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: Added the folder for synchronization again: This results in a link, not an actual sync. Updated the OneDrive client: I have installed the latest version of OneDrive, but the problem persists. Reinstalled OneDrive: I uninstalled and reinstalled OneDrive to fix any potential issues, but the problem remains. Cleared cache and stored credentials: This did not resolve the issue either. Checked the settings for a solution: I have reviewed all relevant options, but haven’t found a solution. Questions: Was this feature intentionally changed by Microsoft, or is this a bug? Is there any way to reverse this change or make shared folders sync locally again like before? Is it possible to sync shared folders without the online link appearing? 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!

Have you found any other options that allow shared folders to be synced to a local drive?

Thanks, I tried this on my Android and get an error that it can't be added. :(

That's good to hear :) I've got a response from Microsoft Support saying: "As per description, we understand that you are facing issue with shared folders showing as link in file explorer/finder. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused. I would like to inform you that this is an ongoing issue and is reported to our engineering team." Today I clicked on the link and the browser is freaking out and continues to switch between two webpage with two different id's in the URL. You can see the website's writing saying: User migrated. User migrated. Go to my OneDrive I clicked "My files" and I could see my files again. But File Explorer access still doesn't work.

In my case, the shared folder showed up as it should in the Shared tab of my OneDrive app on Android and had an "Add to my OneDrive" option, which did the job.

I've checked mine - interestingly, I have been able to start it syncing correctly on my account using the OneDrive app on Android to tell the shared folders to be treated as local - web app does not seem to do this correctly. After I did this, it was fixed on my machines. Have to see if the same works on another account later.

OneDrive – Shared folders can no longer sync locally since yesterday

Anonymous

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:

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

Questions:

Was this feature intentionally changed by Microsoft, or is this a bug?
Is there any way to reverse this change or make shared folders sync locally again like before?
Is it possible to sync shared folders without the online link appearing?
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!

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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137 answers

Anonymous

2025-04-11T18:07:56+00:00

Have you found any other options that allow shared folders to be synced to a local drive?
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Anonymous

2025-04-10T19:52:00+00:00

Thanks, I tried this on my Android and get an error that it can't be added. :(
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Anonymous

2025-04-10T19:42:24+00:00

That's good to hear :)

I've got a response from Microsoft Support saying:

"As per description, we understand that you are facing issue with shared folders showing as link in file explorer/finder. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused. I would like to inform you that this is an ongoing issue and is reported to our engineering team."

Today I clicked on the link and the browser is freaking out and continues to switch between two webpage with two different id's in the URL.

You can see the website's writing saying:

User migrated.

User migrated.

Go to my OneDrive

I clicked "My files" and I could see my files again. But File Explorer access still doesn't work.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2025-04-10T15:26:09+00:00

In my case, the shared folder showed up as it should in the Shared tab of my OneDrive app on Android and had an "Add to my OneDrive" option, which did the job.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2025-04-09T10:39:07+00:00

I've checked mine - interestingly, I have been able to start it syncing correctly on my account using the OneDrive app on Android to tell the shared folders to be treated as local - web app does not seem to do this correctly. After I did this, it was fixed on my machines. Have to see if the same works on another account later.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments