How to Fix OneDrive Shared Folder Not Showing in Explorer

What Is OneDrive Shared Folder?

OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud service, lets you store, share, and secure your files while accessing them from any device—laptops, phones, or PCs. A OneDrive shared folder contains files and subfolders that others have shared with you, often for collaboration within an organization.

When connected through a work or school account, it's referred to as OneDrive for Business. In this version, shared folders can easily be viewed and managed in File Explorer, just like your personal OneDrive files.

How Do I Add a Shared OneDrive Folder in File Explorer

Small business owners can create a single shared folder called "Company" to share with other employees. With just a few clicks, other employees can see "Company" in File Explorer. There is no need to go to the OneDrive website. Subfolders and all files can be browsed and searched, and they don't take up any hard drive space.

Next, I'll walk you through the exact steps to display the OneDrive folder in File Explorer. If you've already added shared folders, but you're having issues with OneDrive shared folder not showing in Explorer, we suggest you skip this section and go to the next section for a solution.

1. Log in to your OneDrive account and create a shared folder called "Company".
2. Click Private in the Sharing column to open the Manage Access pane. Under Direct access, add the employees who will have access to the shared folder. Check the box Notify people and click Grant access.

3. Each employee will receive an email inviting them to open the shared folder. Click the Open button. The OneDrive website will open.

4. Click the Sync button at the top. Several windows will appear asking for permission to do something useful, tap OK.
5. Then, you have successfully added the OneDrive shared folder in Files Explorer.

Fixes for OneDrive Shared Folder Not Showing in Explorer

OneDrive has become a crucial tool in Windows 10/11, especially for business users who rely on Office apps. However, some users experience the issue of OneDrive shared folders not appearing in File Explorer, which can be frustrating.

While this is an uncommon problem, it can still occur. If you're facing this issue, don't worry—there are a few solutions you can try to resolve it.

Method 1. Update Windows to the Latest Version

It's possible that your version of Windows hasn't been updated in a long time, causing OneDrive shared folders to not show up in Explorer. Many OneDrive compatibility issues have actually been resolved in newer versions of Windows.

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings on the computer.
2. Click Update & Security > Windows Update, and then click the Check for updates button.

3. If there is an update, please download it. Then check if OneDrive shows shared folders in File Explorer.

Method 2. Update the OneDrive Desktop App Manually

By default, the OneDrive application is updated automatically. However, some users will turn off automatic updates in the settings. Outdated OneDrive applications may continue to have new issues, including the OneDrive shared folder not showing in Explorer. You can resolve this issue by manually updating the OneDrive application.

1. Go to the OneDrive website, click Download, and install the latest version of the app on your computer.
2. Click the Start button on your computer. Type OneDrive in the search box and click on the top result to launch it.

Method 3. Reset OneDrive Application

You can also choose to reset OneDrive to see if you can get the shared folders to show up in File Explorer. This is one of the common and most effective ways to resolve various issues with OneDrive.

🎇 Note: After resetting OneDrive, all tasks will be restarted, including re-syncing all files.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.  Type: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe/reset, and click OK to continue.

2. Sign in with your account information to connect to OneDrive, right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, and click Settings.
3. Under the Settings tab, check the Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows, then click OK.

Best Alternative to Syncing Shared Folders to OneDrive

Many users have encountered different issues with OneDrive, and the problem of shared folders not showing in Explorer is just one example. Others include "OneDrive not connected" and "OneDrive sync pending" When OneDrive fails or crashes, it can take up a lot of time and effort to troubleshoot and resolve these problems.

If you're frustrated with continually fixing OneDrive issues, you might consider switching to an alternative. A great option is AOMEI Backupper Standard, a free file sync software that can help you back up shared folders to the cloud seamlessly. With this software, you can:

🎨 Choose from various sync options: Select from “Basic Sync,” “Mirror Sync,” “Real-Time Sync,” and “Two-Way Sync” to match your needs. The latter three are available for the Pro version. 🎨 Sync to multiple storage locations: You can sync your files to various cloud services (like Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon Drive), NAS devices, internal or external drives, and USB drives. 🎨 Set up automatic sync tasks: Use this feature to keep frequently updated files synchronized automatically, saving you time and avoiding manual updates. 🎨 Comprehensive protection for your system and data: Besides syncing, this tool also offers backup, restore, and cloning options. You can back up your system and quickly restore your computer to its previous state if any issues arise.

Steps to Sync Multiple Shared Folders to OneDrive

After understanding the basic information of this software, you can refer to the following steps to backup multiple folders to OneDrive for easy browsing by multiple people. First, download AOMEI Backupper Standard on your computer. This version only supports Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista. For server users, try AOMEI Backupper Server!

1. Start AOMEI Backupper, click Sync in the list on the left, and select Basic Sync on the right.

2. Then, you click Add Folder and select the files or folders from your computer that you want to share to OneDrive.

Tips: 🤿 If you want to sync multiple folders at the same time, click the "+" icon after adding the first source folder. 🤿 You can also choose to enable Filter settings (supported in Pro) to include or exclude folders and sync files with a certain file extension instead of all files.

3. Next, select your OneDrive cloud service path as the destination. Most cloud services folders are located by default in the C: \Users\UserName\OneDrive directory.

4. Then click Start Backup to back up the files or folders to the cloud. Wait until the operation is complete and click Finish.

Common Causes for OneDrive Shared Folder Not Showing in Explorer

1. Syncing Issues: The most frequent cause for shared folders not appearing is due to syncing errors within OneDrive. If the folder isn't synced properly, it won’t be visible in File Explorer.

2. Folder Permissions: Sometimes, the owner of the folder might not have granted you the right permissions to view or edit the folder, preventing it from showing up.

3. Outdated OneDrive Application: An outdated version of OneDrive can also lead to glitches such as missing shared folders, as certain updates are necessary for smooth functionality.

4. Corrupted OneDrive Cache: A corrupt cache or file can prevent OneDrive from correctly displaying shared folders in Explorer.

FAQs: OneDrive Shared Folder Not Showing in Explorer

Q 1: How can I manually sync my OneDrive folders?

A 1: To manually sync, click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, navigate to the "Account" tab, and select "Choose folders." Make sure the shared folder is selected for syncing, and click "Sync now."

Q 2: Why is my OneDrive app outdated?

A 2: Automatic updates might have been disabled on your system. To ensure proper functionality, regularly check for updates and manually update the app if necessary.

Q 3: How do I fix a corrupted OneDrive cache?

A 3: You can clear the OneDrive cache by going to your OneDrive settings, navigating to the "Account" tab, and selecting "Unlink this PC." Afterward, reboot your computer and re-link your account.

Helpful Tips for Preventing OneDrive Folder Issues

1. Regularly Check Sync Status: Always ensure that your OneDrive folders are syncing properly, especially after adding new shared folders.

2. Keep OneDrive Updated: Regular updates prevent many common issues, including missing shared folders.

3. Manage Permissions Efficiently: Ensure that the shared folder owner grants the appropriate permissions to prevent access issues.

Summary

If your OneDrive shared folder not showing in Explorer, you can refer to this article for help. The main purpose of creating a OneDrive shared folder is to allow more people to access files on OneDrive, which can be useful for many businesses.

OneDrive can be a great convenience for sharing files, but there are different problems encountered during the use. The problems in this article are just one of them, so if you don't want to go through the trouble of finding a solution every time, it is advisable to use a more versatile file sync software – AOMEI Backupper to help you sync the files or folders you want to share to OneDrive.