Cannot Access Folder on OneDrive While Logged In

TM 0 Reputation points
2026-08-06T01:31:31.9766667+00:00

My boss shared me a OneDrive Link to add to and download files as needed. Its his own personal OneDrive he shared to my personal OneDrive. When I click on the link I can see the files, however, when I log in they disappear. If I try to access them through "Shared" I see it there, however, when I click on the link it says nothing is there and asks me to try and refresh the page. The thing is, I can see all the files and the other folders in the main folder if I follow the link without being logged in, so I am not sure how to fix this.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows
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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-06T01:31:49.3933333+00:00

    This usually happens because the shared link is being opened with a different account than the one the invitation or permission is tied to, or because the link permissions are no longer valid for the signed-in account.

    Try this in order:

    1. Open the shared link in a private browser window.
      • Use InPrivate or Incognito mode.
      • Sign in only with the personal Microsoft account that should have access.
      • Then open the link again.
    2. If it works in private browsing, clear the browser cache and cookies.
      • Then sign in again and test the link.
    3. Make sure the folder was shared to the same account currently being used.
      • A common cause is that the link was shared to one account, but the browser is signed in with another.
      • This matches the error pattern where a shared link is visible until sign-in, then becomes unavailable.
    4. Ask the owner to reshare the folder.
      • The owner should confirm the folder was not moved, renamed, or deleted.
      • The owner should verify that the correct account still has permission.
      • If needed, the owner should generate a new sharing link.
    5. Check the item from OneDrive on the web.
      • In OneDrive.com, select Shared in the left pane to find items shared with the account.
      • If it appears there but opens to an empty page, that still points to a permission or link/account mismatch issue.

    Also note:

    • Not all shared links open the same way in the OneDrive app. Some links open in the browser instead, especially older links or links that need extra Microsoft 365 validation.
    • Shared items are based on the owner’s OneDrive, so they can behave differently from files stored directly in the signed-in account’s own OneDrive.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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