Forum Discussion
Microsoft 365 Family: Copilot cannot directly access OneDrive files
I am the primary subscriber on an active Microsoft 365 Family subscription.
Copilot is unable to directly access or read files stored in the OneDrive associated with the same Microsoft account. I have reproduced this both in the Windows Copilot app and in Copilot on the web.
When I ask Copilot to access a specific existing OneDrive folder, it reports that it does not have access to my OneDrive and cannot see or open the folder or files.
Manual file attachment does work: if I manually attach a file from OneDrive, Copilot can read and summarise it. The problem is specifically with direct OneDrive access without manually attaching the file.
Microsoft Support also investigated the issue remotely using Quick Assist. They confirmed that manual file attachment works, but direct OneDrive access does not. The support agent told me that this appeared to be a "design/feature issue with Copilot" and that it was beyond his support boundary, so he was unable to resolve it. He advised me to submit the issue through Feedback Hub and also raise it here in the Microsoft Community.
I have submitted the issue through Feedback Hub.
I'd really love to know if anyone using Microsoft 365 Family has experienced the same problem, or found a way to enable direct Copilot access to OneDrive for the primary subscriber.
I would also be interested to know whether this is currently expected functionality for Microsoft 365 Family, or whether there are additional account, rollout, entitlement, or permission requirements that are not obvious from the product interface.
Any relevant experience or wisdom would be very gratefully received.
4 Replies
This happens to me ALL THE TIME and it drives me crazy.
365 Copilot tells me it can't access Google Drive.
(even though I shared and made the folder/files public and is connected within the chat ai app)
So, then 365 Copilot tells me to upload the files to my OneDrive.
I upload the files to my OneDrive, enable sharing.
365 Copilot tells me it can't find the files on my OneDrive.
I then try using the "add cloud files" > select the folder > add.365 Copilot tells me it can't find the files.
😡😡🤬🤬🤪🤪
I threw my phone out my window, which hit the window screen and bounced back hitting my in the face. My elbow knocked over my drink, stepped on my cat's tail, got scratched, slipped, fell, breaking four ribs and losing my socks.
I took a deep breath and said to myself, "I hate these f*$%ng ai chat bots."
My brain went into a hyper logical state and I think I figured it out.
1. You must be VERY specific.
For whatever reason, the copilot LLM/ai algorithm is TERRIBLE at "guessing" where/what/who the files are.
If you make a folder, tell Copilot the EXACT name of the folder.
DO NOT ASSUME that the ai will be smart enough to search inside that folder too.
If there are sub-folders and the files are inside those sub-folders.
Copilot is NOT smart enough to look inside those sub-folders, unless you specifically tell it too.
2. There might be a 10–15-minute delay after you upload/add the files to OneDrive, until Copilot can notice them. (don't ask me why, Microsoft pays people to figure this out, not me)
3. If you edit/rename files within OneDrive this could cause a temp/cache issues or trigger a 10-15minute delay (AGAIN). You might have to ask the Copilot LLM to clear its cache/temp/tokens whatever and to then provide VERY SPECIFIC FILE NAMES AND FOLDER NAMES for it to use.
4. I've also noticed that during "BUSY" hours. Copilot might suggest because their servers are busy, it is failing to find your files. I honestly think this is the LLM hallucinating because it does not know what else to tell you. (make of that what you will)I am also having precisely the same issue.
I am experiencing the same issue as a Microsoft 365 Family subscriber. Copilot cannot read my folders in OneDrive. It is a prevalent issue in the consumer space with personal subscribers. I guess we are not prioritised as Copilot is working fine in the enterprise space. I am still looking for a resolution on this.
Thanks for confirming you’re seeing the same issue. That’s useful to know, as it suggests this may not be limited to my account or PC. In my case, Microsoft Support tested the issue with me remotely using Quick Assist. We confirmed that OneDrive itself is working normally, Copilot and OneDrive are signed into the same Microsoft account, and the issue occurs both in the Windows Copilot app and in Copilot on the web. Manual attachment works: if I attach a OneDrive file to Copilot, it can read and summarise it. What fails is direct access to OneDrive folders/files without manually attaching them. OneDrive Support then escalated my case internally. Their escalation team advised that there was no further OneDrive-side troubleshooting or escalation available and that this should go through Feedback Hub/product engineering, which I have now done. So at this point I’m also still waiting for a proper resolution. If you’ve found any other workaround or received any different guidance from Microsoft, I’d be very interested to hear it.
