OneDrive - Issue with shared folder opening as a link on other PCs

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LCBXX

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I have a client who runs a small business. The client has a MS365 personal subscription and shares folders from their OneDrive with other partners who also have their own Office/OneDrive accounts.
The partners used to be able to add a shortcut to these shared folders, into their own OneDrive, and were able to open the folders directly within their Windows Explorer, and collaborate.

Since around 15 June, when the partners click the link, it opens their browser, instead of within Windows Explorer, and they have to access the content from the web-instance of OneDrive. Certain files, opened in the online Office instances, can be opened into the Office Apps and edited there where it gets saved directly to the shared OneDrive folder.
In other cases, the file opens and cannot be updated/saved directly to the shared OneDrive folder; they have to save it locally and then upload it via the browser to the shared OneDrive folder.

I see there is a support thread on this on MS Answers and an article on Newin.net on this.
https://www.neowin.net/news/onedriv...ly-became-internet-shortcuts-like-some-virus/

Any thoughts on what can be done to restore the functionality, where a OneDrive shared folder can be accessed directly via Windows Explorer and not via the browser only?
 
What they can do is in the OneDrive online portal, left pane they must just click on shared. Then ensure they are in the "With Me" portion (by default it should show this but in the window you can also see shared "by you").

On the specific file / folder, click the 3 dots. Go to add shortcut and then My Files.

This will then add it as a shortcut to their Desktop Folder

1719468061178.png








EDIT: I see the article you posted refers to doing this but still the shortcuts open via web. I can say this is not happening with me, but I am using Business Standard, not personal.
 
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acidrain said:
What they can do is in the OneDrive online portal, left pane they must just click on shared. Then ensure they are in the "With Me" portion (by default it should show this but in the window you can also see shared "by you").

On the specific file / folder, click the 3 dots. Go to add shortcut and then My Files.

This will then add it as a shortcut to their Desktop Folder

View attachment 1731785








EDIT: I see the article you posted refers to doing this but still the shortcuts open via web. I can say this is not happening with me, but I am using Business Standard, not personal.
Click to expand...
What I am noticing is that the client, and all their partners, have MS accounts, registered via GMail addresses. Not sure if this is something of significance.

I'm also thinking that they might need to move to the 365 Business packages; the cost here is however 3x what they currently pay for their current licencing.
 
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I managed to find a workaround for the issue:
It was possible to add direct-in-File Explorer links for each of the subdirectories for the parent-shared OneDrive location, when clicking the 'Add Shortcut' feature as shown by @acidrain, for each of the directories within the main shared path.

Though however still not as convenient, it does allow the client-partners to directly access the shared OneDrive content within File Explorer without it wanting to do so via a browser.

The issue also seems to be limited to people using Personal/Home/Family versions of MS365; MS365 Business instances are not affected by this.
 
Personally, I hate the OneDrive sync to File Explore feature and always encourage or enforce working in the browser wherever possible. Way too many issues. From library performance limits to multiple users causing shenanigans. Collaboration also works better opening directly from web it seems, if at all.

I only ever consider sync if it's one man with his own OneDrive.

I'm not sure if the shortcut is also considered a "sync" (I believe it is though, speaking under correction). Either way, knowing that Microsoft stopped supporting mapped drives to SharePoint Online a while ago I wonder if it's only a matter of time this would stop working in File Explorer too and just redirect. (Unless as hinted in previous post there's still a B2B link or guest account involved)

Heck, even the new Outlook is now just a web wrapper. Everything is going web now?
 
Last edited:
Bobbin said:
Personally, I hate the OneDrive sync to File Explore feature and always encourage or enforce working in the browser wherever possible. Way too many issues. From library performance limits to multiple users causing shenanigans. Collaboration also works better opening directly from web it seems, if at all.

I only ever consider sync if it's one man with his own OneDrive.

I'm not sure if the shortcut is also considered a "sync" (I believe it is though, speaking under correction). Either way, knowing that Microsoft stopped supporting mapped drives to SharePoint Online a while ago I wonder if it's only a matter of time this would stop working in File Explorer too and just redirect. (Unless as hinted in previous post there's still a B2B link or guest account involved)

Heck, even the new Outlook is now just a web wrapper. Everything is going web now?
Click to expand...
In all the cases I have this, the client and their partners have their own OneDrive and MS accounts.

There's still no feedback on the MS case on why this change happened; fortunately the workaround, though clunky, seems to work for now.
 

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 OneDrive internet shortcut bug - Windows Latest​

1720088558899.png

OneDrive users have been facing a weird bug in the Shared Folders feature. This bug impacts the accessibility of the shared folders, and they appear as internet shortcuts (URL links) rather than normal folders in the File Explorer.

When you click on a shared folder, it redirects you to the web version of OneDrive rather than opening the folder.

A OneDrive user created a post on the Microsoft Forum about this anomaly with the service on June 8, 2024. In a month, the post amassed nearly 12000 views with 192 replies and 916 users facing the same issue.

As the problem began occurring with thousands of users, Microsoft updated the top section of the webpage with an update on the issue.

“Some OneDrive users may see Shared Folders displayed as URL links in the OneDrive sync client and apps.” said the update note acknowledging the issue.

Apart from the folders appearing as links in File Explorer, many users are unable to sync them. Even if you try adding the folder to My Files, it creates an internet shortcut.

The issue seems to stem from the data synchronization and handling within the OneDrive service.

Surprisingly, a user blames the KB5037853 (May 2024 update) for the OneDrive issue. He sifted through Event Viewer logs and found an error related to OneDrive after installing the update. The shared folder issue began appearing after that.

But this could be a speculation or an isolated incident, as Microsoft hasn’t blamed the update for it.

How to fix the shared folder problem in OneDrive?​

While this is a widespread issue, Microsoft’s response is pretty standard. The forum post’s top section mentions that “OneDrive engineering is working on this issue, and URL links will convert back to display as folders once it is resolved. In the meantime, log in to your account at OneDrive.com anytime to access your shared folders.”

In a nutshell, bear with it while the devs hunt down the bug and patch it. You will have to use the web version of OneDrive to access the shared folder, which is a tad inconvenient.

Accessing it via File Explorer is easier, but it will only redirect you to OneDrive’s webpage at this point. Some users also tried the good old remedies: unlink the account and reinstall OneDrive. Sadly, these won’t work because the feature is buggy.

So, stay put while Microsoft fixes OneDrive. We’ll keep updating this post as new solutions appear.
Click to expand...

www.windowslatest.com

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 OneDrive internet shortcut bug

OneDrive's bug in shared folders, makes folders appear as internet shortcuts (URL links) rather than normal folders in the File Explorer.
www.windowslatest.com www.windowslatest.com
 
Update on this ALL DATA INACCESIBLE. Links point to folder that says access denied and glitches out trying to open the folder. See

We were waiting for them to revert links to folders but now the links no longer work.
Company currently has no access to their files at all.

If you have offline versions of your data back it up immediately.
 
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