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How to Add OneDrive Shortcuts to Folders Shared by External Users
Question details
Users want to add shortcuts to externally shared folders into their OneDrive 'My files' view to avoid repeatedly searching for the original sharing email.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Collaborating with external partners and organizing shared files directly within the OneDrive file manager.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Add shortcut to My files' feature is unavailable for folders shared by users outside of the user's organization.
Ensure you have access to the original email or direct link provided by the external user, as you will need it to implement the workaround.
Bookmark the External Sharing Link in Your Browser
Since OneDrive does not currently support adding shortcuts for external folders to 'My files', creating a browser bookmark is the most reliable way to maintain quick access.
The 'Add shortcut to My files' feature is limited to folders shared by internal users within your organization. Because there is currently no Microsoft roadmap item to remove this limitation for external users, relying on browser-level shortcuts is the standard workaround.
Open your email client (such as Outlook) and search for the original sharing invitation sent by the external user.
Click on the folder link within the email to open the shared OneDrive folder in your default web browser.
In your web browser, click the Star icon located in the address bar (or press Ctrl+D / Cmd+D) to save the folder directly to your Bookmarks or Favorites bar for one-click access in the future.
Simplify File Sharing and Collaboration with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by the sharing limitations and complex organizational barriers in Microsoft OneDrive, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with seamless file sharing capabilities for both internal and external collaborators.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free office suite and follow the installation prompts.
- 2. Sign In to WPS Cloud: Create a free account to access WPS Cloud, which allows you to easily store and share files with anyone.
- 3. Share via Link: Open any document, click the 'Share' button in the top right corner, and generate a link to share with external partners instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'Add shortcut to My files' button missing in OneDrive?
This button typically disappears or is unavailable if the folder was shared by someone outside your organization. Microsoft currently restricts the shortcut feature to internal sharing only.
Can external users sync shared OneDrive folders to their local computer?
While business-to-business (B2B) syncing is technically possible under specific Azure Active Directory configurations, the standard 'Add shortcut' method cannot be used by external users to sync folders to their local File Explorer.
Is Microsoft planning to fix the external folder shortcut limitation?
As of now, there is no official roadmap item from Microsoft indicating an upcoming update to enable shortcuts for externally shared folders, though users actively request this feature on the Microsoft Feedback Portal.
