OneDrive File Issues

How to Remove a Nonexistent Folder from OneDrive Shared by Me

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a ghost folder that continues to appear in the 'Shared > By you' section of OneDrive online, even though the folder has already been deleted.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing shared files and attempting to clean up the 'Shared by Me' interface in OneDrive online.
Observed behavior: A previously deleted folder is still listed under 'Shared > By you' and cannot be manually removed from the shared list.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the correct Microsoft account on OneDrive online and try refreshing the webpage without your browser cache (Ctrl + F5), as local caching can sometimes cause deleted items to linger in the interface.

Solution 1Recommended

Delete the Original Folder via 'Open Location'

Use the 'Open location' feature to locate the phantom folder's original root directory and ensure it is completely removed from your primary files.

Often, files and folders in the 'Shared by Me' list are just symbolic links to the actual directories in your 'My files' area. Accessing the original location forces OneDrive to recognize the source status.

Navigate to the Shared list

Open OneDrive online in your browser, look at the left sidebar, and click on the 'Shared' tab.

Locate the problematic folder

Select the 'By you' tab at the top to view items you have shared, then right-click the nonexistent folder.

Open the original location

Select 'Open location' from the context menu. If this successfully opens the original directory in 'My files', select the original item and click 'Delete' on the top toolbar.

Verify removal

Return to the 'Shared > By you' list and refresh the page to confirm the folder has disappeared.

Sync Delay: OneDrive servers may take a few minutes to fully sync changes. Wait a short while after deleting the source file before checking the shared list again.

Solution 2

Report the Backend Glitch to OneDrive Support

If the folder is confirmed deleted but remains stuck in the shared list, contact Microsoft support to manually clear the backend index.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do deleted folders still appear in OneDrive Shared by Me?

This is usually caused by a server-side indexing delay, browser caching issues, or a backend sync glitch where the sharing permissions were not automatically invalidated when the original file was deleted.

Can I manually remove items directly from the Shared by Me list?

No, you cannot directly delete items from the 'Shared by Me' view. You must either revoke the sharing permissions (Stop sharing) or delete the original source file from your 'My files' directory.

How do I stop sharing a folder in OneDrive?

Navigate to the item in your 'My files' or 'Shared' list, right-click the folder, select 'Manage access', and then click 'Stop sharing' to revoke all access links.

Will clearing my browser cache fix ghost folders in OneDrive online?

Sometimes the web interface loads a cached version of your directory. Clearing your browser cookies and cache, or accessing OneDrive in an Incognito/Private window, can help verify if the folder is actually gone.

Document & File Issues