OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Favorites Folder Missing for Personal Accounts

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users can mark photos as favorites in Microsoft OneDrive but are unable to find a dedicated Favorites folder, use a favorite filter, or apply the favorite tag to standard documents and folders.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to organize and quickly access important files and photos using the favorites feature on a personal Microsoft 365 Family account.
Observed behavior: The Favorites folder is missing, the ability to filter files by favorites is absent, and the starring functionality appears restricted only to photos.

Before you start

Verify whether you are logged into a personal Microsoft 365 account or a Business account, as enterprise accounts have different feature availabilities for file tagging.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Custom Folder for Quick Access

Since the native Favorites folder is unavailable for personal accounts, manually organizing important files into a pinned custom folder serves as the most effective workaround.

Microsoft has currently limited the native 'Favorites' filtering for standard files on personal accounts. Creating your own easily accessible folder bypasses this limitation.

Create a new folder

Open your OneDrive interface, click on the 'New' button, and select 'Folder'. Name this new folder 'Favorites' or 'Starred Files'.

Move or copy important files

Select the documents or standard files you want to access quickly, and either move or copy them into this newly created folder.

Pin to Quick Access

If you are using Windows File Explorer to manage your OneDrive, right-click your custom 'Favorites' folder and select 'Pin to Quick Access' so it always appears in your left navigation pane.

Storage Space Consideration: If you choose to copy files rather than move them, you will create duplicates which may consume additional storage space in your OneDrive quota.

Solution 2

Submit Feature Feedback to Microsoft

Because this missing functionality is a design choice for personal accounts, reporting the issue directly to Microsoft can help prioritize its return in future updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless File Management Experience

If missing features in standard cloud services or office suites are slowing down your productivity, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office, featuring its own built-in document management and intuitive starring capabilities so you never lose track of important files.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and easily install it on your preferred device.
2. Open the File Manager: Launch the WPS Office application and navigate to the 'Home' or 'Cloud' tab to view your synced documents.
3. Star Your Files: Click the star icon next to any important document to instantly add it to your Starred list, functioning exactly like a reliable Favorites folder.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I only favorite photos and not documents on my personal OneDrive?

Microsoft currently restricts the native favorites feature on personal and Family accounts primarily to the Photos view. Standard documents and folders do not support the same favorite tagging that is available in enterprise or business versions.

Will Microsoft bring the Favorites folder back to personal accounts?

There is no official confirmation from Microsoft regarding the return of the Favorites folder for personal accounts. Users are encouraged to submit feature requests through the OneDrive feedback tool to highlight the demand for this functionality.

Is there a way to filter my files by favorites in the OneDrive mobile app?

For personal accounts, filtering standard files by favorites is currently unavailable in the mobile app. You can only view favorited images within the dedicated Photos tab.

Document & File Issues