How can I add a shared file onto my pc file explorer?

Question

I have been shared a file by a colleague on one drive. This appears on my online onedrive, however, it does not show on my pc file explorer. I can create an online shortcut, but I want to be able to access the file on my explorer directly. How can I do this?

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Files, folders, and storage***

Answer 1

Hello Ella,

I am Jayshri, an Independent Advisor here to assist you with this issue.

1. To access a shared file on your PC, first, go to OneDrive on the web at Microsoft OneDrive and log in with your Microsoft account.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/microsoft-365/o...

2. In the left navigation pane, click on “Shared.” You will see the files that have been shared with you.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/see-...

3. Right-click on the file or folder shared with you and select "Add to my OneDrive." This action creates a shortcut to the shared item in your OneDrive.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-...

4. Open File Explorer and find the OneDrive folder in the left sidebar.

If you haven't set up OneDrive on your PC, you can download it from the Microsoft Store or the OneDrive website. Ensure OneDrive is running. If you see the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray, right-click it and choose "Settings."

Under the Account tab, click on "Choose folders." Ensure that the folder containing the shared file is checked to sync.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sync...

5. After the sync is complete, navigate to your OneDrive folder in File Explorer. The shared file should now be visible there.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/mana...

Please check, and I hope this helps you access the shared file on your PC.

Answer 2

I do not have this option to add to file explorer. The only option is to add a shortcut (see image), however I do not want a shortcut, I want to be able to access files directly in file explorer.

Regarding step 4 above, I have tried this but the file does not come up as an option to add.

This answer has not solved my problem.

Answer 3

Hello Ella,

You cannot directly sync shared files or folders to your PC in File Explorer unless they are added as a shortcut to your own OneDrive.

Go to OneDrive on the web > Shared section.

Right-click the shared folder and select "Remove from My Files".

In the Shared section, right-click the folder and select "Add shortcut to My Files."

Open File Explorer and find your OneDrive folder. In onedrive application.

Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray > Settings.

Go to Account > Choose folders and ensure the shared folder is checked

If the folder doesn’t appear, go to Settings > Account > Unlink this PC.

Sign in again to refresh the sync.

After these steps, the shared folder should be available in File Explorer under your OneDrive.

please check this if helps.

Answer 4

I have tried all these steps, however, the folder does not show in the account settings of onedrive to select it to show in the file explorer. So the problem still persists.

Answer 5

Hello Ella,

As shared for not showing shared section please Go to OneDrive on the web and open the shared folder in the Shared section.

Open the folder and select Sync from the toolbar (you may be prompted to open the OneDrive app).

Ensure you have edit permissions for the shared folder. Without edit access, the sync option might not appear. You can confirm this by checking with your colleague who shared the folder.

Open the OneDrive app on your PC.

Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray and select Settings.

Go to Account > Choose folders and see if the folder appears after some time.

If it doesn’t, try Unlink this PC under the Account tab, then sign back in to refresh the sync.

If not, check with another folder you can sync and access before.