OneDrive sync causes workflow inefficiencies and UX issues in Microsoft 365 and File Explorer
I would like to describe some workflow issues caused by the current integration between OneDrive, Windows, File Explorer, and Microsoft 365 apps. I understand that OneDrive is designed to synchronize files across devices, but in some scenarios the current behavior creates unnecessary delays, especially with slow internet connections or large synchronization queues. 1. Exported Microsoft 365 files are not immediately available in the selected OneDrive folder When exporting a Microsoft 365 file, for example exporting a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document to PDF, the user can select a OneDrive-synced folder as the destination. However, the exported file is not always immediately visible or accessible in that folder through Windows File Explorer. From the user’s perspective, it seems that the file is first saved into a temporary or internal Microsoft 365/OneDrive staging location, then uploaded to OneDrive, and only later appears in the actual synced folder through the normal synchronization process. The issue is not that the file is never stored locally, but that it is not immediately available in the location explicitly selected by the user. This creates practical problems. After exporting a PDF, I may need to quickly locate it in File Explorer to copy it elsewhere, attach it, upload it to another platform, or use it in a web tool to merge it with other PDFs. However, even though I selected a OneDrive folder as the destination, the file may not be available there right away. A related issue is that Microsoft 365 or Windows may open the exported file through a browser or web link instead of opening the local file directly. This can trigger login prompts, open the web version of Office, and interrupt the expected desktop workflow. Expected behavior: When saving or exporting a file to a OneDrive-synced folder, the file should become immediately visible and accessible in the selected folder in File Explorer, while OneDrive continues uploading or syncing it in the background. If the user selected a local OneDrive path, Microsoft 365 should prioritize the local file workflow and avoid redirecting to the browser unless explicitly requested. 2. File duplication inside OneDrive should use both cloud-side copy and local optimization Another issue occurs when duplicating or copying a file that is already stored in OneDrive, especially within the same OneDrive account. Currently, the process may behave like a traditional local copy: the file is downloaded if needed, copied locally, and then uploaded again as a new file. This is inefficient when OneDrive already has the source file in the cloud and the operation is simply a copy within the same account. Ideally, OneDrive should combine two optimizations: Perform a cloud-side copy when possible, so the duplicated file appears quickly in OneDrive online and on other devices. Reuse the local cache when available, so the current device does not unnecessarily download and re-upload the same data. This would make copied files appear faster on other devices as online-only placeholders, ready to be downloaded later if the user opens them or marks them as available offline. The other device should not have to wait for the first computer to download, copy, re-upload, and then synchronize the change. Expected behavior: When copying or duplicating a OneDrive file within the same account, OneDrive should use a cloud-side copy whenever possible, while also reusing local data when available. The copied file should appear quickly across devices as an online-available item, without forcing a redundant download, local copy, upload, and synchronization cycle. 3. OneDrive does not dynamically prioritize files the user needs immediately A third issue appears when OneDrive has a large backlog of pending synchronization changes, especially after using another computer. In this situation, OneDrive seems to follow its own synchronization order, even if the user opens a specific folder or tries to access a specific file urgently. For example, if there are hundreds or thousands of pending changes, and I need one specific document, that file may remain unavailable until OneDrive reaches it in the queue. Even when I navigate directly to the folder or attempt to open the file, OneDrive does not seem to move that item to the top of the sync priority. Expected behavior: OneDrive should dynamically adjust synchronization priority based on user activity. If the user opens a folder, selects a file, or attempts to open a cloud-only item, that file and its immediate dependencies should be prioritized over the general sync queue. Summary of requested improvements I believe these issues could be improved with smarter local and cloud prioritization: Exported or saved files should become immediately visible in the OneDrive folder selected by the user. Microsoft 365 should avoid opening exported files through a browser when the local file workflow is expected. Copying files within the same OneDrive account should use cloud-side copy operations when possible. Local file data should be reused to avoid unnecessary download and upload cycles. Copied files should appear quickly on other devices as online-available placeholders. OneDrive should prioritize files and folders the user is actively trying to access. Is this behavior expected, or are there settings to make OneDrive prioritize local file availability, cloud-side copy operations, and currently accessed files more intelligently?
Moving files out of unlinked, unsynced and disabled onedrive
I am out of storage space on my PC -Windows 11 and get reminders of that everyday. To help solve that problem I would like to move MyDocuments (a huge file) to Drive D. Here is the potential problem. I unlinked, unsynced and removed OneDrive in 2020, or so I thought. I still see the OneDrive symbol in Microsoft Explorer above the line from Drive C and other drives. Most of my files are accessible in Drive C, but not MyDocuments, Desktop, and some others. They can only be opened thru OneDrive. This always puzzled me, but since all my files are accessible to me, I haven't worried about it. Now I'm concerned that OneDrive still has its tentacles around some of my files. MyDocuments and Desktop are being updated, but my files in the cloud are seriously out of date. What does that tell me? If they are still tied to OneDrive somehow, does that complicate the removal of those files to Drive D?
Microsoft Teams File Permissions: Why Can't I Remove Direct Access?
While working with files stored in Microsoft Teams, I recently encountered an issue related to file permissions that may affect other users as well. A file was uploaded to a Microsoft Teams channel, which means it is physically stored in the SharePoint document library connected to the Team. At some point, direct access permissions were granted to an individual user using the Manage Access feature. Later, when attempting to remove this direct permission, the option was no longer available. What Happened? The file's permission overview shows that the user has Direct Access (View Only) permissions. However, when opening the permission details, SharePoint displays the following message: "Grant access is unavailable because you are not the owner of this item." Although the file was originally uploaded by the user attempting to manage permissions, SharePoint does not recognize that user as the owner of the item for permission management purposes. As a result: The granted permission remains visible. Permission levels (View, Edit, Block Download) can be selected. The Remove Access option is missing. Changes cannot be applied because the user is not considered the owner.
Please help, OneDrive sync and missing/deleted work files
I have OneDrive installed on both my PC and laptop because I use OneNote sometimes. The other day while I was on my PC, OneDrive randomly decided to sync my laptop and PC, I think, and all my files from my laptop were on my PC. This is a big problem because my PC is for personal use and laptop for work. Then I deleted some files thinking they were still on my laptop anyways. But today when I opened my laptop, all of my work files were gone. My desktop was just my PC desktop. I need help because the work files were really really important and I'm freaking out. Why would OneDrive do this? They are separate, I don't want them synced. Please help. Can I recover them?
onedrive sync issues
Hi We use OneDrive for Business and need a solution for sharing files and folders among a team while maintaining proper access permissions. Currently, each team member's Desktop and Documents folders are synced with their own personal OneDrive for Business account. In addition, we have a separate common OneDrive account that has been added to all team members' PCs, and all team members have Owner permissions on that account. When a user creates a folder or saves a file in the shared OneDrive location, it is actually being created under the common OneDrive account, not in the user's personal OneDrive. While this allows everyone to access the same files, we frequently experience synchronization conflicts and sync issues between users. What is the Microsoft-recommended approach for this type of collaboration? Is using a common OneDrive account with multiple owners a supported best practice, or should we instead use a SharePoint document library (or another Microsoft 365 solution) for shared team files, permissions, and reliable synchronization? ThanksOutlook attachments and OneDrive recent files
In Outlook Web App and the new Outlook app, the Add Attachment button displays 3 Suggested files and allows you to browse OneDrive. When you choose OneDrive, it displays a list of Recent files. What criteria is used to determine the list of suggested and recent files? I've seen very random behaviour. Sometimes, I'll open a document in SharePoint Online and when I try to attach it to an Outlook emial, it appears in the Suggested files list and the Recent files straight away. Other times it only shows up after I reload the browser tab. It's more likely to show up as one of the 3 suggested files, without needing a refresh. However I've also had it show up under OneDrive Recent files only. It doesn't appear to detect new files uploaded to SharePoint Online or OneDrive. For example, I download a PDF from another website and save it to a folder on my computer that syncs back to SharePoint Online. I then want to email this PDF to someone, but it's not available from the Outlook attachments button. I need to open the file before it shows up under the Outlook attachments button. It would be much more useful if Outlook picked up on files I recently created as well as opened.
SharePoint Library Help Needed
I have a SharePoint Library where I would like to implement these requirements below and would appreciate your advise: Folders were created at the library level, which looks like the image below. I do not want people to be able to create any folders or upload documents or folders at the library level, but rather only when they open the folders. I have disabled folder creation and created a PowerApps form, so that users can only upload document, edit documents, view details of the documents when they open any of the folders., but I cannot seem to find the Power Apps form when I open any of the folders and try to upload a document or view a document or edit the document details. 2. I have a choice column called Fiscal Year which has options as = FY22, FY 23, FY24, FY25, FY26. By March 2026, I would like to create an automate flow which will auto create FY27 and remove FY22 from the choice, so that the choice column is always limited to only 5 years.Don't expire attached chat files | Show a warning.
Teams allows users to upload files to share with others in a chat. These files inherit the organization's sharing policy. So whether you use Share or Copy Link in SharePoint or OneDrive or you use Attach File in Teams, the same default policy is applied. The issue, what makes the Teams experience different from SharePoint / OneDrive, is that the message with the attached file persists in the chat. A file that was attached to a conversation two months ago appears to still be in the chat. However, the default policy blocks access to the file that appears present. Moreover, there is no method for the sender to alter the sharing policy using the Attach function. When this an issue, this is a HUGE issue. Suggestions: Actually attach the attached file and store in the recipient's Attachments folder. Don't use a paperclip icon that says "Attach file" for files that aren't actually attachments. Warn the sender that the attached file inherits the organization's 'Share with anyone' policy and may expire. Prompt the sender to alter the sharing link before sending. Put a timer on the attachment showing the countdown to expiration. After the expiration date, the file should be labeled "Your organization's sharing policy has expired access to this file". Add a button for the recipient to request access to the file again.
OneDrive app synchronisation
I added a folder last night to my OneDrive on my computer. It synchronised to the cloud. If I share the link to this folder, it works perfectly. However, if I open the app, the folder does not show (even after 24 hours). Searching for the folder name (which takes forever btw) yields the right folder. Why is the folder not visible in the place where it should be? And why does the search yield zillions of results instead of just 1?
