OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneNote Notebook Renamed as a Conflicted Copy and Will Not Sync

Natalie Taylor Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where a OneNote notebook stops syncing properly and is automatically renamed as a conflicted copy.

How to Fix a OneNote Notebook Renamed as a Conflicted Copy That Won't Sync

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a notebook across multiple devices or accounts, or storing the notebook in unsupported third-party cloud locations like Dropbox.
Observed behavior: The notebook fails to synchronize changes to the cloud and appends 'conflicted copy' to the notebook or section name.

Before you start

Before attempting any sync fixes or clearing the application cache, manually copy your most recent, un-synced notes into a local document to ensure you do not lose critical information.

Solution 1Recommended

Move the Notebook to OneDrive using the Share Workflow

This is the best solution if your notebook is stored in Dropbox, as Dropbox does not support OneNote's synchronization protocol.

OneNote requires specific format conversions to sync properly, which are natively supported by OneDrive and SharePoint but not by other cloud services like Dropbox. Manually moving the files in your file explorer will not fix the issue.

Open the Notebook

Launch the OneNote desktop application and open the notebook that is currently failing to sync.

Access the Share Menu

Click on 'File' in the top left corner, then select 'Share' from the left-hand navigation pane.

Select OneDrive

Choose your OneDrive account as the destination and follow the on-screen prompts to move the notebook. This built-in workflow handles the required format conversion automatically.

Move the Notebook to OneDrive using the Share Workflow

Format Conversion Complete: Once moved through the Share menu, OneNote will resume standard synchronization protocols without triggering Dropbox file conflicts.

Solution 2

Compare and Manually Merge Conflicted Versions

Use this method if the conflict was caused by simultaneous edits from different devices or accounts.

Solution 3

Clear Application Cache and Reset Account

Resolve persistent sync errors by clearing out corrupted temporary files and refreshing your account session.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Reliable and Seamless Cloud Synchronization

If you frequently encounter sync conflicts or find Microsoft's collaboration tools complicated to manage, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, unified workspace with robust built-in cloud storage, helping you avoid frustrating 'conflicted copy' errors.

1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free version for Windows, Mac, or Linux.
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3. Enable WPS Cloud: Sign in to your free account to automatically back up and sync your documents across all your devices securely.

Completely free, lightweight, and easy to use on any deviceExcellent compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsBuilt-in WPS Cloud ensures your files are reliably synced and always up to dateUser-friendly interface that prevents confusing file duplication during collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote create a 'conflicted copy'?

A conflicted copy is created to prevent data loss when OneNote detects that a page was edited simultaneously on multiple devices, or when synchronization fails because the notebook is stored in an unsupported location like Dropbox.

Can I fix the issue by copying the OneNote files from Dropbox directly into my local OneDrive folder?

No, manually copying or moving OneNote files using File Explorer will not work. You must open the notebook in OneNote and use the 'File > Share' workflow, as this triggers the necessary format conversions for OneDrive sync.

Will I lose my notes if I reset the OneNote application?

Yes, any notes that have not successfully synced to the cloud will be permanently deleted if you clear the cache or reset the app. Always manually copy un-synced content to a local document as a backup before performing a reset.

Document & File Issues