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!

Please bring back the broken feature. It's utterly frustrating. And is causing productivity loss.

Hi, We still haven't received your response, and I am concerned about your situation. As frontline members, we are constantly gathering information about the " shared folder is displayed as a shortcut." issue. Recently, some users have reported that one of the solutions is effective: (English thread, you may need to use a translator to read it) Please resolve the issue of being unable to access shared files on - Microsoft Community You can try this solution, and regardless of whether it works for you, please let me know. Thank you very much for your cooperation. I understand that solving this issue cannot rely solely on temporary solutions. Since the problem occurs on the server side rather than the client side, it requires the developers to resolve it. As community forum members, all we can do is try to provide you with more information or temporary solutions to minimize its impact on you. Please believe me, we are on your side. ▲Once the developers resolve this issue, I will update the information here. Thank you for your patience. 🙂 Looking forward to your reply. Best wishes Mila.L-MSFT| Microsoft Community Support Specialist

We've only noticed this issue this weekend - when we found that 2 or more remote located computers were not syncronising like before - apparently problem began sometine week of 7-MARCH. IT IS URGENT that we get this resolved --- polite language as used above WITHOUT a definite DATE OF FI is useless and PATHETIC -- HELP HELP!!

Been facing this issue as well. Its seriously a huge problem. Is there a different solution for the same? I will stop using it

Can you please define "certain period of time"?

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

2025-03-22T03:34:39+00:00

Please bring back the broken feature. It's utterly frustrating. And is causing productivity loss.
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Anonymous

2025-03-18T05:45:46+00:00

Hi,

We still haven't received your response, and I am concerned about your situation.

As frontline members, we are constantly gathering information about the " shared folder is displayed as a shortcut." issue. Recently, some users have reported that one of the solutions is effective:

(English thread, you may need to use a translator to read it)

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

You can try this solution, and regardless of whether it works for you, please let me know. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

I understand that solving this issue cannot rely solely on temporary solutions. Since the problem occurs on the server side rather than the client side, it requires the developers to resolve it. As community forum members, all we can do is try to provide you with more information or temporary solutions to minimize its impact on you. Please believe me, we are on your side.

▲Once the developers resolve this issue, I will update the information here. Thank you for your patience. 🙂

Looking forward to your reply.

Best wishes

Mila.L-MSFT| Microsoft Community Support Specialist
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Anonymous

2025-03-17T11:08:58+00:00

We've only noticed this issue this weekend - when we found that 2 or more remote located computers were not syncronising like before - apparently problem began sometine week of 7-MARCH. IT IS URGENT that we get this resolved --- polite language as used above WITHOUT a definite DATE OF FI is useless and PATHETIC -- HELP HELP!!
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2025-03-17T09:08:35+00:00

Been facing this issue as well. Its seriously a huge problem. Is there a different solution for the same? I will stop using it
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2025-03-13T12:37:51+00:00

Can you please define "certain period of time"?
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