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Can You Add a OneDrive Folder to Favorites? Workarounds & Tips
Question details
The user wants to know if there is a way to mark an entire OneDrive folder as a favorite to quickly access frequently used directories.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Organizing and attempting to quickly navigate to frequently accessed folders in the OneDrive interface.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive natively allows users to add individual files to favorites, but the feature to favorite entire folders is currently unsupported.
Ensure you are logged into your OneDrive account through a web browser or have the OneDrive application synced and running on your computer.
Create a Shortcut in 'My Files'
Since folder favoriting isn't supported, adding a folder shortcut to your main directory is the best native workaround in OneDrive.
Microsoft allows you to create shortcuts for shared or specific folders. This places a quick-access link directly in your main 'My files' view, which syncs across all your devices.
Open OneDrive in your web browser and locate the specific folder you want to access frequently.
Click the circle checkmark on the folder to select it, then click 'Add shortcut to My files' from the top command bar.
Return to the 'My files' section from the left navigation pane. Your folder shortcut will now appear there with a small link icon for quick access.
Pin Folders to Quick Access (Desktop)
If you primarily use OneDrive via the Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder, pinning the synced folder is a highly efficient alternative.
Use Web Browser Bookmarks
For users who manage their OneDrive files purely through a web browser, standard bookmarking acts as a direct link to the folder.
Manage Files and Folders Seamlessly with WPS Office
If navigating OneDrive limitations feels cumbersome, consider WPS Office as a lightweight, powerful, and free alternative. It provides excellent cloud synchronization, familiar folder management, and fully featured document editing without the heavy subscription fees.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office for free on your PC or mobile device.
- 2. Sign In to WPS Cloud: Open the application, log in to your account, and navigate to the 'Cloud' tab to start uploading your documents.
- 3. Organize Your Favorites: Right-click any frequently used file or folder within the WPS workspace to star it for instant access later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I favorite files but not folders in OneDrive?
Microsoft has currently designed the Favorites feature in OneDrive to only support individual files. The architecture for marking entire directories as favorites has not yet been rolled out natively.
How can I suggest adding the folder favorites feature to Microsoft?
You can provide feedback directly to Microsoft by opening any Microsoft 365 application (like Word or Excel), clicking on the 'File' tab, and selecting 'Feedback'. This submits your feature request straight to their development team.
Will creating a shortcut in OneDrive mess up my file organization?
No. A shortcut acts as a quick pointer to the original folder location. Deleting the shortcut later will only remove the quick link from your 'My files' view, leaving the original folder and its contents completely untouched.
Do browser bookmarks for OneDrive folders work on mobile devices?
Yes, if you sync your browser bookmarks between your desktop and mobile device, tapping the bookmark on your phone will attempt to open that specific folder in your mobile browser or redirect you to the OneDrive app.
