Forum Discussion
Private channel - sync to explorer doubles the site name
Hello everyone, I'm experiencing some odd behavior that I hope someone can explain.
While in the Teams app, I created a private channel called "Payroll" in a team called "EVG-Finance" and then clicked the Sync button on the Files tab.
The folder that is added to Windows Explorer is called "EVG-Finance - Payroll - Payroll"
Why does it duplicate Payroll and how can I make it stop???
- Hi guys,
This is as designed. Private channels create separate site collections. In explorer, it is showing the name of the site collection not a duplication.
Example of standard channel
EVG-Finance (site collection) - General (Folder)
Example of private channel
EVG-Finance - Payroll (Site Collection) - Payroll (Folder)
Hope that makes sense. It is the way that Teams is architected. I can see how it’s confusing as part of the site collection is named the same as the folder and gives the impression when synced to explorer that it’s duplicated when it’s not.
Hope that answers your question. We all have the same 😄
Best, Chris
30 Replies
I have managed to solve this issue by;
- Sync the folder first with the double name
- Navigate to the folder in explorer and copying a desktop.ini file into the folder
- Right click on the suspect folder on the left hand side of the explorer window and click properties
- Click Customise
- Check then Uncheck also apply this template to all subfolders (don't ask me why this step is needed)
- Click OK
and it should be working. The folder Sync correctly in Teams/Sharepoint and also works as it should in explorer.
Contents of the Desktop.ini File
---------------------
[.ShellClassInfo]
LocalizedResourceName=WhatEverFolderNameGoesHere
[ViewState]
Mode=
Vid=
FolderType=StorageProviderDocuments----------------------
as Rob Ellis mentioned he is right On the followings:
- EVG-Finance = this is main Teams/Office 365 group name
- Payroll = this is the Url of the private Channel (EVG-Finance-Payroll) you can see it in explore as well while browsing the private channel site
- Payroll = this one is a folder inside document library as every channels created in teams it creates a folder in document library
note: if you change the private channel name to different the url will stay as it was created at first as of Feb 2020
This is because the folder name used when syncing a library is based on the SharePoint site name, followed by the library / folder name - as shown below, the SharePoint site name for the private channel includes the name of the Team, plus the name of the channel.
You could, in theory, change the title of the site used for the private channel - but that would have to be done before you sync the library - and I'm not sure it would be a supported change, due to the special nature of the sites created for private channels.
Probably worth raising a ticket with MS to ask if there are any other options.
Rob Ellis ChrisHoardMVP I get the architecture, but from a UX perspective, it's confusing and shows too much of the inner workings of the application, IMHO.
It would be great for users if the names weren't so long. Especially in Explorer.
I can't find a Teams UserVoice on this one, looking for simplification. Has anyone come across one?
Ed
Found a UserVoice post for this here: -
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103-public/suggestions/39919093-private-channel-folder-name-is-duplicated-when-syn
And this one too which is related because the way private channels are created.
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103-public/suggestions/38994235-private-channels-should-not-create-a-site-collecti
Like the say these private channels should just create a sub folder with appropriate permissions within the parent team. Then users can just have one sync folder the team folder and not multiple sync folders for every private channel.
I know the new way of working is to do everything in teams and sharepoint etc, but we sync folders for our users as they are used to working that way and too big learning curve for everyone just to switch. Also when working with other applications that need to save into those locations we need the sync so users can browse to those locations.
Really hope MS improve this area.
Anthony
Rob Ellis, PDostiyar Thanks for your response!
It doesn't matter how many private channels I create, when I sync them, they always show up with the double name. See screenshot below: "EVG-IT - Management - Management"
The double name does not happen with standard channels.
Do you experience the same behavior when you sync private channels? If so, I guess this is working as designed?
Yes this is how it is Designed and Teams is structured so as ChrisHoardMVP mentioned in his post in detail it is not a duplication but rather it is the Teams Structure for private channels.
I know sometimes it is hard to convince the end-users but as we could see tons of great functionality and features with Microsoft Teams we could simply ignore it.
also a quick tip we have been asking our end-users on using the files tab with each channel if that is a private or standard channel so this way they wouldn't leave MS Teams and it is a one-stop-shop for them.
