OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Teams Sync Creating Duplicate Folders in Windows File Explorer

Huda Qurayshi Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove duplicate folder entries that appear in Windows File Explorer due to Microsoft Teams or OneDrive synchronization.

How to Fix Teams Sync Creating Duplicate Folders in Windows File Explorer

Product: Microsoft Teams and OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Synchronizing files via Microsoft Teams or OneDrive to a local Windows computer.
Observed behavior: File Explorer displays duplicate folder entries that point to the exact same underlying file path.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have backed up all important files locally to a separate hard drive or non-synchronized folder, and verify your exact sync location to avoid accidental data loss when unlinking accounts.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink and Reconfigure OneDrive Sync

Stop the synchronization process, clean up the duplicate folder entries, and safely reconnect your Microsoft account.

This solution resets the local connection to Microsoft's cloud services, clearing out visual glitches in File Explorer without permanently deleting your cloud data.

Stop OneDrive Synchronization

Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows system tray, select the 'Help & Settings' gear icon, and choose 'Settings'. Navigate to the 'Account' tab and click 'Unlink this PC'.

Quit the OneDrive Client

Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray again and select 'Quit OneDrive' to completely terminate the background application.

Remove Duplicate Folders

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\<username>. Carefully identify and delete the duplicate folder entries. Make sure you are only removing the shortcut entries and not your actual backed-up data folder.

Restart and Sign In

Search for OneDrive in your Start menu, launch it, sign in with your Microsoft credentials, and choose your preferred folder location to begin synchronizing anew.

Avoid Accidental Deletion: Never delete files from these duplicate folders while OneDrive is still running and syncing. Unlink your account first to ensure changes are not mirrored to the cloud.

Solution 2

Reset the OneDrive Application

If duplicate folders persist after unlinking, resetting the OneDrive app can force clear corrupted cached sync configurations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Teams create duplicate folders in File Explorer?

This typically occurs due to a glitch in the OneDrive sync client. Temporary network disconnections, interrupted updates, or conflicting sync paths can cause Windows File Explorer to register the same synchronization location multiple times as distinct shortcuts.

Will deleting the duplicate folder delete my files on OneDrive?

If you delete the folder while OneDrive is still actively syncing to your computer, it will delete the files from the cloud. You must always unlink your PC and quit the OneDrive application before attempting to remove duplicate folder shortcuts from your local drive.

Does unlinking my PC from OneDrive remove my saved files?

No, unlinking your PC simply stops the synchronization process. Your existing files will remain safely stored both in your cloud storage and within your local folder up to the exact point of disconnection.

How do I stop Teams from automatically syncing to File Explorer?

You can stop syncing a specific Teams channel or SharePoint site by opening your OneDrive settings, navigating to the 'Account' tab, and clicking 'Stop sync' next to the specific folder or workspace you no longer wish to sync locally.

Document & File Issues