Overview
In late February and early March 2025, many OneDrive Shared Folder users reported a serious syncing issue where shared folders disappeared from File Explorer on Windows 10/11. Instead of normal folders, affected users either saw an empty folder or saw “.URL” internet shortcut files, which only redirected them to OneDrive’s web portal rather than providing local access to shared files.
Microsoft has officially acknowledged the bug and confirmed that their engineering team is working on a fix. However, as of early March 2025, there is no client-side solution, and users must rely on temporary workarounds.
Issue Summary: OneDrive Shared Folders Vanishing
Starting February 22–24, 2025, users began reporting that shared folders in OneDrive disappeared from local PCs and were replaced with .URL files. These shortcuts directed users to OneDrive’s web interface instead of providing synced local access. The issue:
- Affected multiple linked devices overnight without any error message or warning.
- Shared folders appeared “deleted” locally, often ending up in the Recycle Bin.
- Users confirmed no recent settings changes were made before the issue occurred.
Several reports surfaced on Microsoft Community forums, Neowin, WinBuzzer, and AskWoody (Microsoft confirms OneDrive shared folders are indeed turning into internet shortcuts, 2025; OneDrive Shared Folder Syncing Has Been Broken for Months, 2025).
User Report Example:
"This happened randomly overnight on both of my laptops… it’s a server-side issue with OneDrive." — (AskWoody Forum, 2025).
Microsoft’s Response: Acknowledgment & Official Statement
✅ Microsoft Recognizes the Bug
Microsoft formally acknowledged the issue on its support page, stating:
“Some OneDrive shared folders shortcuts located in your My Files folder may show up as .URL internet shortcuts instead of actual folders. If you try to open the folder shortcut, it opens as a webpage instead of a folder.”
The company also confirmed:
- This is a known issue affecting many users.
- The problem is not caused by user settings—it’s a server-side bug.
- No client-side fix exists yet, but Microsoft is working on a resolution.
A Microsoft support agent further clarified:
“We are committed to resolving this as quickly as possible, but there is no estimated time for a fix yet.” — (TechMesto, 2025).
Workarounds & Temporary Solutions
Since this is a Microsoft service-side issue, traditional troubleshooting like resetting OneDrive or re-adding the shared folder does not work. However, users can try the following temporary solutions:
1️⃣ Access the Shared Folder via OneDrive Web
Log into OneDrive.com and navigate to “Shared” to view the missing files.
2️⃣ Avoid Deleting .URL Shortcut Files
Do not delete the “.URL” shortcut files—Microsoft states that once the issue is resolved, these will automatically convert back to normal folders.
3️⃣ If a Folder Disappeared, Ask the Owner to Re-Share It
If the shared folder is completely missing from OneDrive web, the original owner must re-share the folder with you.
4️⃣ Recover Missing Files from OneDrive Recycle Bin
️ If files appear deleted, check OneDrive’s Recycle Bin via the web interface.
(Microsoft, 2025; Add and Sync Shared Folders to OneDrive, 2025).
⏳ Status Update & Expected Fix Timeline
As of March 3, 2025, Microsoft has not yet deployed a fix. The company has promised that:
✔️ The bug is actively being worked on.
✔️ Shared folders will restore automatically when the fix is rolled out.
✔️ Users should monitor Microsoft’s support page for updates.
Has This Happened Before?
Yes—a similar OneDrive shared-folder glitch was reported in June 2024. Microsoft eventually fixed that issue, but the recent Feb–Mar 2025 recurrence suggests it may have resurfaced (Neowin, 2025).
Conclusion
✅ Microsoft has confirmed that this OneDrive shared folder issue is a known bug.
A fix is in progress, but no estimated resolution date has been announced.
For now, users must access shared folders via OneDrive web and avoid deleting the .URL shortcuts.
⚡ We will update this article once Microsoft releases a confirmed fix.
References (APA Format)
- Microsoft. (2025, March 3). Add and sync shared folders to OneDrive for home - Microsoft Support. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com
- Neowin. (2025, March 2). Microsoft confirms OneDrive shared folders are indeed turning into internet shortcuts. Retrieved from https://www.neowin.net
- TechMesto. (2025, March 2). OneDrive shared folders are turning into web links & cannot sync with Windows Explorer. Retrieved from https://www.techmesto.com
- WinBuzzer. (2025, March 2). OneDrive Shared Folder Syncing Has Been Broken for Months, With No Fix in Sight. Retrieved from https://winbuzzer.com
- AskWoody. (2025, March 1). Topic: OneDrive shared folders in File Explorer. Retrieved from https://www.askwoody.com
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