SharePoint Document Issues

How to Sync a SharePoint Document Library with OneDrive and File Explorer

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to synchronize a SharePoint document library with their local PC to access team files directly through Windows File Explorer.

Product: SharePoint and OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: A user wants to store and collaborate on team files using a SharePoint library, but prefers accessing and managing these files locally via Windows File Explorer.
Observed behavior: Synchronization creates local file copies which successfully enables offline and File Explorer access, but can potentially introduce versioning conflicts or accidental deletion risks across the team.

Before you start

Ensure you have the latest version of the OneDrive desktop app installed on your Windows PC. If you are already syncing specific subfolders from this SharePoint library, stop syncing them or unlink your PC first to avoid duplicate sync conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Sync the Top-Level SharePoint Library via OneDrive

Use the native Sync button in SharePoint to connect the entire document library directly to your local File Explorer.

The OneDrive sync tool is the officially supported method for making SharePoint document libraries available in Windows File Explorer.

While this approach offers convenient local access, remember that syncing duplicates files onto your local hard drive. Any files you delete from the synced folder in File Explorer will also be deleted for everyone in the SharePoint cloud, so use caution to avoid unintentional data loss.

Stop Syncing Existing Subfolders

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows system tray, open Settings, go to the Account tab, and stop syncing any specific subfolders from the target library, or temporarily unlink your PC.

Open SharePoint Library

Open your web browser and navigate to the top-level SharePoint document library that contains the team files you want to sync.

Initiate Synchronization

Click the 'Sync' button located in the command bar at the top of the SharePoint document library page.

Allow OneDrive Connection

When prompted by your browser, confirm that you want to open Microsoft OneDrive. The OneDrive app will launch and complete the setup, and your SharePoint files will now appear in File Explorer under a folder named after your organization.

Collaboration Best Practice: Even though you can access files locally through File Explorer, SharePoint should remain the primary collaboration location to minimize versioning risks when multiple team members edit files simultaneously.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Synced SharePoint Documents with WPS Office

After successfully syncing your SharePoint document library to File Explorer, you can seamlessly open, edit, and collaborate on your local files using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and completely free alternative for handling all your team's Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website to download and install the free suite on your Windows PC.
2. Locate Synced Files: Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to your organization's synced SharePoint folder.
3. Open with WPS: Right-click the document, spreadsheet, or presentation you wish to edit, and select 'Open with WPS Office' to start working immediately.

100% compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) stored in your SharePoint librariesLightweight architecture ensures fast loading times when opening synced files from File ExplorerFamiliar ribbon interface requires zero learning curve for users migrating from Microsoft OfficeFree to download and use, providing comprehensive tools for document, spreadsheet, and presentation editing

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I delete a synced SharePoint file from Windows File Explorer?

When you delete a synced file or folder from Windows File Explorer, it will also be deleted from the SharePoint cloud library for everyone in your organization. If this happens by mistake, you can usually recover the file from the SharePoint site's Recycle Bin within 93 days.

Why is my synced SharePoint library taking up too much local disk space?

By default, syncing downloads copies of your files to your PC. To save space, ensure OneDrive's 'Files On-Demand' feature is enabled in OneDrive settings. You can then right-click your synced SharePoint folder in File Explorer and select 'Free up space' to keep files in the cloud until you open them.

How do I stop syncing a specific SharePoint document library?

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar, select the gear icon to open Settings, and navigate to the 'Account' tab. Locate the SharePoint library you no longer want to sync and click 'Stop sync'. The previously downloaded files will remain on your computer, but they will no longer update with the cloud.

Can I sync just a specific folder instead of the entire SharePoint library?

Yes. If you do not need the entire library, navigate to the specific subfolder you want within the SharePoint web interface, open it, and then click the 'Sync' button. Only that specific folder and its contents will be synchronized to your File Explorer.

Document & File Issues