Onedrive Shortcuts | Add/Remove

Overview

OneDrive shortcuts provide a streamlined way to access shared folders and files directly from your OneDrive without duplicating content or consuming additional storage. However, understanding the distinction between shortcuts and syncing is essential to avoid conflicts and ensure proper access.

Sync vs Shortcut

You can either sync or shortcut a shared folder or file to your OneDrive but not at the same time.

• Syncing downloads the folder or file to your device and keeps it updated with the online version. This is ideal for offline access and frequent editing.
• Shortcutting creates a link to the shared item in your OneDrive. It opens the online version and uses minimal local storage.

Note: If you want to switch from syncing to shortcutting (or vice versa), you must first remove the existing sync or shortcut. Attempting to apply both will result in errors or failed sync attempts.

Important Considerations

• Do not delete a shortcut or synced folder directly from your OneDrive unless you intend to delete it for all users. Instead, use the Remove shortcut or Stop syncing options.
• Shortcuts are links, not copies. Removing a shortcut does not affect the original folder or file.
• If a folder or file is no longer shared with you, its shortcut will automatically be removed from your OneDrive.

Where to Find Shortcuts

Shortcuts appear in the OneDrive web app under the My files section. If you sync OneDrive to your computer, shortcuts also appear in your local OneDrive folder. They are identified by a chain icon, indicating they are linked items.

How to Add Shortcuts

To add a shortcut to a shared folder or file:

1. Open the OneDrive web app or navigate to the shared item via SharePoint.
2. Locate the folder or file you want to shortcut.
3. Click Add shortcut to My files, or right-click the item and select the same option.

The shortcut will now appear in your OneDrive under My files.

How to Remove Shortcuts

To remove a shortcut from your OneDrive:

1. Open the OneDrive web app and go to My files.
2. Locate the shortcut (look for the chain icon).
3. Select the shortcut and choose Remove shortcut.

This action only removes the shortcut from your OneDrive. The original folder or file remains accessible via SharePoint or the Shared view in OneDrive.

Additional Notes

• If you want to sync a folder that is currently shortcut-ed, you must first remove the shortcut.
• Microsoft recommends using shortcuts over syncing for large SharePoint libraries to improve performance and reduce local storage usage.
• Shortcuts now include the source site or owner name in their title to help distinguish between multiple shared items.
• Files accessed via shortcuts can be made available offline using the Files On-Demand feature.