SharePoint Document Issues

Fix AutoCAD Files Moving to a Temporary OneDrive Folder from SharePoint

Phi Hung Vo Sep 25, 2026 870 views

Question details

Opening AutoCAD files stored in SharePoint causes them to be moved to a temporary OneDrive folder instead of remaining in the original SharePoint library.

How to Fix AutoCAD Files Moving to a Temporary OneDrive Folder from SharePoint

Product: SharePoint Online, AutoCAD
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: A user attempts to open an AutoCAD (.dwg) file directly from a SharePoint document library using AutoCAD 2025.
Observed behavior: The .dwg file disappears from its original SharePoint location and is moved to a local OneDrive temporary folder, preventing it from saving back to SharePoint.

Before you start

Verify whether the SharePoint document library is currently synchronized to your local computer via the OneDrive sync client, and ensure you have a backup copy of the affected .dwg files before troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify SharePoint Synchronization and File Specifics

Rule out synchronization conflicts by checking if the SharePoint library is properly synced to the local machine via OneDrive and testing other file formats.

SharePoint integration with third-party software like AutoCAD can sometimes fail if the local sync client is not actively maintaining the connection. Verifying sync status helps determine if the issue is a network disconnect or an application-specific glitch.

Check OneDrive Sync Status

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows system tray and verify if the specific SharePoint site is actively syncing or if it displays sync errors.

Test other file types

Create a test Microsoft Word or Excel document in the exact same SharePoint directory. Open it to see if it remains in place, which confirms the issue is isolated to AutoCAD.

Test different AutoCAD files

Upload a new .dwg file to the SharePoint library and open it. If it stays in the library, the issue may be limited to specific older files rather than a global application error.

Verify SharePoint Synchronization and File Specifics

Colleague Testing: Since another user can open AutoCAD files correctly in the same SharePoint site, the issue is likely related to your local computer's environment or sync client rather than the SharePoint server.

Solution 2

Create a New Windows User Profile

A corrupted Windows user profile can cause OneDrive and SharePoint sync irregularities when processing temporary paths.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft or Autodesk Support

If the issue persists despite local troubleshooting, escalate the problem to official support channels.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my SharePoint files open in a local temporary folder instead of online?

This typically occurs when a desktop application (like AutoCAD) does not fully support Direct Cloud Path editing. The system forces a download of a temporary local copy to a OneDrive cache folder so the application can read it.

Does this issue affect all file types stored in SharePoint?

Generally, native Microsoft Office files like Word or Excel open directly from SharePoint without moving. If AutoCAD files are the only ones affected, the issue is specific to how Autodesk software interacts with SharePoint URLs.

How do I stop OneDrive from moving my SharePoint files?

Ensure your SharePoint library is synchronized locally using the OneDrive desktop client. Opening files from the synced local directory in File Explorer usually prevents applications from fetching and moving files dynamically from the web URL.

Can a corrupted Windows profile cause SharePoint synchronization issues?

Yes, corrupted user profiles can mismanage temporary file paths, folder permissions, and credential caches. Testing file behavior on a newly created Windows user profile is a standard way to isolate this issue.

Document & File Issues