OneDrive File Issues

How to Automatically Notify Users When OneDrive Folders Are Not Updated

Guest Writer Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a way to monitor specific OneDrive folders and automatically send email notifications if the folders have not been updated or modified for a certain period, such as three days.

How to Automatically Notify Users When OneDrive Folders Are Not Updated

Product: Microsoft OneDrive and Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Automating team management by monitoring OneDrive folder activity and alerting assigned users when they fail to update their folders regularly.
Observed behavior: Folders currently do not send automatic inactivity alerts, requiring a scheduled automation flow to check modification dates against a time threshold.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to Microsoft Power Automate with your Microsoft 365 account and possess the necessary permissions to read the metadata of the target OneDrive folders.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Power Automate to Monitor Folder Activity

Set up a scheduled cloud flow in Power Automate to routinely check the last modified date of OneDrive folders and automatically email the assigned person if the threshold is exceeded.

Power Automate is the most effective tool for this requirement. By creating a scheduled flow, you can automate the process of checking folder properties and triggering conditional emails.

Create a Scheduled Flow

Log in to Microsoft Power Automate, click on 'Create' in the left menu, and select 'Scheduled cloud flow'. Set the recurrence to run daily or at your preferred interval.

Retrieve Folder Metadata

Add a new step and search for the 'OneDrive for Business' connector. Select the 'Get file metadata' or 'List files in folder' action to access the 'Last Modified' timestamp of the target folders.

Add a Condition

Insert a 'Condition' control. Configure it to check if the folder's 'Last Modified' date is older than your desired threshold (e.g., three days prior to the current date).

Configure the Email Notification

In the 'If yes' branch of your condition, add the 'Send an email (V2)' action. Enter the assigned user's email address and customize the subject and body to remind them to update the folder.

Use Microsoft Power Automate to Monitor Folder Activity

Community Support: For complex logical expressions or advanced flow designs, consider posting your specific scenario in the Microsoft Power Automate Community for expert guidance.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Boost Your Team's Productivity with WPS Office

While Power Automate handles your OneDrive notifications, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free, and powerful suite to create, edit, and collaborate on the documents stored in those folders. Enjoy a familiar interface and seamless compatibility with all major Microsoft Office file formats.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free WPS Office installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install it on your device.
2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without worrying about formatting issues.
3. Edit and Save: Use the rich editing tools to update your documents, then save them directly back to your local drive or cloud storage.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsLightweight software with fast installation and loading timesFree built-in PDF editing and conversion toolsFamiliar user interface for a seamless transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I notify multiple users if a OneDrive folder isn't updated?

Yes, in the 'Send an email' action within Power Automate, you can separate multiple email addresses with a semicolon in the 'To' or 'Cc' fields, or configure the flow to send a message to a Microsoft Teams channel.

Does Power Automate require a premium license to monitor OneDrive?

No, the standard OneDrive and OneDrive for Business connectors are typically included in standard Microsoft 365 plans, so basic file monitoring does not require a standalone premium Power Automate license.

How do I check the update status of a specific file instead of an entire folder?

You can use the 'Get file metadata' action in Power Automate and point it directly to the specific file's path rather than the folder. The flow will then evaluate the modification date of that individual file.

Document & File Issues