Why Shared OneDrive Folders Appear as Separate Entries
Question details
The user is asking why folders shared by another person in OneDrive for Business are displayed as individual, separate entries rather than being grouped together.
- Product
- OneDrive for Business
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing shared files and folders in the OneDrive interface.
- Observed behavior
- The Shared section lists each file and folder as an individual entry instead of grouping them by the sender or preserving the original hierarchical grouping.
Verify that you are using OneDrive for Business and log in to the web interface to ensure you are seeing the most recent layout and sorting options provided by Microsoft.
Understand the Expected Behavior and Submit Feedback
Currently, displaying shared folders as separate entries is the standard behavior in OneDrive to prioritize quick access to specific content.
Microsoft updated the OneDrive for Business interface to list individual files and folders shared with you as separate items. This design aims to provide immediate, convenient access to specific shared content without having to navigate through multiple grouping levels.
Because this is the default and expected behavior, there is no standard setting in OneDrive to revert to the old grouping method.
Log in to your OneDrive for Business account via your preferred web browser.
Click on 'Shared' in the left-hand navigation pane to view all files and folders that have been shared with you.
If you prefer the old grouping style, click the 'Feedback' icon (usually a smiley face or located in the Help and Settings menu) at the top right corner of the screen, and submit a feature request to restore folder grouping.
Add Shortcuts to 'My Files' for Custom Grouping
Since you cannot change the default Shared view, you can organize shared folders your own way by adding a shortcut to your own files.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I group shared files by the sender in OneDrive?
While the default 'Shared' view lists items individually, you can use the 'Filter' or 'Sort by' options at the top of the file list to sort items alphabetically by the name of the person who shared them with you.
Why did my OneDrive Shared view change recently?
Microsoft routinely updates the OneDrive interface to streamline file access for business users. The shift to displaying shared items as separate entries was implemented to make it faster to find specific files without digging through grouped folders.
Will adding a shortcut to 'My files' alter or move the original shared folder?
No, adding a shortcut only creates a clickable link in your 'My files' directory. The original file remains untouched in the original owner's OneDrive, and your access permissions are unchanged.
Does this separate entry behavior affect my personal OneDrive account?
This specific flattened view is primarily observed in OneDrive for Business. However, because Microsoft aims for interface consistency across its products, similar layout adjustments may apply to personal accounts over time.
