OneDrive File Issues

How to Sync a Local Folder Outside the OneDrive Directory

Adam Davis Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to synchronize a local folder on an external or secondary drive with OneDrive Online without moving the folder into the main OneDrive directory or using Files On-Demand.

How to Synchronize a Local Folder Outside the OneDrive Directory

Product: OneDrive / OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to sync a specific external local folder to the cloud while keeping its original storage path intact.
Observed behavior: OneDrive natively only synchronizes files and folders located strictly within its designated local directory, leaving outside folders unsynced.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows PC to run command-line tools, and back up the target folder locally before attempting to create any symbolic links.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Supported PC Folder Backup or Move the Folder

To ensure stable and officially supported synchronization, utilize OneDrive's built-in backup features or relocate the target folder directly into the OneDrive directory.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar system tray, click the gear icon at the top right, and select 'Settings'.

Manage Folder Backup

Navigate to the 'Sync and backup' tab on the left sidebar and click 'Manage backup'. Toggle the standard Windows folders you wish to protect.

Relocate custom folders

For custom folders not covered by the backup tool, open File Explorer and physically drag the folder directly into your main OneDrive directory to trigger immediate synchronization.

Contacting Support: If synchronization continues to fail on a business account, contact your Microsoft 365 administrator to open an official support ticket.

Solution 2

Create a Symbolic Link using the mklink Command

Use the command prompt to create a directory junction that links your external folder to the OneDrive directory without physically moving it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my symbolic link folder stuck on syncing in OneDrive?

OneDrive does not officially support symbolic links or directory junctions. Because of this, changes made locally inside the linked folder may fail to notify the sync client properly, leaving the folder in a perpetual syncing state or causing it to not show up on OneDrive Online.

Can I natively sync a standalone folder on an external hard drive with OneDrive?

While you can choose to host your entire main OneDrive folder on an external drive (formatted as NTFS or APFS), you cannot natively sync standalone folders scattered across external drives unless you use the PC folder backup feature or physically move them into the central OneDrive directory.

What should I do if my OneDrive for Business stops syncing entirely?

First, check your internet connection, pause and resume syncing from the taskbar icon, or restart the OneDrive app. If the problem persists and you are using a work or school account, you should contact your Microsoft 365 administrator who can open an official support ticket.

Document & File Issues