How to delete a synchronized folder between a Onedrive - Shared library and my MacBook (Finder)

Question

Hi,
After the wrong initiative in Finder, I duplicate a folder which actually is a Synchronized folder for a shared sharedpoint. Is it so big than after one week it is not yet appeared on Onedrive cloud. I want to delete this folder.

Answer 1

Hi Victor Poudelet

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum

To resolve this issue, I recommend following these steps to stop the synchronization, delete the local duplicate, and ensure no unintended changes occur in the cloud:

1. Pause OneDrive Sync: Click the OneDrive icon in your Mac's menu bar, select the gear icon > Pause syncing, and choose a duration (e.g., 2 hours) to halt ongoing processes.

2. Stop Syncing the Specific Shared Library:

• Return to the OneDrive menu > gear icon > Preferences > Account tab.
• Locate the shared library under "Synced libraries," click "Stop sync," and confirm.

This unlinks the sync without deleting cloud files.

 3. Delete the Local Folder and Duplicate: In Finder, navigate to your OneDrive folder, right-click the duplicated folder (and the original synced one if needed), and select "Move to Trash." Empty the Trash to remove it permanently from your Mac.

 4. Resume Sync if Desired: After deletion, resume syncing via the menu bar or re-add the library in Preferences > Account.

Additionally, verify the cloud version by logging into OneDrive or SharePoint online to check for any partial uploads, and delete them there if necessary.

Hope my answer will help you.

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".   

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

To delete the duplicated synced folder from the Mac and the connected OneDrive/SharePoint library, delete it directly from Finder in the synced location. The OneDrive sync app will then remove it from the cloud as well.

On macOS:

1. Open Finder.
2. In the sidebar, open the synced OneDrive or SharePoint folder where the duplicated folder is located.
3. Select the duplicated folder.
4. Right‑click it and choose Move to Trash (or drag it to the Trash).

Because this folder is part of a synced library, deleting it in Finder deletes it in the cloud copy too, and the change will sync to OneDrive/SharePoint on all devices.

If the folder is very large, the deletion and sync may take some time. If many items are deleted accidentally, they can be restored from the OneDrive or SharePoint recycle bin in a browser.

If the goal is to stop syncing this library entirely (so local actions no longer affect the cloud), stop or unlink the sync first, then delete the local folder:

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the macOS menu bar.
2. Open Preferences/Settings.
3. On the Account tab, stop syncing that library or Unlink this PC/Mac.
4. After unlinking, delete the local folder in Finder if desired.

---

References:

• Sync files with OneDrive on macOS
• Work with synced files in File Explorer
• Delete files or folders in OneDrive
• How to cancel or stop sync in OneDrive
• Stop syncing a library with the OneDrive for work or school app