OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Permission Errors for steam.lnk Shortcut

Ayan Masood Sep 29, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve a OneDrive synchronization error that displays a red X on a steam.lnk shortcut after files were relocated to a different partition.

Fix OneDrive Permission Errors for steam.lnk Shortcut

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Moving Steam files or libraries between partitions and attempting to sync the desktop or shortcut folders via OneDrive.
Observed behavior: OneDrive displays a red X synchronization error for the steam.lnk file due to potentially invalid permissions or an unavailable target path.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your computer with an administrator account and verify the exact new partition drive letter where your Steam files were moved.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Shortcut Target Path and Update Permissions

Manually correct the broken shortcut target and ensure your user profile has the necessary permissions to access the file after the partition move.

When files are moved between partitions, existing shortcuts (.lnk files) often continue to point to the old drive letter. This causes OneDrive to register an access or availability error when attempting to sync the file properties.

Open Shortcut Properties

Right-click the steam.lnk file that is showing the red X in your OneDrive folder and select Properties from the context menu.

Update Target Path

Navigate to the Shortcut tab. In the Target field, update the drive letter and folder path to reflect the exact new location of the Steam executable on your new partition.

Check Security Permissions

Switch to the Security tab. Select your user account from the list and ensure that 'Full control' is checked in the permissions box below.

Apply Changes

Click Apply and then OK to save the new path and permissions. Check if the OneDrive sync status icon updates to a green checkmark.

Verify Shortcut Target Path and Update Permissions

Quick Fix Alternative: If you do not need to sync the Steam shortcut across multiple devices, simply deleting steam.lnk from the OneDrive folder and creating a new local shortcut on your desktop will immediately resolve the sync error.

Solution 2

Pause and Resume OneDrive Synchronization

Force OneDrive to rescan your local folders and recognize the updated shortcut permissions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive show a red X on shortcut (.lnk) files?

A red X indicates a synchronization failure. For shortcut files, this usually happens if the target application was moved to a different partition (making the target path invalid) or if the Windows user account lacks the proper permissions to read the file.

Does moving files to a new partition automatically update my shortcuts?

No. When you move application folders (like a Steam library) to a new drive partition, old desktop shortcuts will still point to the original drive letter. You must manually right-click the shortcut, open Properties, and update the Target path.

How do I fix 'Access Denied' permission errors in OneDrive?

Right-click the problematic file or folder, select Properties, and navigate to the Security tab. Select your user profile and ensure 'Full control' is allowed. If necessary, click Advanced to manually take ownership of the file.

Document & File Issues