Windows 10: Do you have muliple OneDrive folders that appear in File Exploer?

Microsoft people,


I intend to give a summary of the causes and various solutions to Windows 10 Users who do not like having multiple OneDrive Folders & or icons. I was not able to find a decent answer in Microsoft Community even though the web shows some. I could have used the link but that would really defeat the purpose for using the Community site. The following article is fairly complete. I don't believe it has all the reasons, for example. In a couple instances, I accidentally signed in to OneDrive and used a different sign in (storage location)) because of a redundant system message stating "Please sign in to OneDrive". Dumb message, I already had a OneDrive but when I attempted to sign in it wouldn't let me until I changed the location. I can't recall where this message originated from, either the "Notification area", AKA system tray /start-ups or from the "AllApps" menu, "File Explorer", Task-bar ...

In other words, do not sign in to multiple locations. If you must sign in and it won't let you unless you change the storage location, "SIGN IN ELSEWHERE". Some are listed above but you can add the browser version, the OneDrive/File Explorer app, if you have it, it will show in "Allapps" as a folder w/ a cloud icon. There is also the OneDrive app. the list! I believe this bug has been removed. Last thing before I let you get to it, you probably need to copy and paste all the files and individual items into a non-cloud folder. as well as sign out of your One Drive. Remember there are a pathway links to the ones that show the same items, so choose or combine the correct methods. Don't worry you backed it up, right? Oh, if you have multiple computers, I'd sign out there too, it couldn't hurt,


Note:

a.) I had 6 OneDrives showing in File Explore and 1 was different!. Also, when you copy items, make sure you don't include OneDrive or you'll end up with the same issue again

b.) When backing up your OneDrive, just copy the contents, not the OneDrive.


In most instances, multiple OneDrive are just a cosmetic issue. Here are 3 variations / scenarios:

1. Both the folders have the same exact data and sync correctly. This means that the problem is only limited to what the Windows Explorer is showing. But it can still cause confusion in the future especially if the syncing stops for one folder
2. Both folders have different data. This is obviously a problem since you want your data to be at a single place.
3. Both folders have different data and your apps store data in the older folder rather than the newer one.

The problem basically occurs because of the Windows upgrade and drive name. If your drive was named SkyDrive in your previous Windows then upgrading to Windows 10 (where it is named OneDrive) causes this issue. Since the SkyDrive and OneDrive names are different, your system treats them differently and hence the 2 separate folders. This also is the reason for different data because some apps might still be set to store data in the older folder. If both of the drives have the same data and syncs correctly then it is mainly because of the issue with the Windows 10 and its upgrade.


Whatever is the reason or the case, there are plenty of methods mentioned below so follow them one by one until your problem is solved.


Note: It is advised to perform a backup of your data that is in OneDrive folders just to make sure no data loss occur.

Method 1: Unlinking and Linking the OneDrive


If you unlink the OneDrive and then re-Link it back then the problem might be solved. Follow the steps given below to unlink and re-link the OneDrive

1. Right click your OneDrive icon in the system tray (right bottom corner). If you can’t see it then you might have to click the upward arrow button and it will show up.
2. Select Settings
   
   ​
3. Select Account tab
4. Click Unlink this PC
   
   ​
5. Click Unlink account

​

Now restart your computer and check if the issue is still there or not.

Method 2: Reset OneDrive


Resetting OneDrive also solves the problem if the second instance is just showing in the File Explorer without any back link.

1. Hold Windows key and press R
2. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset and press Enter

​

Now check your system tray (right bottom corner) and you should be able to see OneDrive icon disappear and reappear after a couple of minutes.


If it doesn’t, you can restart the OneDrive yourself.

1. Hold Windows key and press R
2. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe and press Enter

​

This should start the OneDrive again. Once it is started check if the extra instance is gone or not.

Method 3: Switching Accounts


Switching from a Microsoft’s Account to a local account and switching back again to the Microsoft Account solves the problem. This is so because this process completely refreshes the OneDrive service which sometimes removes the extra instance of OneDrive

PRO TIP: If the issue is with your computer or a laptop/notebook you should try using Reimage Plus which can scan the repositories and replace corrupt and missing files. This works in most cases, where the issue is originated due to a system corruption. You can download Reimage by Clicking Here​

1. Press Windows Key once
2. Select Settings
3. Click Accounts
   
   ​
4. Click Sign in with a local account instead
   
   ​
5. Enter the password of your current Microsoft account
6. Type in your username and password.
7. Click Next

Repeat the above steps with your local account and select Sign in with a Microsoft account instead in step 4 to switch back to Microsoft Account.


Once you are done, check if the extra instance of OneDrive is gone or not.

Method 4: Using Registry Editor


You can also use Registry Editor to delete the registry of the extra OneDrive. This seems to work for most of the users.

1. Hold Windows key and press E
2. Check which one of the OneDrive instance contains your latest data and sync with it. Meaning which one is extra that you need to delete.
3. Right click the OneDrive folder that contains your data and rename it to whatever you want. Also, backup your data to prevent data loss
4. Hold Windows key and press R
5. Type regedit.exe and press Enter
6. Go to this location HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace If you don’t know how to navigate then follow the steps given below
   1. Double click HKEY_CURRENT_USER (from the left pane)
   2. Double click SOFTWARE (from the left pane)
   3. Double click Microsoft (from the left pane)
   4. Double click Windows (from the left pane)
   5. Double click CurrentVersion (from the left pane)
   6. Double click Explorer (from the left pane)
   7. Double click Desktop (from the left pane)
   8. Double click Namespace (from the left pane)
      
      ​
      ​
      ​
7. Locate the folders that has OneDrive entry in it (from the left pane). You can click the folders one by one and look at the right pane to see the name of the registry. It should say OneDrive.
8. Right click the OneDrive entry then select Delete

This should remove the extra instance folder showing up in the Windows Explorer. If it doesn’t work then restart the computer and then check.

Method 5: Using Registry Editor (Alternative)


This isn’t a solution but more of a hack to hide the extra OneDrive instance. This is suitable for people whose OneDrive instances properly sync and have the same data and can’t get rid of the extra folder for some reason. This solution will simply hide the extra folder and not purely remove it.

1. Hold Windows key and press R
2. Type regedit.exe and press Enter
3. Go to this location HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace If you don’t know how to navigate then follow the steps given below
   1. Double click HKEY_CURRENT_USER (from the left pane)
   2. Double click SOFTWARE (from the left pane)
   3. Double click Microsoft (from the left pane)
   4. Double click Windows (from the left pane)
   5. Double click CurrentVersion (from the left pane)
   6. Double click Explorer (from the left pane)
   7. Double click Desktop (from the left pane)
   8. Double click Namespace (from the left pane)
4. Locate the folders that has OneDrive entry in it (from the left pane). You can click the folders one by one and look at the right pane to see the name of the registry. It should say OneDrive. Copy or note the name of this folder somewhere
5. Now navigate to this path HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\ by double clicking HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and then double clicking CLSID folder
6. Locate the folder with the same name as that of OneDrive folder (that you noted in step 4).
7. Click the folder
8. Double click the entry (right pane) named System.IsPinnedtoNameSpaceTree
   
   ​
9. Make its value 0 and click Ok

This should hide the folder. If you want to reshow the folder again then just repeat all the above steps and make this value 1 again.

Thanks,

William

r.e.t.r.a.c.

:)

 

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There is a possibility that the Music folder is synced to your OneDrive that is why any files deleted from either of the folders is synced to the other. For us to better assist you with the said folder, we'd like to ask for additional information:

• Can you please provide a screenshot of the Music folder from the OneDrive folder and home folder?
• What are the troubleshooting steps that you were advised to do?

We will wait for your quick response.