Mapping Sharepoint to file explorer - not One Drive

Question

Hi,

I had to do a factory reset on my computer and it wiped out the previously established file explorer link to my online SharePoint files. I was able to sync my personal/work files for One Drive, but not for the office shared files, which I had before the reset.

I need help getting this sorted out.

Thank you,

[Moderator note: personal info removed]

Answer 1

Hi @Linda E. Maurice, 

Thank you for reaching out regarding the missing SharePoint folders in File Explorer after your computer was factory reset. 

Based on your description, this behavior is expected and commonly occurs after a reset. While personal OneDrive files automatically re-sync once you sign in, shared SharePoint libraries do not restore automatically. These shared folders need to be manually reconnected because the reset removes local sync configurations, cached credentials, and any previously mapped links.

The most reliable and Microsoft‑recommended method is to re-sync the SharePoint library using OneDrive:

1. Open the SharePoint site in your web browser. 
2. Navigate to the document library containing the shared files. 
3. Click the Sync button.
4. Confirm the prompt to open OneDrive. 

Once completed, the shared files will reappear in File Explorer alongside your OneDrive folders and stay updated automatically. 

Please note: Mapping SharePoint as a network drive is no longer recommended due to stability and sign‑in issues, especially after system resets or security updates. 

Additionally, you may consider using the “Add shortcut to My files” option in the SharePoint interface to integrate your shared libraries. This approach creates a shortcut directly in your primary OneDrive folder, allowing you to access and manage shared SharePoint content alongside your personal files. It’s a suitable option if you prefer a consolidated folder structure for your day‑to‑day work.

• Please refer to the official article for step-by-step instructions: View SharePoint files in File Explorer - Microsoft Support 

I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

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Answer 2

To restore access to the office SharePoint “shared files” in File Explorer after the reset, set up sync again from the SharePoint site using the OneDrive sync app.

Follow these steps on the rebuilt computer:

1. Open a browser and sign in to Microsoft 365.
2. Select the app launcher (grid icon) in the upper-left corner, then choose SharePoint (or Teams if the files are in a team).
3. Open the site that contains the office shared files.
4. Go to the Documents library (or the specific document library/subfolder that was previously mapped).
5. Click the Sync button in the toolbar.
6. When the browser asks for permission to open Microsoft OneDrive, allow it.
7. If prompted, sign in to OneDrive and complete any setup steps.

After this:

• A folder with your organization’s name (for example, %userprofile%\Contoso) is created automatically and added to the left pane of File Explorer.
• The synced SharePoint library appears as a subfolder under that organization folder.
• Any changes made in File Explorer sync back to the SharePoint library, and vice versa.

If the Sync button shows a screen saying “Which library do you want to sync?”, the site may not be configured for the current OneDrive sync app; in that case an IT admin must follow the guidance in Let users sync SharePoint files with the new OneDrive sync app referenced in the documentation.

If preferred, instead of using Sync, Add shortcut to My files can be used in the SharePoint library. This also uses the OneDrive sync app but adds the library as a shortcut under OneDrive, which then appears on all devices where OneDrive is signed in.

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References:

• Sync SharePoint and Teams files with your computer
• Sync SharePoint files and folders
• View SharePoint files in File Explorer