OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Two-Way Sync Not Working with Junction Points

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to synchronize folders outside the default OneDrive directory using local folder junction points, but is experiencing one-way synchronization where local changes do not upload to the cloud.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sync local files to OneDrive via a folder junction without physically moving the original folders into the OneDrive directory.
Observed behavior: Changes made on other computers successfully download to the local machine, but modifications made within the junction's native folder do not sync back to OneDrive, despite the app reporting that files are synchronized.

Before you start

Ensure you know the exact file path of both your original native folders and your local OneDrive synchronization directory before modifying any folder structures.

Solution 1Recommended

Move Folders Directly into the OneDrive Directory

Since OneDrive does not reliably support continuous synchronization through junction points, moving the physical folders into the local OneDrive directory is the primary supported solution.

Microsoft OneDrive does not natively support two-way synchronization via junction points or symbolic links. Using them often breaks the file change notification system, resulting in one-way sync where cloud changes download but local changes fail to trigger an upload.

To ensure continuous and consistent two-way synchronization, you must place the physical folders directly inside the designated local OneDrive folder rather than relying on links.

Locate Original Folder

Open File Explorer and navigate to the native folder that is currently linked to OneDrive via a junction point.

Cut the Directory

Right-click the entire folder containing your files and select 'Cut' (or press Ctrl+X).

Paste into OneDrive

Navigate to your local OneDrive directory (typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\OneDrive). Right-click inside the folder and select 'Paste' (or press Ctrl+V).

Delete Old Junction

Remove the old junction point from its previous location to avoid confusion, and wait for the OneDrive system tray icon to finish processing and uploading the newly moved files.

Avoid Unlinking as a Fix: Unlinking and relinking your OneDrive account will not permanently resolve sync issues caused by junction points, as the core incompatibility remains.

Solution 2

Use OneDrive PC Folder Backup for Standard Folders

If the folder you want to sync without moving is a standard Windows user folder (Desktop, Documents, or Pictures), use OneDrive's built-in backup feature instead of junction points.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive only sync one-way when using junction points?

OneDrive relies heavily on the Windows file system's change notifications (USN Journal) to know when a file is modified and needs uploading. Junction points often fail to pass these real-time notifications from the native directory to the OneDrive application, causing uploads to fail while downloads still succeed.

Can I use symbolic links (symlinks) instead of junction points for OneDrive?

No. Microsoft explicitly states that symbolic links, junction points, and similar folder redirection methods are not supported for continuous synchronization in OneDrive. They suffer from the same inconsistent synchronization issues.

How do I safely remove a junction point without deleting my actual files?

You can safely remove a junction point by opening the Command Prompt and using the 'rmdir' command (e.g., rmdir "C:\path\to\junction"). This command deletes the directory link itself but leaves your original files inside the native target folder completely untouched.

Document & File Issues