Permission & Access Issues

Fix OneDrive Folder Deleted or Access Denied Error

John Wilson Oct 7, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is unable to open company files locally through OneDrive due to a folder deleted or access missing error, even though the files are still accessible online.

How to Fix OneDrive Folder Deleted or Access Denied Error

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to access and open synchronized company folders or files locally on a Windows PC using the OneDrive desktop client.
Observed behavior: OneDrive displays an error message stating that the folder was deleted or that permission is denied, blocking local file access while web access remains fully functional.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable and log into OneDrive Online to ensure the files have not been permanently deleted from the cloud server.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Synchronization in a New Windows User Profile

Create or log into a different Windows user profile to determine if the local file access issue is caused by a corrupted Windows profile.

A corrupted local Windows user profile can cause false permission errors in the OneDrive desktop client. Testing the synchronization in a fresh user environment helps isolate whether the problem is with the OneDrive service itself or just your specific Windows profile.

Create a new user profile

Open Windows Settings, navigate to Accounts, select Family & other users, and click Add someone else to this PC to create a new profile.

Log into the new profile

Sign out of your current Windows account and sign into the newly created profile.

Set up OneDrive

Launch the OneDrive desktop app in the new profile, sign in with your company credentials, and allow the files to synchronize.

Test file access

Navigate to the OneDrive folder and attempt to open the previously affected files to see if the access denied error persists.

Profile Corruption Identified: If OneDrive works perfectly on the new profile, your original Windows profile is corrupted. You can migrate your files to the new profile or contact IT to repair the old one.

Solution 2

Request IT Admin Review of Organization Policies

If the issue persists across different profiles, organizational policies or SharePoint permissions may be restricting your local access.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Edit Your Files Seamlessly with WPS Office

While waiting for IT to resolve your OneDrive access issues, you can download files from OneDrive Online and edit them using WPS Office. WPS Office is a lightweight, fully compatible suite that works perfectly with all Microsoft Office file formats.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button to get the installer.
2. Install the application: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and easily open the Microsoft Office files you downloaded from the cloud to resume your work.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Built-in cloud integration for secure file backup and seamless multi-device access.Lightweight application that consumes minimal system resources and opens files rapidly.Free to use with a familiar tabbed interface to boost productivity.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive say access is denied when I can see the files online?

This usually happens due to a corrupted local Windows user profile, misconfigured local file permissions, or restrictive synchronization policies deployed by your organization's IT department via Intune or Endpoint Manager.

Can I still work on my files while fixing this OneDrive error?

Yes, since the files are accessible online, you can log into OneDrive on your web browser to view, download, or edit the files using Office web applications or compatible software like WPS Office.

How do I know if my Windows profile is corrupted causing OneDrive errors?

The easiest way to check is by creating a new Windows user profile and setting up OneDrive there. If OneDrive syncs and opens files without the access denied error on the new profile, your original profile is likely corrupted.

Document & File Issues