OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneNote Notebook Showing as an Internet Shortcut in OneDrive

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where a OneNote notebook displays as an internet shortcut in a local OneDrive folder instead of a standard file.

How to Fix OneNote Notebook Showing as an Internet Shortcut in OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneNote / OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing and managing a synced OneNote notebook through the local OneDrive desktop folder.
Observed behavior: The notebook file appears as an internet shortcut locally, even though it displays correctly as a OneNote file on the OneDrive website.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to the original notebook through the OneNote desktop application or the OneDrive website before attempting to move or rename files.

Solution 1Recommended

Export the Notebook as a Package and Save Locally

Use the OneNote desktop application to pack and export the notebook, then save it to a local folder that is not synced with OneDrive to prevent conflicts.

Storing local OneNote notebooks directly inside OneDrive-synchronized or backup folders can cause shortcut and syncing conflicts. Exporting the file to a non-synced location resolves this.

Open the Notebook

Launch the OneNote desktop application and open the problematic notebook.

Navigate to Export Options

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the window, then select 'Export' from the left sidebar.

Select Export Format

Under the 'Export Current' section, select 'Notebook'. Then, choose 'OneNote Package (*.onepkg)' as your file format.

Export and Save

Click the 'Export' button. Choose a local folder on your computer that is not synchronized with OneDrive, give the notebook a new name, and save it.

Unpack the Notebook

Navigate to your newly saved location, open the OneNote Package file, and extract it to your preferred local directory.

Export the Notebook as a Package and Save Locally

Sync Conflict Resolved: By keeping the local notebook outside of OneDrive's automatic sync folders, you prevent OneDrive from converting the file into an internet shortcut.

Solution 2

Restore the Original File Extension

If the shortcut issue was caused by an accidentally removed or altered file extension, manually restoring the correct extension can fix the file recognition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my OneNote notebook show as an internet shortcut in OneDrive?

When a notebook is created or stored natively in OneDrive or SharePoint, OneDrive generates an internet shortcut (.url) in your local sync folder pointing to the cloud version. This is an intentional design to prevent sync conflicts, as OneNote utilizes its own internal syncing mechanism rather than relying on the standard OneDrive desktop sync.

Can I move a local OneNote notebook directly into my OneDrive folder using File Explorer?

No, it is highly discouraged. Moving a local notebook directly into a OneDrive-synced folder via File Explorer can corrupt the notebook or cause synchronization errors. You should always use the 'Share' or 'Move' feature within the OneNote application to properly migrate a local notebook to OneDrive.

How do I safely back up my OneNote notebooks?

To safely back up a local notebook, open OneNote, go to File > Export, choose 'Notebook', and export it as a OneNote Package (*.onepkg). Save this package file to an external drive or a separate backup folder.

Document & File Issues