Access to SharePoint folders through quick access shortcuts

Question

Hi everyone,

A user have access to SharePoint Online folders but wants to access them though quick access shortcuts.
On the screenshot below the user's OneDrive in the File Exporer.

How can I add the highlighted folders without syncing them?

Answer 1

Dear @DT_2026,

Based on your screenshot, the folders you highlighted (“2. HR” / “2. HR – 2.5”) are exactly what Microsoft calls OneDrive shortcuts to SharePoint, and this is the only supported way to show SharePoint folders in File Explorer / Quick access without doing a full sync.

According to my testing, it works normally and the folders appear in the File Explorer. Therefore, to make SharePoint folders appear in OneDrive in File Explorer (and optionally pin them to Quick access) without syncing the whole library. For reference, please refer to Sync SharePoint files and folders

Therefore, here are some options I recommend you try again.

Option 1: Sync SharePoint and Teams files with your computer

Option 2: Add shortcuts to shared folders in OneDrive

Step 1; Open the SharePoint document library in the browser > Navigate to the site where the folder lives (for example, the HR library) > Select the folder (not the whole library) > Hover over “2. HR” or “2. HR – 2.5” > Click ⋯ (three dots) > Choose Add shortcut to OneDrive.

Step 2: Confirm in OneDrive (web) > Go to OneDrive on the web > My files > You will now see the folder with a small shortcut arrow icon

Step 3: Verify on the PC > Ensure the OneDrive sync client is running > In File Explorer > OneDrive – <Organization>, the folder will appear > Files show a cloud icon (online‑only). The folder is visible in File Explorer and Quick access, but nothing is downloaded unless the user opens a file.

If the file appears in My file in OneDrive for web, but the folder does not appear in File Explorer, please check the following:

Step 1: First, make sure the OneDrive desktop app is running on your computer and that you are signed in with the same work or school account. In File Explorer, the folder should appear under OneDrive – <your organization name>, not under “This PC” or a personal OneDrive account.

Note: Please also verify that Files On‑Demand is enabled. You can check this by right‑clicking the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray, opening Settings, and ensuring Files On‑Demand is turned on.

Step 2: If the folder still does not appear, try closing and restarting OneDrive, then wait a few minutes for it to refresh. In many cases, this resolves the issue.

Step 3: Unlinking and re-linking your computer to OneDrive can help solve some sync problems. For reference, please refer to Unlink and re-link OneDrive

Step 4: If the issue still persists, resetting Microsoft OneDrive can sometimes resolve sync issues and resets all OneDrive settings. OneDrive will perform a full sync after the reset. For reference, please follow to Reset OneDrive

I hope the information shared helps point you in the right direction. Please try the steps above and let me know if they work. If not, we can continue working together to narrow this down.

The first response may not always resolve the issue right away, but with your help and more details, we can work toward a solution.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. I'm looking forward for your reply.

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Answer 2

The highlighted folders are SharePoint folders that have been added to OneDrive as shortcuts. To get them in File Explorer without using the classic “Sync” button, use OneDrive shortcuts and Files On-Demand:

1. In the SharePoint document library that contains the folder, select the folder and choose Add shortcut to OneDrive.
2. The shortcut will appear in the user’s OneDrive under My files on OneDrive web.
3. Make sure the OneDrive sync app is running on the PC and that Files On-Demand is enabled so that folders appear in File Explorer but do not fully download (they show with the cloud icon).
4. In File Explorer, open the OneDrive – <organization> node. The shortcut folders from SharePoint will now appear there and can be pinned to Quick access if desired.

This uses OneDrive shortcuts instead of a separate SharePoint sync, and with Files On-Demand turned on, the folders are available in File Explorer without being fully synced to the device.

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References:

• View SharePoint files in File Explorer
• Sync SharePoint files and folders
• Sync in SharePoint and OneDrive
• Add shortcuts to shared folders in OneDrive