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OneDrive File Issues

How to Remove Stale SharePoint Library Entries from OneDrive

Adam DavisAdam Davis Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to remove obsolete SharePoint library locations that remain visible in File Explorer after stopping synchronization.

How to Remove Stale SharePoint Library Entries from OneDrive
Product
OneDrive and SharePoint
Device & OS
Windows
Scenario
Cleaning up the File Explorer navigation pane after a SharePoint document library is no longer actively synchronized.
Observed behavior
Stale SharePoint library entries persist in File Explorer or automatically reappear after adding another library to OneDrive.
Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows PC, as you may need to use the Registry Editor to completely remove stubborn namespace entries.

Solution 1Recommended

Stop Synchronization and Remove Local Folders

The primary method to remove SharePoint libraries from File Explorer is to stop the synchronization directly within your OneDrive account settings.

Stopping the sync disconnects the local folder from the SharePoint server. Once disconnected, you must manually delete the local folder to clear it from your File Explorer view.

1
Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows taskbar system tray, click the gear icon, and select Settings.

2
Locate the SharePoint Library

Navigate to the Account tab within the settings menu to view a list of all currently synchronized OneDrive and SharePoint locations.

3
Stop Sync

Find the obsolete SharePoint library in the list and click 'Stop sync' next to it.

4
Delete the Local Folder

Open File Explorer, navigate to the location of the obsolete SharePoint library, and delete the folder to remove it completely from your computer.

Stop Synchronization and Remove Local Folders
Files Remain Safe: Deleting the local folder after stopping synchronization will not delete the files from the online SharePoint library.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do deleted SharePoint folders keep reappearing in File Explorer?

This usually happens because a company-wide IT policy is configured to automatically sync specific SharePoint libraries to your device, or because Windows has cached the folder path in the Registry. If removing the registry key doesn't work, contact your IT administrator to update the sync policies.

Does stopping sync delete my files on SharePoint?

No, clicking 'Stop sync' in your OneDrive settings only disconnects your local computer from the cloud folder. It will not delete or alter any files hosted on the online SharePoint server.

How do I safely back up the registry before deleting a namespace entry?

To back up the registry, open the Registry Editor, click 'File' in the top menu, and select 'Export'. Choose 'All' under Export range, name your backup file, and save it to a safe location like your Desktop. If something goes wrong, you can simply double-click this file to restore your registry.