OneDrive File Issues

How to Prevent Duplicate SharePoint Files After OneDrive Sync

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to stop OneDrive from generating duplicate files in SharePoint when setting up and synchronizing document libraries on new devices.

Product: OneDrive and SharePoint
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Synchronizing organizational document libraries on new computers.
Observed behavior: OneDrive is automatically creating duplicate files in SharePoint, an issue that is affecting multiple users across the Microsoft 365 organization.

Before you start

Verify whether the duplication issue is isolated to a single user or widespread, and ensure you have Microsoft 365 administrator privileges if you need to check tenant-level logs.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Sync Configurations and Open a Support Ticket

Because this duplication issue affects multiple users simultaneously, it requires checking for overlapping sync locations and having an administrator contact Microsoft to investigate tenant synchronization logs.

A standard new OneDrive sync setup should not result in duplicated SharePoint files. When this happens organization-wide, it usually points to an overarching configuration glitch or tenant-level sync conflict rather than a simple user error.

Verify local synchronization setups

Open OneDrive settings on the affected Windows computers by clicking the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, selecting the gear icon, and clicking 'Settings'. Go to the 'Account' tab to ensure the same SharePoint library is not being synced multiple times or through overlapping accounts.

Gather incident details

Collect the computer names, affected usernames, and timestamps of when the duplicate files were generated to help isolate the cause of the sync failure.

Contact Microsoft Support

Have your organization's Microsoft 365 administrator log into the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to 'Support', and open a new service request. Provide the collected synchronization logs and request Microsoft to review the tenant settings to resolve the organizational duplication issue.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Conflict-Free File Management with WPS Office

While resolving organizational SharePoint and OneDrive sync issues, consider using WPS Office as a lightweight, reliable alternative. It provides a highly compatible document editing environment that easily handles your daily workflow without the hassle of complex background sync errors.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free office suite and install it on your Windows computer.
2. Sign In to WPS Cloud: Create a free account and log in to activate WPS Cloud for secure, duplicate-free document synchronization.
3. Edit and Save Seamlessly: Open your existing documents, edit them with comprehensive tools, and save them directly to the cloud without sync conflicts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive append my computer name to duplicate files?

When OneDrive detects a sync conflict—such as a file being edited in the cloud and locally at the same time, or an interruption during the initial sync—it saves both versions. It adds your computer name to the duplicate to ensure no data is lost during the conflict.

How do I stop syncing a redundant SharePoint library?

Click the OneDrive icon in your Windows taskbar, click the gear icon, and select 'Settings'. Navigate to the 'Account' tab, locate the redundant SharePoint library in the list of synced locations, and click 'Stop sync' next to it.

Can individual users fix tenant-level sync issues?

No. If multiple users in an organization are experiencing identical file duplication issues on new computer setups, it indicates a broader tenant or server-side configuration issue. A Microsoft 365 administrator must intervene and open a ticket with Microsoft Support.

Document & File Issues