OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Two Documents Folders Syncing with OneDrive in Windows

John Wilson Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know why there are two separate Documents folders syncing to OneDrive and how to merge them correctly.

How to Fix Two Documents Folders Syncing with OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Managing OneDrive folder backups and resolving duplicate system folders.
Observed behavior: Windows displays two Documents folders syncing with OneDrive: one official system Documents folder and another separate folder nested inside OneDrive, such as OneNote\Documents.

Before you start

Before making any changes, verify which folder is the official Windows system Documents folder by checking your OneDrive backup settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Consolidate Files and Remove the Duplicate Folder Locally

Identify the correct system Documents folder in OneDrive settings and move your files to resolve the duplication.

The issue occurs because an application (like OneNote) creates its own Documents folder inside the OneDrive directory, while Windows continues to back up the official system Documents folder. To fix this, you need to manually move the files into the official folder and delete the duplicate.

Verify the official system folder

Open OneDrive Settings, go to 'Sync and backup', and select 'Manage backup'. Confirm the correct path for the system Documents folder, which is usually C:\Users\[Username]\OneDrive\Documents.

Locate the duplicate folder

Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the secondary nested folder, for example, C:\Users\[Username]\OneDrive\OneNote\Documents.

Move files locally

Select all files in the nested duplicate folder and move them into the official system Documents folder identified in the first step.

Delete the empty folder

Once all files have been safely moved, delete the empty duplicate folder to prevent it from syncing again.

Consolidate Files and Remove the Duplicate Folder Locally

Important: Always perform these file movements locally using Windows File Explorer rather than through the OneDrive website, especially when dealing with large groups of files.

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1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office Free from the official website and install it on your Windows PC.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive create a second Documents folder?

A second folder often appears when a specific application, such as OneNote, creates its own designated Documents folder nested inside the OneDrive directory. OneDrive then syncs this folder alongside your official Windows system Documents folder.

Can I merge the two Documents folders using the OneDrive website?

It is highly recommended to merge and move files locally using Windows File Explorer instead of the OneDrive website. Moving large groups of files via the web interface can cause sync errors or delays.

How do I know which Documents folder is the official one?

You can verify the official system folder by opening OneDrive Settings, navigating to 'Sync and backup', and clicking 'Manage backup'. The folder path listed there is recognized by Windows as your official system Documents folder.

Document & File Issues