Resolving OneDrive and SharePoint Download Issues and Removing Synced Folders

Overview

Downloading large volumes of files from OneDrive and SharePoint can sometimes trigger security measures, resulting in incomplete downloads or errors. This article provides solutions for efficiently downloading files and instructions for removing synced OneDrive folders from File Explorer after the download is complete.

Target Audience

Everyone

Instructions

Downloading Files from OneDrive and SharePoint

There are two primary methods for downloading large volumes of files from OneDrive and SharePoint:

Using the SYNC Link In OneDrive:

• Open OneDrive in your web browser.

• Navigate to the folder you want to download.

• Click the "Sync" button located in the toolbar at the top of the page. This will prompt you to open OneDrive on your computer and add the folder to your File Explorer.

  

• You can now download the files from your computer instead of the web interface to avoid security issues caused by excessive instances of downloads.

Note: This option leaves a leftover link in your File Explorer, which will need to be cleaned up later.

Using the SYNC Link In SharePoint:

• Open SharePoint in your web browser.

• Navigate to the document library containing the files you want to download.

• Click the "Sync" button located in the toolbar at the top of the page. This will prompt you to open OneDrive on your computer and sync the document library to your File Explorer.

• You can now download the files from your computer instead of the web interface to avoid security issues caused by excessive instances of downloads.

Note: This option leaves a leftover link in your File Explorer, under Sault College, which will need to be cleaned up later.

Downloading from the Web Interface'

Using one of the below two methods can be helpful if you are preparing files for someone else to download or if you need to manage large volumes of data efficiently.

1. Download small chunks of files every hour to avoid triggering security measures.

2. Use the SYNCed folders in File Explorer:

   • Create a compressed folder in File Explorer (the SYNC folder on your computer).

Note: Creating compressed folders isn’t an option available on the web interface.

• Move all files into the compressed folder.

• Download the compressed folder using the OneDrive web interface, which is counted as one instance. Using this technique, Microsoft won’t filter it as a security issue.

Handling Error Files and Microsoft Download Blocks

When Microsoft blocks downloads due to security measures, it creates generic error files as placeholders for the files you attempted to download. These files contain specific error messages indicating why the download failed. Here’s what you need to know and how to address these errors:

Common Error Messages and Their Locations:

• File Name Too Long:

  • Issue: The path or file name exceeds the allowable length.
  • Solution: Shorten the file names or move the files to a higher-level folder to reduce the path length.
  • Location: Look for error files with messages about file name length in the same directory where the download was attempted.

• Too Many Requests:

  • Issue: The system detected too many simultaneous download requests and blocked them as a security measure.
  • Solution: Download files in smaller batches over a longer period. Try downloading every hour, or even longer if necessary.
  • Location: Error files indicating too many requests will be found in the folder you were trying to download.

• Access Denied:

  • Issue: You may not have the necessary permissions to download certain files.
  • Solution: Check the file permissions and ensure you have the appropriate access rights.
  • Location: These error messages can be found in the error files within the download directory or directly in the OneDrive/SharePoint web interface.

• __all_error:

  • Issue: This error typically indicates a general sync issue where OneDrive is unable to sync files due to various reasons, such as network problems, file name issues, or service interruptions.
  • Solution: Troubleshoot based on the specific cause mentioned in the error message.
  • Location: The __all_error file will be located in the directory where the sync was attempted.

• __{name}_error:

  • Issue: This type of error usually points to a specific issue related to the file or folder name. For example, it might indicate that the file name contains invalid characters or exceeds the maximum length allowed.
  • Solution: Correct the file or folder name to comply with the allowed parameters.
  • Location: The __{name}_error file will be found in the same directory where the problematic file or folder is located.

Steps to Resolve Issues:

1. Interpreting Error Files:

   • Open the error file to read the specific error message.
   • Identify the type of error based on the message provided.

2. Addressing the Error:

   • Apply the relevant solution based on the error message (as outlined above).

3. Retrying the Download:

   • After addressing the error, attempt to download the files again using the appropriate method (SYNC or web interface).

By understanding these error messages and their solutions, you can effectively address issues related to Microsoft download blocks and ensure successful file transfers.

Removing a Synced OneDrive Folder from File Explorer

Once you have completed your downloads, you may want to remove the synced OneDrive folder from your File Explorer to keep it organized. Follow these steps:

1. Open OneDrive Settings

   • Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar (bottom-right corner of your screen).

   • Select "Help & Settings" and then "Settings."

2. Unlink the OneDrive Account

   • Go to the "Account" tab.

   • Click "Unlink this PC" to disconnect your OneDrive account from the computer.

3. Remove the Synced Folder

   • Open File Explorer.

   • Navigate to the OneDrive folder.

   • Right-click on the OneDrive folder and select "Delete" to remove it from your File Explorer.

What Happens to the Files?

• On your computer: When you unlink the OneDrive account or delete the synced folder from File Explorer, the local copies of the files will be removed from your computer.

• In OneDrive/SharePoint: The original files will remain in OneDrive or SharePoint. They will not be deleted from the source. You can access them again by re-syncing your OneDrive account or by using the web interface.

Important to Know:

• If you need to access the files again on your computer, you will need to sync OneDrive/SharePoint again.

• Removing the synced folder from File Explorer does not delete the files from OneDrive or SharePoint; it only removes the local copies from your device.

• Always ensure you have completed all necessary downloads before unlinking your OneDrive account or removing the synced folder to avoid any data loss.

By following these steps, you can efficiently download files from OneDrive and SharePoint while avoiding security issues and keep your File Explorer organized by removing synced folders when they're no longer needed.