of the subscription, but a part of the family member. Someone in my 365 family shared some folders with me. I added those shared folders as links to my drive (in OneDrive online). They used to work fine as folders on my system, but for the last month or so, they used to show up as links, instead of folders on my system.

    Today I saw that OneDrive app received an update and was updated already 3 days ago on my system, but the issue persisted.

    OneDrive app version: 25.051.0317.0003

    Steps I followed to fix this:

    1. Synced my entire OneDrive with the cloud (screenshot below)Image
    2. Unlinked my account from my mac. Left-click OneDrive icon from menubar -> click gear icon (help & settings) -> click "Preferences" -> click "Accounts" -> click "Unlink this mac"
    3. Went to OneDrive online (using my browser -> onedrive.live.com) -> removed all folder shortcuts. Added them back. NOTE: This step may be redundant. I skipped this step before, but that did not solve it the last time. This could be because this is a crucial step, or that MSFT actually solved the issue with this recent update. I am clueless.
    4. Logged into OneDrive app again on my mac, and waited for the first time sync. Once the sync was done, everything was working fine.

    Hope this helps.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-15T01:18:14+00:00

    Also still waiting on a solution, it should NOT take 6+ weeks for this to be fixed!

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-04-15T02:12:17+00:00

    Hello Dear User  Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

    I realize that you've encountered a problem with OneDrive shared folders and I understand how you feel.

    We take the situation you described very seriously. At present, Microsoft has confirmed that this is a known issue,

    Best Regards.  Lee-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

    I truly hope that this issue is resolved soon since it has been an issue for a while. Would like notification when this issue is resolved.

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