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How to Update the Name of a Shared OneDrive File or Folder
Question details
Users need to ensure that when a shared OneDrive for Business file or folder is renamed, the updated name is visible to all collaborators instead of the previous name.
- Product
- OneDrive for Business
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Renaming a shared file or folder in a collaborative OneDrive environment.
- Observed behavior
- Other users continue to see the previous file or folder name due to synchronization delays or browser caching.
Ensure you have the necessary edit permissions to rename the shared file or folder, and verify that your internet connection is stable to allow OneDrive to sync changes to the cloud.
Reshare the Item and Force Synchronization
The most effective way to push the new name to collaborators is to reshare the updated file and have them refresh their local view or browser.
When you rename a shared file or folder, the change must upload to SharePoint/OneDrive and then download to your collaborators' devices. If they are actively viewing the folder or experiencing sync delays, the old name will persist. Manually triggering a refresh resolves this.
Right-click the target file or folder in OneDrive for Business online or in your local File Explorer, select 'Rename', type the new name, and press Enter.
Click the 'Share' icon (or right-click and select 'Share') next to the newly renamed file or folder and send the link to the affected users again.
Ask the recipients to open the new link. If they still see the old name, instruct them to press Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + R (Mac) to hard refresh the OneDrive web page and clear the browser cache.
If users are accessing the file via File Explorer or Finder, ask them to click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, select the Gear icon (Settings), click 'Quit OneDrive', and then reopen the application from the Start menu to force a manual sync.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Cloud Collaboration
If you frequently encounter synchronization delays or complex sharing settings in Microsoft OneDrive and Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight alternative with built-in cloud services designed for effortless real-time document sharing.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office from the official website and install it on your PC, Mac, or mobile device.
- 2. Log in to WPS Cloud: Sign in to your WPS account to activate your free cloud storage space.
- 3. Upload and Share: Save your documents directly to WPS Cloud and click the 'Share' button in the top right corner to instantly generate an updated collaboration link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my renamed OneDrive folder still show the old name for others?
This is typically caused by browser caching on the recipient's end or a delay in OneDrive's background synchronization. Resharing the folder or forcing a manual sync usually pushes the updated name to all users.
Will renaming a shared file break the original sharing link?
In OneDrive for Business and SharePoint, sharing links usually remain active even if the file is renamed. This is because the link is tied to the file's unique ID on the server, not its text name. However, the display name might not update instantly for everyone.
How long does it take for a OneDrive name change to sync?
In most cases, name changes sync within a few seconds to a couple of minutes. If the change does not reflect for other users after 10 minutes, you may need to ask them to manually restart their OneDrive desktop client or clear their web browser cache.
