OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Documents Changed to TXT Files That Will Not Open

Adam Davis Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user's OneDrive documents have been replaced by .txt files containing single sharing links. They need to know how to resolve this and whether deleting the text files will erase the original documents.

How to Fix OneDrive Documents Changed to TXT Files That Will Not Open

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing synced or shared documents in a OneDrive folder.
Observed behavior: Original documents appear to be renamed or converted into .txt files that only contain a sharing link and cannot be opened as normal documents.

Before you start

Log in to your OneDrive account through a web browser to verify that your original files and photos are still safely stored in the cloud before deleting any local files.

Solution 1Recommended

Safely Delete TXT Files and Remove Sharing Permissions

Delete the text shortcuts from your device and use the OneDrive web interface to manage your file sharing settings.

The .txt files you are seeing are not your actual documents; they are simply shortcuts containing sharing links. Deleting them will not harm your original files or affect connected devices like picture frames.

Verify Original Files Online

Open a web browser, navigate to the OneDrive website, and log in to ensure your original documents or photos are still present in your account.

Delete the TXT Links

Select the .txt files in your local folder and delete them. This only removes the local sharing link shortcuts.

Manage Access in OneDrive

To stop sharing, locate the original files or folder on the OneDrive website, right-click them, select 'Manage Access', and remove the sharing permissions.

Safely Delete TXT Files and Remove Sharing Permissions

Files Secured: Once sharing permissions are removed, OneDrive will stop generating these text link shortcuts for external devices or users.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my OneDrive files turn into TXT files?

Your original files did not actually change. The .txt files you see are shortcut files generated by OneDrive or a third-party app to share a link to your original document or photo.

Will deleting these TXT files delete my original OneDrive data?

No. Deleting the .txt files that contain sharing links only removes the local shortcut. Your original files remain completely safe in your online OneDrive account.

How do I get my original documents back on my computer?

You can log into the OneDrive website via your browser, locate your original documents or photos, and download them directly to your computer.

How can I stop OneDrive from generating these text links?

You can prevent this by revoking sharing access. Go to OneDrive online, right-click the shared folder or file, select 'Manage Access', and remove all sharing permissions.

Document & File Issues