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Remove Synced SharePoint Site Folder from File Explorer

Geeksdigit Team

August 2, 2026

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Microsoft SharePoint allows organizations to store, share, and collaborate on files through the cloud. When you sync a SharePoint document library with OneDrive, the site appears as a separate folder in File Explorer, making it easy to access files directly from your PC without opening a web browser.

Although syncing SharePoint libraries is convenient, there may come a time when you no longer need a particular site synced to your computer. For example, you may have changed departments, left a project, switched accounts, or simply want to reduce clutter in File Explorer. In other cases, the synced SharePoint folder may display sync errors, duplicate folders, or continue appearing even after you no longer use the site.

Fortunately, removing a synced SharePoint folder from File Explorer does not delete the files stored in SharePoint. It only stops syncing the selected library with your computer. The files remain safely stored online and can be accessed later through SharePoint or synced again whenever needed.

This guide explains several methods to remove a synced SharePoint site folder from File Explorer in Windows 11.

What Happens When You Remove a Synced SharePoint Folder?

Removing a synced SharePoint folder only disconnects it from your local computer.

After removing the sync:

• Files remain stored in SharePoint.
• Other team members are unaffected.
• The SharePoint site remains accessible online.
• Local synced copies are removed from File Explorer.
• You can sync the library again at any time.
• Your OneDrive account remains signed in.

If you need offline access again in the future, you can simply sync the SharePoint library again from the SharePoint website.

Method 1: Stop Syncing the SharePoint Folder from OneDrive

The easiest way to remove a SharePoint folder from File Explorer is by stopping the sync through the OneDrive app.

Steps

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area.
2. Click the Settings (gear) icon.
3. Select Settings.
4. Open the Account tab.
5. Under SharePoint libraries or Synced libraries, locate the SharePoint site you want to remove.
6. Click Stop sync beside the library.
7. Confirm the prompt.
8. Wait for OneDrive to remove the synced folder.

After the process finishes, the SharePoint folder disappears from File Explorer while remaining available online.

Method 2: Remove the SharePoint Folder from File Explorer

After stopping synchronization, you can remove any remaining local folder if it still appears.

Steps

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the synced SharePoint folder.
3. Right-click the folder.
4. Select Delete.
5. Empty the Recycle Bin if desired.

Deleting the local synced folder after stopping sync does not remove files from the SharePoint website.

Method 3: Unlink Your Work or School Account

If you no longer use the organization associated with the SharePoint library, unlinking the account removes all synced SharePoint libraries connected to that account.

Steps

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Accounts.
3. Click Access work or school.
4. Select the connected work or school account.
5. Click Disconnect.
6. Confirm the action.
7. Restart your computer.

This method removes organizational synchronization, including SharePoint libraries linked to that account.

Method 4: Unsync the Library from the SharePoint Website

You can also stop syncing directly from the SharePoint site.

Steps

1. Open the SharePoint site in your web browser.
2. Navigate to the synced document library.
3. Click Sync if prompted.
4. When OneDrive opens, choose to stop syncing the existing library if the option is available.
5. Confirm the action.

After synchronization stops, the folder is removed from File Explorer.

Method 5: Pause and Resume OneDrive

Sometimes the SharePoint folder remains visible because OneDrive hasn’t refreshed its sync status.

Steps

1. Click the OneDrive icon.
2. Open Settings.
3. Select Pause syncing.
4. Wait a minute.
5. Click Resume syncing.
6. Allow OneDrive to refresh.

If the library was already removed, it may disappear after the sync refresh.

Method 6: Restart OneDrive

Restarting the OneDrive application refreshes synced folders and removes outdated File Explorer entries.

Steps

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon.
2. Choose Quit OneDrive.
3. Confirm the action.
4. Search for OneDrive from the Start menu.
5. Launch it again.
6. Wait for synchronization to complete.

Check whether the SharePoint folder has disappeared from File Explorer.

Method 7: Restart Windows Explorer

Sometimes File Explorer continues displaying a synced folder even after it has been removed.

Steps

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Locate Windows Explorer.
3. Right-click it.
4. Select Restart.
5. Open File Explorer again.

The outdated folder listing should refresh automatically.

Method 8: Reset OneDrive

If SharePoint folders continue to appear or sync incorrectly, resetting OneDrive rebuilds the sync configuration.

Steps

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Enter the following command:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset

3. Press Enter.
4. Wait several minutes.
5. If OneDrive doesn’t restart automatically, launch it from the Start menu.
6. Sign in again if prompted.

After the reset, verify whether the unwanted SharePoint folder has been removed.

Method 9: Remove Cached Credentials

Old work or school account credentials can occasionally cause SharePoint folders to reappear.

Steps

1. Search for Credential Manager.
2. Open the application.
3. Select Windows Credentials.
4. Locate credentials related to your old SharePoint or Microsoft 365 account.
5. Remove only credentials that are no longer needed.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Sign in to OneDrive again if necessary.

Be careful not to remove credentials for accounts you still actively use.

Method 10: Sign Out and Sign Back Into OneDrive

Refreshing your OneDrive account can resolve sync issues that prevent SharePoint folders from disappearing.

Steps

1. Click the OneDrive icon.
2. Open Settings.
3. Go to the Account tab.
4. Click Unlink this PC.
5. Confirm the action.
6. Sign in again using your Microsoft or work account.
7. Choose only the folders and libraries you want to sync.

This rebuilds the local synchronization configuration.

Method 11: Check Sync Status

If the SharePoint folder is still syncing, Windows won’t remove it until synchronization is complete.

Steps

1. Open the OneDrive app.
2. Review the sync status.
3. Wait for pending uploads or downloads to finish.
4. Resolve any reported sync errors.
5. Stop syncing the library again if necessary.

Once syncing finishes, the folder should be removed normally.

Method 12: Restart Your Computer

After disconnecting SharePoint libraries or resetting OneDrive, restarting Windows refreshes File Explorer and removes cached navigation entries.

Following the restart, verify that the SharePoint folder no longer appears under File Explorer.

Conclusion

Removing a synced SharePoint site folder from File Explorer in Windows 11 simply stops synchronization between your computer and the SharePoint document library. The files remain safely stored in SharePoint, and other users continue to have access without interruption.

In most cases, stopping synchronization through OneDrive is all that’s required. If the folder continues to appear, restarting OneDrive, resetting the sync client, refreshing Windows Explorer, or reconnecting your Microsoft account can resolve lingering sync issues. By following these methods, you can keep File Explorer organized while maintaining full access to your SharePoint files whenever you need them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing a synced SharePoint folder delete files from SharePoint?

No. Removing the synced folder only disconnects it from your computer. The files remain stored safely in SharePoint and are still accessible online.

Can I sync the SharePoint folder again later?

Yes. You can revisit the SharePoint document library in your web browser and select Sync to reconnect it with OneDrive.

Why does the SharePoint folder still appear after stopping sync?

This can happen if OneDrive hasn’t refreshed its sync status or if File Explorer is displaying cached information. Restarting OneDrive or Windows Explorer usually resolves the issue.

Will removing a synced SharePoint folder affect other users?

No. Stopping synchronization only affects your device. Other users with access to the SharePoint site will continue to see and use the files normally.