File Sharing Problems

Why You Cannot Rename or Delete Shared OneDrive Folders

Nimra Malik Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to rename or delete top-level shared folders located in the 'Shared with you' section of OneDrive.

Why You Cannot Rename or Delete Shared OneDrive Folders

Product: OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to organize or remove folders shared by other users in the 'Shared with you' directory.
Observed behavior: The options to rename or delete the shared folder are unavailable or fail, even if the user has edit permissions for the files inside the folder.

Before you start

Verify whether you are the owner of the folder or if it was shared with you by someone else. You can check your specific permissions by right-clicking the folder and viewing its details.

Solution 1Recommended

Manage Files and Subfolders Instead of the Main Shared Folder

Because OneDrive for Business restricts modifying the top-level shared folder, you can organize the contents inside it instead.

In OneDrive for Business, folders shown in the 'Shared with you' section generally cannot be renamed or deleted by the recipient. This is a system limitation designed to maintain consistency for the folder owner and other collaborators.

Open the shared folder

Navigate to the 'Shared with you' section in OneDrive and double-click to open the main shared folder.

Manage sub-contents

Select individual files or subfolders inside the main folder. If the folder owner granted you edit permissions, you can rename, delete, or move these nested items freely.

Manage Files and Subfolders Instead of the Main Shared Folder

Submit Feedback: If this limitation affects your daily workflow, Microsoft encourages submitting feedback directly through the OneDrive Feedback portal to request feature changes.

Solution 2

Add a Shortcut to My Files for Better Organization

Adding a shortcut to your own files allows you to organize the folder within your own directory structure without altering the original shared folder.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ask the folder owner to give me permission to rename the shared folder?

No. In OneDrive for Business, even if the owner gives you full editing rights, the top-level folder in your 'Shared with you' view cannot be renamed by recipients. You can only rename the files or subfolders inside it.

How can I remove a shared folder from my OneDrive view?

If you no longer want to see the folder, you can ask the owner to stop sharing it with you. Once your permissions are revoked, the folder will automatically disappear from your 'Shared with you' list. Alternatively, you can select the folder and click 'Remove from shared list' if the option is available in your version.

Does this folder renaming limitation apply to personal OneDrive accounts as well?

This specific restriction is most prominent in OneDrive for Business. In personal OneDrive accounts, adding a shared folder to your own OneDrive might give you more flexibility, but renaming the root shared folder is generally restricted to prevent sync issues for the original owner.

Document & File Issues