Why Does OneDrive Keep Duplicating Files?

OneDrive may duplicate files for several reasons, most of which are related to sync conflicts, connectivity issues, or naming conventions. Here are some common causes and solutions:

1. File Naming Conflicts

• Cause: If a file is edited on multiple devices while offline or in poor network conditions, OneDrive might not merge the changes correctly. It duplicates the file with a suffix like “(1)” or “(2)” to prevent overwriting the original.
• Solution: Ensure you’re connected to the internet before editing files on multiple devices. Keep OneDrive updated on all devices to minimize conflicts.

2. Unsynced Changes

• Cause: If changes are made to a file when OneDrive isn’t fully synced (e.g., when the device is offline), it may create duplicates when syncing resumes to save all versions.
• Solution: Ensure OneDrive is fully synced before editing. You can check sync status by looking for the green checkmark.

3. Manual Copying or Dragging

• Cause: Accidentally dragging or copying files to the same folder in OneDrive can create duplicates.
• Solution: Be cautious when moving or copying files, especially in synced folders. Manually clean up any duplicates that appear.

4. Automatic Backup and Sync Settings

• Cause: If you have automatic backup settings turned on (e.g., Documents, Pictures, Desktop folders synced to OneDrive), you might end up with duplicates if the same files are saved in multiple locations.
• Solution: Review your OneDrive backup settings and make sure you’re not backing up the same folder or files multiple times.

5. Sync Errors or Crashes

• Cause: OneDrive can sometimes crash or experience sync errors, which may result in file duplication when syncing resumes.
• Solution: Check the sync status of your OneDrive client. Restarting OneDrive or resetting its cache can help resolve sync errors.

6. Sharing and Collaboration Conflicts

• Cause: If multiple people are editing a shared file simultaneously without proper version control, OneDrive may create duplicates to ensure no changes are lost.
• Solution: Use the “co-authoring” feature in OneDrive for real-time collaboration. Encourage all collaborators to use OneDrive online or keep the file synced to avoid conflicts.

7. Third-Party Sync Tools

• Cause: Using third-party tools or backup software that syncs with OneDrive may cause duplicated files if the sync processes interfere with each other.
• Solution: If you’re using any other cloud backup tools, disable them or configure them to avoid syncing with OneDrive.

How to Fix Duplicates:

1. Manual Cleanup: Manually delete the duplicate files if they are not needed.
2. Use OneDrive’s Version History: This can help you identify and restore the correct versions of files.
3. Reset OneDrive Sync: You can reset OneDrive to fix persistent sync issues. Keep a local backup of your files before resetting.

By addressing the above issues, you can reduce or eliminate file duplication in OneDrive.

Related articles:

How to Share Documents in Microsoft OneDrive

External learning resources:

Use OneDrive in Microsoft 365