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How to Fix Shared OneDrive Folders Still Visible After Removing Access
Question details
Users need to know why revoked folders and subfolders are still showing up in their OneDrive shared list and how to remove them.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Cleaning up the 'Shared with You' view after permissions for shared folders have been revoked by the owner.
- Observed behavior
- Shared folders and subfolders remain visible in the 'Shared with You' section instead of disappearing immediately after access is removed.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection so OneDrive can properly synchronize with the server, and verify with the folder owner that your access permissions were fully removed.
Wait for Synchronization and Refresh OneDrive
Since OneDrive synchronizes changes across millions of accounts, there is often a delay before revoked permissions are reflected in your view.
Folders may remain visible in the 'Shared with You' section for some time after access is revoked due to server-side synchronization delays. They will eventually disappear on their own once the servers update your account data.
Allow a few hours to pass after the folder owner has revoked your sharing permissions to give the Microsoft servers time to process the change.
If you are using OneDrive on the web, press F5 or click the refresh button on your browser. If using the desktop app, right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray and select 'Close OneDrive', then reopen the application.
Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of OneDrive, select 'Sign out', and then sign back in with your Microsoft account credentials to force a fresh data sync.
Manually Hide the Obsolete Shared Folders
If you do not want to wait for the server synchronization to remove the folders, you can manually hide them from your shared view.
Submit Feedback for a Bulk Removal Feature
Since Microsoft does not currently offer a way to bulk-remove obsolete shared entries, submitting feedback can help prioritize this feature for future updates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive take so long to remove shared folders?
OneDrive relies on global servers to sync data across millions of accounts. When a folder owner changes permissions, it can take time for this update to propagate through the system and reflect in your local 'Shared with You' view.
Can I bulk remove obsolete shared folders in OneDrive?
Currently, Microsoft OneDrive does not offer a bulk action to remove or hide multiple outdated shared folders at once. You must right-click and hide them individually.
Will the owner be notified if I hide a shared folder?
No, hiding a folder from your 'Shared with You' view only affects how your own OneDrive interface looks. It does not notify the owner or alter the actual file permissions in any way.
Does clearing my browser cache help update the OneDrive shared view?
Yes, if you are using OneDrive on the web, clearing your web browser's cache and cookies can force the page to fetch the most recent data from the Microsoft servers, which may clear out outdated shared folders.
