OneDrive File Issues

Fix Documents Folder Displaying as OneDriveDocuments During Redirection

Muhammad Talha Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a folder naming issue where the redirected Documents folder appears as 'OneDriveDocuments' without a space instead of the standard 'Documents' name.

Fix Documents Folder Renamed to OneDriveDocuments During Redirection

Product: Microsoft OneDrive / Windows OS
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Moving a user to a new computer and redirecting the local Windows Documents folder to an existing OneDrive directory.
Observed behavior: During the redirection process, Windows incorrectly displays the folder name as 'OneDriveDocuments' instead of preserving the expected 'Documents' display name.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator privileges on the new Windows computer and that your OneDrive application is actively running and fully synced.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Software Versions and Re-apply Folder Redirection

Providing specific Windows and OneDrive version details helps identify bugs. Resetting the folder location and re-applying the redirection often clears naming glitches.

Folder redirection issues are frequently tied to specific builds of Windows or the OneDrive sync client. Gathering this information is the first step in troubleshooting, followed by a manual reset of the folder path.

Check Windows and OneDrive Versions

Go to Windows Settings > System > About to note your OS build. Then, right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, select Settings > About, and note the app version.

Restore the Default Documents Location

Open File Explorer, right-click the affected Documents folder, select 'Properties', navigate to the 'Location' tab, and click 'Restore Default'. Click 'Apply' to move the folder back to the local user profile.

Re-redirect to OneDrive

Once restored, go back to the 'Location' tab, click 'Move...', and manually navigate to your existing OneDrive Documents folder. Ensure the target folder is named exactly 'Documents' before confirming the move.

Verify Software Versions and Re-apply Folder Redirection

Sync Pause Recommended: It is highly recommended to pause OneDrive syncing temporarily while altering system folder locations to prevent file duplication.

Solution 2

Correct the Folder Display Name via Desktop.ini

Windows uses a hidden file called desktop.ini to determine the specialized display names for system folders. Editing it can fix the missing space.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Documents folder appear as 'OneDriveDocuments' without a space?

This happens when the hidden desktop.ini file, which dictates how system folders are displayed in File Explorer, becomes corrupted or is overwritten incorrectly during the OneDrive folder redirection process.

Can I simply right-click and rename the folder in File Explorer?

Renaming a system-level redirected folder directly in File Explorer is not recommended, as it can break background registry paths. You should always use the 'Location' tab in the folder's Properties menu to manage redirection.

Will restoring the default folder location delete my files?

No, restoring the default location only changes where Windows routes the folder path. However, Windows will ask if you want to move the existing files to the new location. Always ensure you have a backup before confirming.

Document & File Issues