OneDrive File Issues

How to Rename OneDrive for Business Folder on Mac

Khadija Khan Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to rename the synced OneDrive for Business folder to remove the long "Shared Libraries" text on macOS.

Can You Rename the OneDrive for Business Folder on Mac?

Product: OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Synchronizing SharePoint document libraries to a local Mac environment using the OneDrive client.
Observed behavior: The synced folder displays a lengthy default name such as "OneDrive - Shared Libraries - Company Name", and macOS does not provide a native option to rename or remove the "Shared Libraries" portion.

Before you start

Before modifying your synchronization settings or unlinking libraries, ensure all your local changes have finished syncing to the cloud to prevent any accidental data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the "Add Shortcut to OneDrive" Feature

Since directly renaming the synced folder is not supported by macOS, adding the SharePoint library as a shortcut to your personal OneDrive creates a much cleaner folder structure.

This is the most effective workaround for dealing with long SharePoint folder names on Mac. By adding a shortcut instead of directly syncing the library, the files will appear natively inside your standard OneDrive folder without the "Shared Libraries" label.

Unlink the current SharePoint library

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac menu bar, select the gear icon for Settings, navigate to the Account tab, find the synced SharePoint library, and click "Stop sync".

Open SharePoint Online

Log into your Microsoft 365 account in a web browser and navigate to the specific SharePoint document library you want to sync.

Create a OneDrive shortcut

Click the "Add shortcut to OneDrive" button located in the top toolbar of the SharePoint library.

Sync to Mac

Open your Mac Finder. The SharePoint files will now appear as a standard folder inside your primary "OneDrive - [Company Name]" directory, bypassing the long Shared Libraries naming convention.

Use the "Add Shortcut to OneDrive" Feature

Prerequisite: You must completely stop syncing the existing SharePoint library on your Mac before the 'Add shortcut to OneDrive' option will function properly in your browser.

Solution 2

Expand the Finder Sidebar

If you prefer not to change how your files are synced, you can adjust the Finder interface so the full folder name is visible.

Solution 3

Submit Feedback to Microsoft

Report this limitation directly to Microsoft to encourage the development of a native renaming feature for macOS.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my OneDrive folder name include 'Shared Libraries' on Mac?

Microsoft uses the 'Shared Libraries' naming convention on macOS to automatically differentiate company-wide SharePoint document libraries from your personal OneDrive for Business files.

Will stopping the sync of my SharePoint library delete the files?

No. Clicking 'Stop sync' in your OneDrive preferences only removes the local connection to your Mac. Your files remain completely safe and accessible in the cloud via SharePoint online.

Can I rename subfolders inside the synced OneDrive directory?

Yes. While macOS restricts renaming the primary 'OneDrive - Shared Libraries' root folder, you have full permission to rename any standard subfolders or files contained within it, provided you have the appropriate edit permissions in SharePoint.

Document & File Issues