OneDrive File Issues

How to Remove Deleted or Renamed SharePoint Folders from Desktop Sync

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove SharePoint folders that remain visible on their local desktop via OneDrive sync after the original folders have been deleted or renamed online.

How to Remove Deleted or Renamed SharePoint Folders from Your Desktop

Product: OneDrive / SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing synced SharePoint document libraries in a local desktop environment.
Observed behavior: Synced SharePoint folders do not automatically update or disappear from the local File Explorer when the corresponding site or library is deleted or renamed online.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have an active internet connection and verify that the files you intend to delete locally are either no longer needed or are safely accessible in your cloud storage.

Solution 1Recommended

Stop Sync and Manually Remove Leftover Folders

Manually break the synchronization connection for the affected SharePoint library and delete the remaining local folders to clean up your File Explorer.

Because existing sync relationships in OneDrive do not always update automatically when a SharePoint site is renamed or deleted, you must manually stop the sync connection before removing the local files.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar, select 'Help & Settings', and then click on 'Settings'.

Stop the folder sync

Navigate to the 'Account' tab to view all your synced locations. Locate the affected SharePoint document library in the list and click 'Stop Sync' next to it.

Delete the unsynced folder

Open File Explorer, locate the unsynced SharePoint folder (which will no longer have a blue cloud or green checkmark icon), and delete it to remove it from your desktop.

Re-sync renamed folders

If the folder was renamed rather than deleted, navigate to the updated SharePoint document library in your web browser and click the 'Sync' button to establish a new connection under the correct name.

Stop Sync and Manually Remove Leftover Folders

Verification: Once the sync is stopped, deleting the folder from File Explorer will only remove the local copy. It will not delete any files from the online SharePoint site.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't my renamed SharePoint folders automatically update in File Explorer?

SharePoint sync relationships in OneDrive are tied to the original library ID and directory path. Renaming the library online does not automatically trigger a path change on your local desktop, which is why a manual re-sync is required.

Will clicking 'Stop Sync' delete my files from the SharePoint site?

No. Stopping the sync simply disconnects your local folder from the cloud. The files remain completely safe and accessible on the online SharePoint site.

What happens if I delete the synced folder without stopping the sync first?

If you delete files from a folder that is actively syncing, OneDrive will detect the deletion and also move those files to the recycle bin in the cloud. You must always click 'Stop Sync' before deleting the local folder.

How do I sync the newly renamed SharePoint folder to my computer?

After stopping the old sync and deleting the leftover local folder, go to the newly renamed library in your web browser and click the 'Sync' button in the SharePoint menu bar to download it under its new name.

Document & File Issues