Sharepoint Sync vs add shortcut to onedrive (difference)

We recently had the "Add Shortcut to OneDrive" feature rolled out on our company tenant.   I had a user add a shortcut to the library not realizing it didn't have similar behavior to a Windows Explorer one.  She deleted it from her OneDrive in her Windows File Explorer, and on sync it began deleting everything from the SharePoint Library.  We had to run a large restore, but it seems like that functionality shouldn't be available to people without elevated privileges who have to conduct mass deletions for some reason.  Is that an issue in our tenant that needs updating, or can that feature be modified in SharePoint online?  

Thanks!

As the thread is closed, I would like to suggest you post a new thread about your concern.

@George, for those of us following this thread and the swirl of questions around these two similar features, please stop insisting a new thread be opened. We were lucky enough to find this thread, and would very much like to see these questions be worked through instead of trying to track down what other places these related questions get asked.

Hi gigidiv,

Thanks for posting in the community.

For the “Sync” feature, you can sync your Microsoft SharePoint files (library) to a folder on your computer by the OneDrive client.(a different sync folder from OneDrive sync folder) This lets you work directly in File Explorer and access files even when you're offline. And when you go back online, any changes made to those files will sync automatically.

For your reference: Sync SharePoint and Teams files with your computer

For the “Add shortcut to OneDrive” feature in SharePoint, you can sync your Microsoft SharePoint files (library) to your OneDrive. You could access the SharePoint library in OneDrive directly. Also, if you use the OneDrive application, you could see the library folder in File Explorer.

For your reference: Add shortcuts to shared folders in OneDrive for work or school

If you have any concerns, please feel free and come back to share with us.

Regards,

George

Thank you for your reply.  To clarify..the only difference is the location of the folder(document library)?  All sync functions are the same, correct?

Example:

The location difference illustrated with the headshots SharePoint doc library. 

Thanks George.  The contrast to Windows Explorer was along the lines of a shortcut acting like an alias to the folder - so when you delete the shortcut it doesn't delete the contents.  I think that's what the user was thinking it would be.

Is there a way to remove the feature completely from SharePoint Libraries - or is it based on the overall company tenant.  I'd prefer to take that feature out, or only security-enable it for site owners because I see it getting us in some trouble if Contributor type users can do that.  I looked in features and couldn't see a way to do it, but haven't checked to see if I can set up security to take that out yet.

Thanks!

SMTAX