Get error from OneDrive saying a shortcut exists so it won't sync

Question

Try to sync a folder in SharePoint and from Teams app and get the same OneDrive error saying a shortcut exists and it can't sync. I tried searching registry editor and deleted something similar but issues still exists. Can't track down a shortcut anywhere in File Explorer, unsure on how to track this down and fix this. Any assistance would be appreciated before I just re-image the computer.

Answer 1

Dear@Nick J. Knodel,  

Thank you for reaching out Q&A Forum!  

We understand your frustration when OneDrive fails to sync due to an existing shortcut**.**  

Based on our research, when you attempt to sync a SharePoint Online document library using the OneDrive app, the sync stops working and you may receive the following error message:  So this behavior is by designed. As OneDrive does not sync a document library that has already been added as a shortcut, the 'Add shortcut to My files' option also cannot be used if the library is already being synced.  

According to the Microsoft official link - Can't sync a shortcut folder with OneDrive - SharePoint | Microsoft Learn, there are two resolution options you may try to remove shortcut from OneDrive folders:   

Option 1: Remove the shortcut from the OneDrive folder  

• Open the OneDrive folder on your device.  
• Find the shortcut folder that has a small link icon.   
• Right-click the shortcut folder and select Delete.  

Option 2: Remove the shortcut from the OneDrive site  

• Sign in to your Microsoft 365 account, and then select OneDrive from the app launcher or open your OneDrive site URL.  
• Select My files > Find the shortcut folder that has a small link icon   
• Right-click the folder >then select Delete .  

 If you can't remove the shortcut folder, pause syncing in the OneDrive sync app, and then try again to delete the shortcut.  

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