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How to Remove a Duplicate OneDrive Icon from File Explorer
Question details
The user needs to remove an extra, non-functional OneDrive shortcut icon that appeared in the Windows File Explorer navigation pane.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- After uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Office and the OneDrive desktop application.
- Observed behavior
- Two OneDrive shortcuts appear in File Explorer. One displays the correct icon and functions properly, while the duplicate shortcut is broken and lacks the correct icon.
Ensure you have saved all open documents and that your current files are fully synced to the cloud before unlinking or resetting OneDrive to prevent accidental data loss.
Unlink and Relink Your OneDrive Account
Disconnecting and reconnecting your account forces File Explorer to refresh its integration, which usually clears phantom or duplicate shortcut icons.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows taskbar system tray. Click the gear icon (Help & Settings), and then select 'Settings' from the menu.
Navigate to the 'Account' tab in the settings window. Click on the 'Unlink this PC' link and confirm your choice when prompted. File Explorer will refresh.
Once unlinked, the OneDrive setup window will appear. Sign back in using your Microsoft account credentials and follow the prompts to relink your PC.
Reset the OneDrive Client
If unlinking does not resolve the issue, completely resetting the OneDrive application will rebuild its settings and remove invalid shortcut entries.
Remove Duplicate Entries from the Windows Registry
For persistent duplicate icons that survive a reset, manually deleting residual registry keys left behind by previous installations will fix the issue.
Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Cloud Experience
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- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free, lightweight installer.
- 2. Sign In for Cloud Storage: Create an account or sign in to instantly access your free built-in WPS Cloud storage.
- 3. Open Existing Documents: Open, edit, and save your existing Microsoft Office files seamlessly without worrying about format changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did a duplicate OneDrive icon appear in my File Explorer?
This typically happens when Microsoft Office or OneDrive is uninstalled and reinstalled. The operating system may retain the old registry key for the previous shortcut while creating a new one, leading to two icons appearing in the navigation pane.
Will unlinking my OneDrive account delete my local or cloud files?
No. Unlinking your PC only disconnects the syncing connection between your computer and the cloud. Your files remain completely safe in your online storage and on your local hard drive. Relinking the account will safely resume the sync process.
What should I do if resetting OneDrive doesn't remove the extra folder shortcut?
If standard unlinking and resetting commands fail to remove the phantom folder, you will need to open the Windows Registry Editor and manually delete the orphaned namespace key associated with the old OneDrive installation.
