OneDrive File Issues

How to Rename the OneDrive for Business Folder

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to rename the local OneDrive for Business folder, which defaults to the format 'OneDrive - organization name', to simply 'OneDrive'.

Product: OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing local file directories and attempting to customize cloud storage folder names on a local device.
Observed behavior: The local folder defaults to 'OneDrive - organization name' and cannot be renamed locally through standard Windows file explorer methods.

Before you start

Only Microsoft 365 administrators can change the organization name, which ultimately affects the OneDrive for Business folder name. Ensure you have the necessary admin privileges before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Organization Name via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

The only supported way to alter the 'OneDrive - organization name' format is by changing the organization name globally in the admin center.

By default, OneDrive for Business prevents users from renaming the folder locally to avoid sync issues. Instead, an administrator must update the organization name for the entire tenant.

Modifying Windows registry settings to force a rename is highly discouraged unless directly following official Microsoft documentation, as it can break file synchronization.

Access Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Navigate to Organization Settings

From the left-hand navigation pane, go to Settings, then click on Org settings, and select Organization profile.

Edit Organization Information

Click on 'Organization information' and update your organization's name to the desired text.

Unlink and Relink OneDrive

To apply the changes locally, open your local OneDrive settings, go to the Account tab, click 'Unlink this PC', and then sign in again to relink the account. The new folder name will reflect the updated organization name.

Propagation Delay: The local folder name may not change immediately after unlinking and relinking. Allow some time for the changes to sync across the Microsoft 365 tenant.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename the OneDrive for Business folder in Windows File Explorer?

No, renaming the folder directly in Windows File Explorer is restricted. The folder name is dictated by your Microsoft 365 organization name to maintain sync integrity.

Is it safe to rename the OneDrive folder using the Registry Editor?

Modifying the registry to change the OneDrive folder name is strongly discouraged. It can cause synchronization errors and data loss unless you are strictly following documented Microsoft guidance.

Why does my OneDrive folder show my organization name?

By default, OneDrive for Business uses the format 'OneDrive - organization name' to easily differentiate your work files from a personal OneDrive account on the same device.

How long does it take for a new organization name to reflect on my PC?

After an admin changes the name in the Microsoft 365 admin center, it may take up to 24 hours to propagate across all systems. Unlinking and relinking your OneDrive account can help force the update locally.

Document & File Issues