'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix OneDrive for Mac Moving Deleted Files to the Root Folder
Question details
Users experience an issue where deleted OneDrive files are relocated to the root folder instead of being properly sent to the macOS Trash.
- Product
- OneDrive for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Ventura or newer
- Scenario
- Deleting files in the OneDrive folder using a third-party file manager like ForkLift on macOS.
- Observed behavior
- Files are moved to the OneDrive root folder instead of the Trash, and repeated attempts to delete them result in duplicate filenames.
Verify that your macOS and OneDrive app are updated to the latest versions, and temporarily pause your OneDrive sync to prevent unwanted duplicate files from uploading while you troubleshoot.
Unlink ForkLift from Finder or Bypass the Trash Operation
Disconnecting your third-party file manager from Finder prevents macOS API conflicts when sending files to the Trash.
This issue is primarily caused by third-party file managers struggling to communicate properly with the updated macOS Ventura APIs for moving items to the trash within cloud storage directories.
Open your third-party file manager (such as ForkLift) and navigate to its 'Settings' or 'Preferences' menu.
Locate the integration settings and disable the option that links the application to the macOS Finder.
Alternatively, select the files you want to remove and use the permanent delete shortcut (Option + Command + Delete) to delete the files completely without routing them through the macOS Trash.
Submit Diagnostic Feedback to Developers
Report the API mismatch to the software developers to help them release a permanent patch for the trash routing issue.
Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While troubleshooting macOS and OneDrive sync issues, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, complete with reliable built-in cloud storage to ensure your files are managed and backed up correctly without OS-level conflicts.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office.
- 2. Activate WPS Cloud: Sign in with your email to unlock free built-in WPS Cloud storage for your documents.
- 3. Open and Edit Files: Drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office files directly into WPS Office to continue working smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my deleted OneDrive files keep reappearing in the root folder on Mac?
This happens when a third-party file manager like ForkLift attempts to move OneDrive files to the Trash. A conflict with macOS Ventura APIs causes the files to simply be moved to the root directory instead of being deleted.
How do I permanently delete files in OneDrive without moving them to the Trash?
You can bypass the macOS Trash completely by selecting the file in Finder and pressing the keyboard shortcut 'Option + Command + Delete'. This permanently deletes the file immediately.
Will reinstalling OneDrive fix the file deletion issue?
No, reinstalling OneDrive usually does not resolve this because the problem stems from how the third-party file manager interacts with macOS file routing APIs. Unlinking the file manager from Finder is the most effective solution.
