onedrive non-standard path causing share problems

[mcsa3]

I can't offer share from my onedrive folder. after investigation i discovered that i had a non-standard path to my onedrive.    C:\Users\eleam\onedrive where eleam replaces the defalt Owner. I presume this happened when I installed onedrive to this new laptop. eleam happens to be the first 5 digits of my email address. All was well including project coding until i offered a share to a laptop with the convetional path. Ir failed. I have spent dys conversing with microsoft with no result. I have learned that it is not a simple task to correct this issue but nobody has offered a usable solution. Hopefully someone out there can help.

Edition                Windows 11 Home

Version               25H2

Installed on     ‎29/‎06/‎2025

OS build            26200.6901

Experience       Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.253.0

Device name  jmc

Processor         AMD Ryzen 3 7320U with Radeon Graphics          (2.40 GHz)

Installed RAM 8.00 GB (7.24 GB usable)

Device ID          D4E9A80D-B649-487B-BB47-555B3DE3FF9F

Product ID        00342-21401-02277-AAOEM

System type    64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch               No pen or touch input is available for this display

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mcsa3,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

The issue you’re facing with OneDrive sharing failing due to a non-standard installation path (e.g., C:\Users\eleam\OneDrive instead of the default C:\Users\Owner\OneDrive) is a known limitation because OneDrive uses the user profile path for permissions and sharing links.

Why This Happens

• OneDrive links and sharing permissions rely on the standard user profile path.
• When OneDrive is installed under a custom folder name (like eleam), the system may fail to validate paths for shared links, especially when syncing across devices with conventional paths.

Recommended Steps to Resolve

Option 1: Reset OneDrive to Default Path

1. Back up your files from the current OneDrive folder.
2. Unlink OneDrive: 
   • Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar > Settings > Unlink this PC.
3. Uninstall OneDrive: 
   • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Search for OneDrive > Uninstall.
4. Reinstall OneDrive: 
   • Download from Microsoft OneDrive.
   • During setup, accept the default path: C:\Users\<YourUsername>\OneDrive.

Option 2: Create a New Windows User Profile

• Create a new user account with a standard name.
• Sign in to OneDrive under this profile.
• Move your files to the new OneDrive folder.

Option 3: Use OneDrive Web for Sharing

• Go to OneDrive Online.
• Upload the files you want to share.
• Generate share links from the web interface (this bypasses local path issues).

Important Notes

• There is no supported way to rename the OneDrive folder without unlinking and reinstalling.
• Changing the folder name manually can break sync and permissions.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[mcsa3]

Vikram thank you for the comprehensive response. I need to ask for clarification about "Backup your files from the current hard drive folder". I have a backup in place but thought this only backed up files on my hard drive; not the files in the cloud. This is based on the screen I see when I select Manage Backup in OneDrive Setting. My designated backup drive is a memory stick and the only current folder there is labelled "File History" with 4.87Gb. My OneDrive contains 15.6Gb. Naturally I am nervous about the security of my cloud data and need to be sure I fully understand your instructions. Your further input will be much appreciated.

Michael.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mcsa3,

Thank you for your detailed question, and we completely understand your concern about data safety and what’s included in your backups. Let’s clarify how this works:

When we mention “Backup your files from the current hard drive folder,” we’re referring specifically to local files stored on your PC’s physical drive, for example, those in Documents, Pictures, Desktop, or any custom folder you created locally. Your File History backup (which you mentioned is saved to your memory stick) protects these local files, not your cloud data.

Here’s the key difference:

• OneDrive files are stored in the cloud and already backed up by Microsoft’s secure servers.
• If you have OneDrive files set to “Always keep on this device,” they also exist on your hard drive, and thus those copies will be included in your File History backup.
• However, files that are online-only (visible in File Explorer with a cloud icon) are not stored on your hard drive and therefore are not included in File History backups; they remain safe in OneDrive.

So, to summarize:
✅ Your local files are protected by File History.
✅ Your cloud files are safely stored in OneDrive’s cloud storage.
🚫 File History does not back up cloud-only files because they don’t physically exist on your PC drive.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[mcsa3]

Vikram I can't give enough praise for the detailed information you have provided. However I am still missing something. I chose to go with Option 1. I removed and reinstalled OneDrive. As before I was not given the option to choose a drive path. The new installation  was still on the "eleam" folder. I downloaded the exe from the MS website. Is there a step in the process that I am missing?  Should I (can I) change the folder name manually before reinstalling OneDrive? 

Regards

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mcsa3,

I'm really glad the information has been helpful so far. You're absolutely on the right track with reinstalling OneDrive, but I understand how frustrating it is when it still defaults to the "eleam" folder without giving you the option to choose a new path.

Let’s walk through what might be missing and how to fix it.

Steps to Set a New OneDrive Path

1. Unlink OneDrive Completely

Before uninstalling:

• Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
• Go to Settings > Account > Unlink this PC.

2. Uninstall OneDrive

• Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
• Find Microsoft OneDrive and uninstall it.

3. Delete Configuration Files

This is the key step that’s often missed:

• Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive, and press Enter.
• Delete the entire OneDrive folder.
• Also, check %appdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive and delete that folder too.

4. Reinstall OneDrive

• Download the latest installer from Microsoft OneDrive.
• During setup, you should now be prompted to choose your OneDrive folder location.
• Select your preferred path (e.g., a different drive or folder name).
   

 I hope this helps.
 

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[mcsa3]

Vikram I sorry to say that having successfully following your instructions it failed to solve my issue. I did get the opportunity to select a location for the Onedrive folder. The desired C:\Users\Owner was not shown (as expected). I added Owner manually and got a message to the effect that it is not possible to change path in this location. The added folder has been accepted by Explorer. Any more suggestions?

Michael Coltart

[mcsa3]

Vikram following my post yesterday I tried again with the same result. This time I've attached the msg received when I try to select the Owner folder. mcsa3

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mcsa3,

Thank you for getting back and letting us know that you still have trouble with the product.

To get you further assistance, we need to take this conversation to a private chat. We're inviting you to a private message to protect your privacy and ensure that any sensitive information remains confidential. 

To access your private message, just click the little blue envelope icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile, next to your profile name.  

We're looking forward to helping you resolve this issue!

Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience! 

VikramTheGreat

HP Support