This site requires JavaScript to be enabled
80 views

9.0 - Last modified on 2025-03-28 Revised by Lisa Chen

8.0 - Last modified on 2023-05-31 Revised by Lisa Chen

7.0 - Last modified on 2023-05-31 Revised by Lisa Chen

6.0 - Last modified on 2023-02-24 Revised by Lisa Chen

5.0 - Last modified on 2022-11-17 Revised by Lisa Chen

4.0 - Last modified on 2022-03-01 Revised by Heather Postill

3.0 - Last modified on 2021-09-24 Revised by Lisa Chen

2.0 - Last modified on 2021-08-10 Revised by Heather Postill

Syncing a SharePoint Document Library with the OneDrive Sync Client

If your site administrator allows it, you can sync any SharePoint document library to your desktop using the OneDrive sync client.

The sync client creates a real-time connection to your site. It is not a local copy. Any changes made, including deletions, are automatically sync'd between the server and your desktop. 

Known Issues

  • Metadata cannot be updated using the Sync client
  • If your library contains required metadata, documents will be read-only in the Sync client
  • If the files' URL path exceeds 265 characters, there's an increased chance of disconnecting from the SharePoint library. This is caused by long file names and too many subfolders
  • The risk of disconnection is higher with large libraries (max sync is 300,000 items)
  • A sync may revert the library to a previous state, deleting files without warning and unrecoverable from the Recycle bin. The library can be restored to a previous state, but all changes made after that date will be permanently lost

Syncing a Document Library

  1. Sign into the SharePoint site that contains your desired document library.  
  2. Open the library that you wish the sync. 
  3. Click on Sync.  

 

  • If you see a pop-up prompting you to select a program to perform the sync, choose Microsoft OneDrive and select next.  
  • You will now see your SharePoint library appearing as a folder in File Explorer.

 

To stop syncing you must first unlink the library or folder. Do not simply delete a folder or a library from the sync client without unlinking or else you risk deleting all the content for everyone. For instructions on stopping sync see KB0010295.

Other resources

Attachments Pasted image.pngPasted image.png