Why is there a Documents folder and Shared Documents folder after upgrading from SharePoint 2010 to SharePoint 2016?

Question

I recently completed an upgrade (db attach) from SharePoint 2010 to SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2016. Users now see a "Documents" folder and "Shared Documents" folder under Subsites - Site Contents. I have a user who uses Windows Explorer to manage SharePoint content who noticed more files under "Documents" folder than under "Shared Documents" folder. I assume "Documents" folder is the SharePoint 2016 replacement for "Shared Documents."

Why are there two folders?

Should these folders be mirrored?

Can "Shared Documents" be deleted?

What is best practice for this scenario?

Answer 1

Hi @C1TonyB ,

Per my test, when we create a site in SharePoint 2010, by default it will create two libraries "Documents" and "Shared Documents". As the below picture shows. So after you upgraded (db attach) from SP2010 to SP2016, these two libraries will be migrated. That's why there are two folders.

These two folders are not mirrored, they are two different libraries.

Yes, "Shared Documents" can be deleted. Just go to library settings-> click delete this document library.

You could keep both libraries, or move the files from "Shared Documents" to "Documents" then delete the "Shared Documents".

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Answer 2

if Shared Documents doclibs contain files you may move them to Documents doclib and then delete Shared Documents. Here is Powershell script which can be used for moving files from one doclib to another: PowerShell Script to Move all Documents Between Libraries.