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Why Renaming a Shared OneDrive Folder Does Not Update for Other Users
Question details
The user wants to understand why changing the name of a shared OneDrive folder shortcut only reflects on their own account and how to apply the name change for all collaborators.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Collaborating on shared files in OneDrive and attempting to rename a shared folder shortcut added to the 'My Files' directory.
- Observed behavior
- Renaming the shared folder shortcut only changes the display name locally for the user who renamed it. The original folder owner and other collaborators still see the old name.
Verify whether you are the original owner of the shared OneDrive folder or an invited collaborator, as only the owner can change the folder name globally for all users.
Ask the Folder Owner to Rename the Original Folder
To make the new folder name visible to everyone, the original owner must rename the source folder directly.
Because OneDrive treats shared folders added to 'My Files' as local shortcuts, any modifications to the shortcut's name are restricted to your personal view. Global changes require action from the folder owner.
Reach out to the person who originally shared the folder and request the name change.
The owner must navigate to their own OneDrive 'My Files' directory, right-click the original folder, and select 'Rename'.
Once the owner applies the new name, it will automatically update across the shared links for all users without requiring a new invitation.
Rename Your Local Shortcut for Personal Organization
If you only need the folder name changed for your own workflow, you can safely rename the shortcut without affecting others.
Upgrade Your Document Collaboration with WPS Office
While managing shared folders and syncing files across your team, you need a reliable office suite to open and edit your documents. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that easily handles collaborative work.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Synced Cloud Files: Navigate to your local OneDrive sync folder directly from the WPS Office 'Open' menu.
- 3. Edit and Save: Edit your shared Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents natively; your cloud drive will handle the syncing automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will renaming a shared folder shortcut delete the files for everyone else?
No. Renaming the shortcut in your 'My Files' view only changes the display name locally on your account. It does not delete, alter, or rename the actual files for the owner or other users.
Does renaming a OneDrive shortcut trigger a full download of all files?
Simply renaming your local shortcut does not trigger a full re-sync or redownload. However, if the owner stops sharing the original folder and shares a newly named folder, adding that new folder will cause your desktop client to re-sync and download the files.
Why did my shared folder disappear when the owner renamed it?
Normally, an owner renaming a folder does not remove it from your view. However, if the owner decided to delete or unshare the original folder and created a new one with a different name instead of using the 'Rename' function, you will lose access to the old shortcut and need a new sharing link.
