Forum Discussion
Private channel - sync to explorer doubles the site name
- 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
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, 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.
PDostiyar Do you know why the local syncrhonized SPO Site from a MS Teams Privat channels appear a locked in Windows explorer? No permissions to write, just read. Which is the sense of Sync then?
How could I synchronize a SPO Site from a MS Teams Privat channel in Windows Explorer in order to use those folders to EDIT (write permissions)?
- Here is quick tip,
First and foremost I would not sync and rather use the teams Files tab which gives you rich experience unless if you need to sync to local drive and windows explorer then you should be able to do it but have to be a member or owner of that private channels.
Please let me know if further informations are needed.
Regards
- 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- This is an awful design and wastes a lot of space and causes confusion. Surely MS can come up with something better.
- Hi - this is still a problem and I'm surprised that the official response to "this is a huge UI/UX issue" is "we planned it that way." Teams sync is used by many people with limited computer knowledge, not being able to even rename the shortcuts is a huge mistake.
- Agree. This is not logical at all from a user perspective. Nobody cares about the design of the Sharepoint sites and libraries in the background (except the admin) .
Having a understandable structure is a basic requirement. I really like the advantages Teams, Sharepoint and OneDrive provide. But sometimes I wonder, if the designers of the UX ever talked to an enduser.
Here a feature-request I've posted recently. Something in that direction would be nice:
https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/945df97d-9337-ee11-a81c-6045bdbbbc93
ChrisHoardMVPThis may be as designed but it is a terrible design. It looks like something is wrong and it takes up too much space. MS should fix this.
