OneDrive (Personal) synced folder bug
See Microsoft “We are aware of the issue” here: link
Issue (the issue is widespread, and it may have occurred in the past, then gone away. At the moment it is unclear whether this is a bug or a feature)
- You can no longer sync shared folders that have been added to your OneDrive.
- Previously synced folder contents are (somewhat safely) deleted.
- This may be an effort to prevent unintended leaks of personal data via the Share with function by non-tech savvy users.
In the past
- You could browse to a web folder that had been shared with you and click Add to my OneDrive.
- This would add a stub folder of the same name that would appear amongst your own folders.
- If you used the OneDrive app to sync your folders, the files would sync and be available on your PC.
Now (for affected users)
- Linked folders have been converted (by Microsoft) from actual folders to a link to a OneDrive URL that brings you to the web version of the folder.
- You can no longer sync those files to your PC.
- Furthermore, previously synced files are deleted from your PC.
Recovery
Most users will not be bothered by this. They will click the link and the page will open.
Users that had been using this feature may be alarmed by the large file deletions that occur. However, in most cases the previously synced files are stub files with no actual content on the drive.
Work should not be lost since OneDrive ensures files are ensured up to date prior to deletion.
Files that are in use or offline will remain on the PC until they are up to date, at which point they are deleted.
Workarounds
There currently is no way to sync files that have been shared with you.
Option 1 is to download the files and transfer them to your own OneDrive manually. There is a high potential for duplicated data during this process. The recommendation (if appropriate) is to delete the source.
Option 2 is to create a third independent OneDrive Personal account (free accounts have 5GB of storage) and share logons. Both parties can then sync source (OneDrive allows multiple accounts to sync).