OneDrive File Issues

How to Remove a OneDrive Shortcut Without Deleting the Original Folder

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to safely remove a shared company folder shortcut from their personal OneDrive account without deleting the original source files.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A company folder is linked to a personal OneDrive account as a shortcut, and the user wants to stop synchronizing it locally while keeping the original folder intact.
Observed behavior: The shared folder appears with a chain-link icon, indicating it is a shortcut. The user is unsure how to properly disconnect it without affecting the actual company data.

Before you start

Verify that the folder you intend to remove has a chain-link icon overlaying the standard folder icon, which confirms it is merely a shortcut and not the original file directory.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Shortcut via OneDrive on the Web

The safest and most direct method to unlink a shared folder without deleting original files is by removing the shortcut from the OneDrive web interface.

When you see a chain-link icon on a folder in OneDrive, it means the folder is a shortcut to files hosted elsewhere (like a company drive). Deleting this shortcut only removes the link from your account, not the files inside the original folder.

Log into OneDrive Online

Open your web browser, navigate to the OneDrive website, and sign in to your personal Microsoft account.

Locate the Shortcut

Go to 'My files' and look for the folder that has the chain-link icon overlaid on it.

Remove the Shortcut

Select the shortcut folder by clicking the circular checkbox in its top right corner. Then, click 'Remove' from the top toolbar, or right-click the folder and select 'Remove'.

Safe Deletion: Removing the shortcut online will automatically stop it from synchronizing to your desktop without endangering the original company folder.

Solution 2

Stop Synchronizing the Folder via OneDrive Settings

If you only want to stop the shortcut folder from taking up space on your computer, you can disable its synchronization from the desktop app settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting a OneDrive shortcut delete the files for everyone?

No. As long as the folder features a chain-link icon (indicating it is a shortcut), removing it only deletes the link from your personal view. The original folder and its contents remain safe and unchanged on the owner's end.

How do I identify a shortcut in OneDrive?

A shortcut in OneDrive is easily identifiable by a small chain-link icon overlaid on top of the standard yellow folder icon.

Can I add the shortcut back if I accidentally remove it?

Yes. If you need the shortcut again, simply navigate back to the original shared folder via your 'Shared' tab or the original email invitation, and click 'Add shortcut to My files'.

Document & File Issues