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
    2025-05-14T17:41:45+00:00

    This issue actually started several YEARS ago, I first noticed it on some accounts before 2021. But it has become far more widespread. Last year (2024) MS claimed the problem was due to a back end migration, and all would be fixed, with the links to become local folders again. That explanation isn't too credible after multiple years. MS has barely acknowledged this problem and apparently has no solution in sight. Considering all the MS pressure to use OneDrive for "all of your storage", it would be nice if this core component worked, like Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, and other cloud storage providers.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-20T08:27:06+00:00

    Hi,

    we followed the instructions to add a network drive and it did not work. Similar experience as reported by P.Newm4.

    Even worth, behavior of Windows Explorer on one computer (Win11) seems to change from day to day: one day shared folders don't appear, another day folders appear as unsynced folders with links to files only. The next day the shared folders are gone again in Windows Explorer.

    I gave up, will go back to a "stone age" type of solution: bought two NAS, one installed in my office, the other via VPN in another building and remote access to shared files. I use OneDrive only as additional backup and for access on mobile devices, synced on a regular base.

    Hannes

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-18T15:00:15+00:00

    Mila.L-MSFT,

    Thank you for the suggestions. No Luck. I followed the instructions at the suggested link:

    Please resolve the issue of being unable to access shared files on - Microsoft Community

    (i.e., In Edge browse to a doc in the shared folder, Copy the path, Use Explorer to open LOCAL PC, Create new Internet Site, Paste URL, Remove specific doc name and leave folder name, Enter credentials).

    • Credentials failed. So, as suggested by another poster, I created an App Pwd, which allowed me to create the shortcut. Checked the box to remember credentials.
    • Attempted to open the new shortcut but got error message about "... must first add website to your Trusted sites list ...".
    • Rebooted. Same result.
    • Added both https://*.1drv.ms and https://d.docs.live.net to Trusted sites. Same result.
    • Rebooted. Same result.
    • Tried adding the full URL path to the document to Trusted Sites, but Windows refused because the site is already on the Trusted Sites list (as d.docs.live.net).

    Is it possible that enabling multi-factor authentication for my MSFT account (sometime in the past 2 months) may have contributed to this issue? I have not tried disabling MFA to test this theory (and re-creating shortcuts) but wonder if I should.

    This issue breaks functionality of being able to open shared docs directly in Office. We really need a solution to this problem.

    Thanks,

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-03-18T13:14:44+00:00

    i have the same issue, and also i can say this:

    1, it only happens to me on onedrive personal not in Onedrive work

    2, on website (www.onedrivelive.com) everything is Ok , they look like folders and not like a file (.url)

    1. on my local folder (synced ) they appear like a file (.url) and if I click it , takes me to edge and try to open the website but firstly it flashes for fraction of a second a screen that shows no content and reads something starting with ¨Hmmm ...... looks like this file doesn't have a preview we can show you", and then shows the folder on web.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-10T13:16:42+00:00

    buenos dias, tengo el mismo problema con una carpeta compartida, tambien tengo el problema de que no se actualice mi plan de almacenamiento.

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