OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Another User's OneDrive Folders Mixed with Yours

Muhammad Talha Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to separate another administrator's or user's OneDrive folders that are currently mixed with their own personal files.

How to Fix Another User's OneDrive Folders Mixed with Yours

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing personal and shared files in OneDrive online and locally.
Observed behavior: Folders belonging to another user appear identical to the user's personal folders under 'My files' with a path under the user's username, both online and on local devices.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your own dedicated Windows user profile and verify that only your primary Microsoft account is currently signed in to the OneDrive application.

Solution 1Recommended

Identify and Remove Folder Shortcuts

Use the OneDrive web interface to check if the mixed folders were added as shared shortcuts.

Often, shared folders appear in your main directory because a shortcut was added. Removing the shortcut clears your workspace without deleting the original owner's data.

Open OneDrive online

Check the Details pane

Select one of the unfamiliar folders and click the 'Information' (i) icon in the upper-right corner to open the Details pane. Review the 'Has access' or 'Owner' section.

Look for shortcut icons

Inspect the folder icon for a small link symbol, which indicates it is a shortcut to another user's shared folder.

Remove the shortcut

Right-click the folder and select 'Remove' or 'Remove shortcut' to delete it from your 'My files' view.

Safe Removal: Using 'Remove shortcut' only removes the link from your view; it does not delete the files for the original owner.

Solution 2

Verify Account Synchronization on All Devices

Check if both OneDrive accounts are mistakenly signed in and synchronizing to the same local directory on a shared device.

Solution 3

Investigate Microsoft 365 Audit Logs

If the source of the folders cannot be identified, a Microsoft 365 administrator can trace the activity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are another user's folders appearing in my OneDrive?

This usually happens if someone shared a folder with you and a shortcut was added to your 'My files' section, or if multiple OneDrive accounts are actively syncing to the same local Windows profile.

How can I tell if a folder is just a shortcut?

In the OneDrive web interface, shortcut folders display a small link icon over the folder image. Selecting the folder and opening the Details pane will also reveal the original owner.

Will deleting a shared folder remove it for the other user?

If you delete a folder shortcut by using the 'Remove shortcut' option, it only removes the link from your view. The original files remain intact for the owner.

Can sharing a computer cause OneDrive files to mix?

Yes. If two users log into the same local computer profile and both sign in to their respective OneDrive accounts, the application may sync both accounts' files into overlapping local directories.

Document & File Issues