Will no longer load files to File Explorer and SharePoint

Question

I am using a bot to load documents to a SharePoint site. However, I mistakenly created a second shortcut to the site on File Explorer. I removed the second shortcut and tried to sync back to the original shortcut in File explorer. But now the bot loads the documents to my downloads folder and I cannot get it to load to the SharePoint site. How do I do that? I've quit One drive and logged back in. It says it is syncing but then gives an error saying it is already syncing.

Answer 1

The error occurs because OneDrive cannot both sync a SharePoint document library and use a shortcut to that same library at the same time. When the shortcut/sync relationship is broken, the bot falls back to saving in local folders (like Downloads) instead of the synced SharePoint location.

To restore saving to SharePoint via File Explorer, do the following on the PC where the bot runs:

1. Remove any conflicting shortcuts and syncs
   1. Select the blue OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar notification area.
   2. Select Settings (gear icon) > Settings.
   3. Go to the Account tab and review the list of syncing sites.
   4. For the SharePoint library in question, select Stop sync to remove any existing sync relationship.
   5. In File Explorer, remove any shortcuts to that same SharePoint folder (right‑click the shortcut and select Remove shortcut). This only removes the shortcut, not the content.
2. Re-establish a single sync method
   1. In a browser, open the SharePoint document library where the bot’s files should be stored.
   2. Decide on one of the following (not both):
      • Use Sync to sync the library directly to File Explorer, or
      • Use Add shortcut to My files to create a shortcut in OneDrive.
   3. If choosing Sync, click Sync in the SharePoint library and let OneDrive set up the synced folder in File Explorer.
   4. If choosing Add shortcut to My files, use that option and then let OneDrive sync the shortcut into File Explorer.
   Note: For a SharePoint document library, Sync and Add shortcut to My files cannot be used together for the same library.
3. Point the bot to the correct folder
   1. After sync completes, locate the correct SharePoint/OneDrive folder in File Explorer (the one now syncing without errors).
   2. Update the bot’s configuration so it saves files into that synced folder path instead of Downloads.

Once there is only one active sync/shortcut relationship for that SharePoint library and the bot is pointed to the synced folder, new documents should again upload to the SharePoint site instead of the local Downloads folder.

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References:

• You can't sync a shared folder that's set as a shortcut in OneDrive sync app
• OneDrive sync app error: Unable to sync shortcut
• Sync SharePoint and Teams files with your computer

Answer 2

Hi @Williams Maureen J, 

Thank you for reaching out. Regarding your information, it appears that the creation and subsequent removal of a duplicate shortcut has caused a synchronization conflict within your OneDrive client. This frequently results in a sync ghost, where the system retains a locked reference to a nonexistent path, causing your automation bot to default to the Downloads folder. 

To resolve these errors and re-establish a stable connection to your SharePoint library, please follow the procedures outlined below. 

Phase 1: Resetting the OneDrive sync engine 

The already syncing error typically indicates that a background process is stuck attempting to reconcile the deleted shortcut. Resetting the application will clear the cache without deleting your files. 

1. Right-click the OneDrive (blue cloud) icon in your system tray and select Close OneDrive. 
2. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. 

• Enter the following command: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset 
• Note: If an error occurs, use: C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset 

1. Open OneDrive from your Start menu and allow it several minutes to re-index your libraries. 

Phase 2: Remove the conflicting “Add shortcut to OneDrive” entry (even if File Explorer won’t remove it) 

For SharePoint content, OneDrive does not support using Sync and Add shortcut to OneDrive for the same library/folder at the same time. If a shortcut exists, it can block syncing and trigger the “already syncing a shortcut” behavior. 

1. Go to OneDrive on the web > My files. 
2. Locate the folder with the small link/chain icon (this indicates a shortcut). 
3. Right‑click it and choose Remove Shortcut. 
4. If the shortcut still appears in File Explorer and won’t delete, pause OneDrive syncing and try deleting the shortcut folder again. 

Phase 3: Re-establish sync and update the bot destination. 

1. Open the SharePoint document library in your browser and select Sync to create a fresh File Explorer sync connection. 
2. If your bot saves to a local File Explorer path, open the bot settings and re-select the correct destination folder (the local sync location may have changed after removing/re-adding the sync). 

I hope these steps allow you to restore your workflow successfully. If you find that the shortcut remains locked after these steps, please let me know.

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