OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Creating Empty Documents Folders in Other Languages

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing a synchronization issue where OneDrive automatically creates an empty duplicate Documents folder with a name in a random language after the original duplicate was deleted.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Managing and organizing synced files and folders in OneDrive.
Observed behavior: A deleted Documents folder repeatedly reappears with a random-language name due to a known synchronization bug.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure your computer is connected to the internet so that any pending files can finish uploading, and log into the web version of OneDrive to verify the status of your stored documents.

Solution 1

Consolidate Files via OneDrive on the Web

Use the web interface of OneDrive to manually move files into the correct folder to avoid data loss before attempting a sync reset.

Because local file explorers can sometimes misinterpret syncing states, using the web version ensures you are directly manipulating the files on Microsoft's servers.

Log in to OneDrive Web

Open your preferred web browser, navigate to the official OneDrive website, and log in with your Microsoft account credentials.

Locate the Folders

Find the primary Documents folder as well as any duplicate folders that have been created with random or foreign language names.

Move Your Files

Select all the files inside the duplicate random-language folders and use the 'Move to' option to transfer them into the correct Documents folder.

Delete Empty Duplicates

Once all files are safely consolidated, select the empty duplicate folders and click 'Delete' to remove them from your cloud storage.

Solution 2Recommended

Unlink and Relink OneDrive for Windows

Resetting the connection between your computer and OneDrive clears the synchronization configuration, which stops the duplicate folders from automatically reappearing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is OneDrive changing my folder names to another language?

This is caused by a known synchronization bug within OneDrive. When a default system folder is deleted, OneDrive attempts to recreate it. Due to configuration errors, it sometimes pulls localized folder names from incorrect regional language settings on Microsoft's servers.

Will unlinking my OneDrive account delete my local files?

No, unlinking your account only stops the active synchronization between your computer and the cloud. All previously downloaded files will remain exactly where they are on your local hard drive.

Can I simply rename the random-language folder back to 'Documents'?

While you can rename it, doing so usually doesn't resolve the underlying synchronization conflict. OneDrive may create yet another duplicate folder later. Unlinking and relinking the account is the recommended method to permanently fix the configuration.

Document & File Issues