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Fix OneDrive Folder Opening HP Utility Instead of Finder on Mac
Question details
Clicking the OneDrive synced folder opens the HP Utility application instead of Finder, and the folder icon appears as a white printer icon.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Accessing locally synced OneDrive files via macOS Finder.
- Observed behavior
- The macOS file association for the OneDrive folder is broken, causing it to be treated as an HP Utility document rather than a standard Finder directory.
Ensure that your macOS and the OneDrive desktop application are updated to their latest versions, and temporarily close the HP Utility app if it is running in the background.
Restore Folder Association via the Get Info Window
Manually correct the file association so macOS knows to open the OneDrive folder with Finder instead of a third-party utility.
macOS relies on default app associations to open specific file and folder types. Occasionally, third-party software installations or tenant migrations can corrupt these associations.
Open Finder and navigate to the directory that contains your OneDrive folder. Do not double-click the OneDrive folder itself.
Single-click the OneDrive folder to select it, then press Command+I on your keyboard, or right-click the folder and choose 'Get Info'.
Scroll down to the 'Open With' section in the Get Info window. Select 'Finder' from the dropdown menu, and then click the 'Change All' button to apply this setting.
Reset the macOS OneDrive App
If the folder association cannot be manually changed, resetting the OneDrive client can rebuild the folder structure and icons properly.
Test in a New macOS User Profile
Create a temporary local user account to determine if the issue is tied to your specific macOS user profile preferences.
Manage Your Cloud Files Seamlessly with WPS Office
If you are experiencing ongoing issues with Microsoft's local syncing or folder associations on macOS, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible alternative that lets you connect directly to cloud storage without relying on local folder syncing.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office for free on your Mac.
- 2. Connect Cloud Storage: Open WPS Office, navigate to the Cloud settings, and log into your preferred cloud drives directly within the application.
- 3. Edit and Save Effortlessly: Open your Microsoft Office files straight from the cloud, edit them, and save your progress automatically without interacting with broken local folder icons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my OneDrive folder look like a blank white document or printer icon?
This happens when macOS loses the correct folder association or custom icon metadata. The system becomes confused about how to open the directory and may default to a utility application like HP Utility by mistake.
What if the 'Open With' option is missing in the Get Info window?
If 'Open With' is not visible, macOS recognizes the item strictly as a system folder rather than an associated file. Resetting the OneDrive app using its built-in reset command script is the most reliable way to rebuild the folder attributes.
Can migrating to a new Microsoft tenant cause this folder issue?
Yes, migrating an organization to a new tenant can alter the underlying permissions, metadata, and syncing paths of your local directories. This disruption can sometimes break macOS folder associations or corrupt folder icons.
