OneDrive File Issues

How to Stop OneDrive from Creating Duplicate Files with a 2 Suffix on Mac

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent OneDrive from automatically creating duplicate versions of their files and shared folders with the number 2 appended to the name.

How to Stop OneDrive from Creating Duplicate Files with a 2 Suffix on Mac

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Migrating data to a new MacBook or synchronizing shared work folders via OneDrive.
Observed behavior: OneDrive generates hundreds of duplicate, often empty, files and folders with a 2 suffix appended to their original names.

Before you start

Ensure that your Mac is connected to a stable network and temporarily pause your OneDrive sync to prevent the creation of further duplicate files while you troubleshoot.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink, Clear Cache, and Reinstall OneDrive

Resetting the OneDrive application and purging its local cache is the most effective way to eliminate sync conflicts causing duplicate folders on a new Mac.

When you use Migration Assistant to move data to a new Mac, OneDrive often gets confused by the existing local files and the files in the cloud. It creates duplicates to prevent potential data loss. Completely resetting the app forces a clean synchronization from the server.

Unlink your Mac

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac menu bar. Click the gear icon to open Help & Settings, select Preferences, go to the Account tab, and click 'Unlink this Mac'.

Uninstall the OneDrive App

Open Finder, navigate to your Applications folder, locate Microsoft OneDrive, and drag it to the Trash.

Clear the OneDrive Cache

In Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G to open the 'Go to Folder' window. Type '~/Library/Caches/OneDrive' and hit Return. Move all files and folders within this directory to the Trash to remove corrupted sync data.

Reinstall and Resync

Download the latest version of OneDrive from the Mac App Store or Microsoft's official website. Install the application, sign in with your account, and wait for the initial synchronization process to finish completely before opening your folders.

Unlink, Clear Cache, and Reinstall OneDrive

Synchronization Time: Allow OneDrive enough time to fully sync your files. Depending on the size of your shared work folders, this process may take several hours.

Solution 2

Verify Account Type and Contact IT Support

If the problem is isolated to shared work folders, it may require intervention from your organization's IT department or Microsoft Support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive add a '2' or '-Copy' to my file names?

OneDrive appends a suffix like '2' or '-Copy' when it detects a sync conflict. This usually happens if a file was edited on multiple devices simultaneously, or if a Mac migration copied local files that OneDrive is also trying to download from the cloud. OneDrive creates a duplicate to ensure no data is overwritten or lost.

Can I safely delete the duplicate folders with the '2' suffix?

Yes, you can safely delete the duplicated folders. However, before doing so, open the original folder (without the suffix) to verify that all your up-to-date files are present and correctly synced from the cloud.

How can I prevent duplicate files when migrating to a new Mac?

Before using Apple's Migration Assistant, unlink your OneDrive account on the old Mac. Alternatively, exclude the local OneDrive folder from the migration process. Once the migration is complete, install OneDrive on the new Mac and let it download a fresh copy of your files directly from the cloud.

Is there a fast way to remove all the '2' suffix folders at once?

You can use the search bar in Finder within your OneDrive directory to search for '2'. Filter the results by 'Folder', select the duplicated empty folders, and move them to the Trash. Be careful to review the list so you don't accidentally delete legitimate folders that happen to have a '2' in their name.

Document & File Issues