Forum Discussion
Unable to Delete Doc Library synced folder from Windows Explorer
Like you can sync just a folder inside a library, are you trying to delete a folder within that sync, or the actual folder you sync'd itself?
I'm talking about a document library that shows up a first level folder under the tenant in Windows Explorer.
One of my clients stated that they accidentally deleted an entire library from Windows Explorer and i'm trying to figure out how that could have happened because I cant do it.
Hi Dean_Gross.
If I understand well what you mean, you are correct: AFAIK, it is not possible to delete an entire synced document library using exclusively File Explorer.
In fact, as you have already found, File Explorer refuses to delete folders representing synced (i.e. with the green check mark) libraries under the "tenant" tree that appears in the left pane.
Of course, you can empty a synced library from File Explorer, but not delete it entirely.
In order to delete the library folder from the "tenant" tree, you must first stop the synchronization from the OneDrive client UI. After you have done it, the green checkmark will disappear from the corresponding folder icon and, at that point, you are able to actually delete the folder from the "tenant" tree in the left panel of File Explorer. No restart of the client or of the computer is needed before deleting the (not anymore synced) library.
- Yeah, it's not possible to delete and actual document library from the onedrive client. So I would question that one :P.
But yeah you cannot delete the root folder, you have to "Unconfigure" that folder from sync. Then restart onedrive client services / reboot before you can remove the local folder that's left behind.
