Can't delete OneDrive folder

Question

My OneDrive folders have not been syncing properly which I am fairly confident is due to a folder that has 400K+ files. Since uploading this folder I discovered that Microsoft recommends no more than 300K files to avoid performance issues of the kind I am now having. I now find that I cannot remove it. I have tried deleting it using the online files portal. The portal says that it has begun deleting but so far it has remained visible even after a few hours. I have tried deleting the local copy on the two machines that I am syncing. This succeeded on one machine, but on the other, OneDrive has commenced downloading it back onto the device from the cloud folder that I have tried to delete! I have tried stopping the syncing of that folder through the OneDrive app but this returns an errors that says I have to wait until the folder re-syncs (ie downloads again). I have tried moving the folder online and get the error that there are too many files in the folder for it to be removed.

I'm running Windows 11 on both machines. Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

Dear Shaun Ginsbourg,

Thanks for posting back.

According to this article, performance issues can occur if you have more than 300,000 items been stored in SharePoint library/OneDrive for Business. It is one of the limitations for OneDrive for Business. Sorry for the inconvenience that happened to you.

For your query, I would like to suggest you contact your admin/IT department and let them create a support ticket via Microsoft 365 Admin Center> Support> New service request. That support team there will have the correct channel and resources to help you investigate more and check if there is a workaround.

Appreciate your understanding and patience.

Sincerely,

George | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Thanks George, it has now in fact deleted on OneDrive for Web. It took a long time (12-24 hours) and during that time it was far from clear that this was going to occur.

The moral of the story is not to push the number of files you are syncing via OneDrive above that 300K mark. The OneDrive service simply doesn't cope and performance may grind to a standstill, no matter how powerful your machine and good your bandwidth is.

Answer 3

Dear Shaun Ginsbourg,

Good day! Thanks for posting in the community. We are happy to help you.

According to your description, for "I have tried deleting it using the online files porta", do you mean you have tried to deleted files from OneDrive for Web (go to www.office.com, click the OneDrive icon)? If not, please try to delete files from OneDrive for Web, then check again. Make sure these files are deleted in OneDrive for Web.

For "The portal says that it has begun deleting but so far it has remained visible even after a few hours", please provide a full screenshot with us.

We look forward to your response. Thanks for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

George | Microsoft Community Moderator