How to Fix OneDrive Changing Accented Characters When Downloading Folders
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where OneDrive alters accented characters (such as 'é') in filenames when downloading multiple files or folders as a ZIP archive, and needs to restore proper synchronization on Mac.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Downloading multiple files or folders from OneDrive Web and managing local synchronization on a Mac device.
- Observed behavior
- When downloading files as a ZIP archive, accented characters in the filenames are changed. Single-file downloads preserve the correct names. Additionally, Mac synchronization may unexpectedly mark files as online-only.
Before troubleshooting, log into your OneDrive account via a web browser to confirm that all your important files are safely stored and synchronized in the cloud.
Unlink and Relink OneDrive on Mac to Fix Sync Issues
Resetting the connection between your Mac and OneDrive can resolve synchronization bugs that cause files to become online-only or fail to display correctly.
Unlinking your Mac from OneDrive is a safe procedure. It will stop the synchronization process, but it does not delete any files stored in your cloud account. Your local OneDrive folder and its contents will also remain intact on your computer.
Click on the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Mac's top menu bar, then click the gear icon (Help & Settings) and select Preferences.
Navigate to the Account tab in the preferences window and click the 'Unlink this Mac' link. Confirm your choice when prompted.
The OneDrive setup screen will appear automatically. Sign back in with your Microsoft credentials, select your preferred local folder location, and follow the prompts to restore synchronization.
Download Files Individually to Bypass ZIP Compression
Since the character encoding bug only triggers when OneDrive compresses folders into a ZIP archive, downloading files one by one preserves the original filenames.
Edit and Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While you rely on OneDrive for cloud storage, you need a robust, compatible office suite to create and edit your documents. WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that perfectly handles diverse document names, languages, and complex character sets across Mac and Windows platforms.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button for Mac.
- 2. Install the Suite: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Start Editing: Open WPS Office, create a new document, or open your existing Microsoft Office files with full layout and formatting preservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlinking or uninstalling OneDrive delete my files from the cloud?
No, unlinking or uninstalling the OneDrive application does not delete your files stored in the cloud. Your files remain safely on Microsoft's servers, and your local OneDrive folder will also stay on your computer, though changes will no longer sync.
Are accented characters like 'é' forbidden in OneDrive filenames?
No, accented characters are perfectly valid and supported in OneDrive filenames. The issue of characters changing is solely related to a character encoding mismatch during the ZIP compression process when downloading multiple files.
Why does OneDrive change filenames when downloading folders?
When you download a folder or multiple files, the OneDrive web interface compresses them into a ZIP archive for faster downloading. The compression system sometimes uses a character encoding format that doesn't properly translate accented characters to your local operating system.
