Gavin Pitt
asked on
Shared folders OneDrive
I would like to create a folder in my OneDrive that is shared between 5 staff members. I will use this folder to add office templates etc. All users have one drive installed and syncing as well as Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium setup. Is there a way I can create this folder on my end as the administrator and add the files and proceed to share the folder with the specific users. Then when they are next online it will just sync the folders and files to their machines via OneDrive? I know with Dropbox you just share the folder and click on the hyperlink in the email but with OneDrive it does not work this way and the users can only view the shared files via the web portal which they never use. I am trying to avoid having to do all the steps manually for every user every time a shared folder is added as they are not technically proficient at all.
Alternatively, if it's for such a small number of people and i'm guessing you don't have any notable infrastructure, you could just share a folder from your machine and map it on theirs.
You can certainly share it with them, however in order for the folder to sync to their devices, they will have to take some manual actions. It will probably be easier if you just put the folder in a SharePoint site and direct them to it. It's easier to access compared to the "Shared with me" menu, and it's much easier to sync (but still requires them to select it for sync).
To share a folder in OneDrive for Business in a browser
Using the web browser on your device, go to http://portal.office.com and sign in to Office 365 for business using your work or school account.
From the home screen or using the app launcher, choose OneDrive.
Select the folder you want to share, and then choose Share in the ribbon.
Type the email addresses of the people with whom you want to share the folder, and then choose Share.
Source: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/video-share-a-folder-in-onedrive-for-business-with-teammates-2aff5b21-2586-4a80-af7d-6d6ec8ac48e7
Using the web browser on your device, go to http://portal.office.com and sign in to Office 365 for business using your work or school account.
From the home screen or using the app launcher, choose OneDrive.
Select the folder you want to share, and then choose Share in the ribbon.
Type the email addresses of the people with whom you want to share the folder, and then choose Share.
Source: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/video-share-a-folder-in-onedrive-for-business-with-teammates-2aff5b21-2586-4a80-af7d-6d6ec8ac48e7
But at that point it opens in a web browser which is what he didn't want
Agreed.
But, you can add the shared folder to your list of sync folders in OneDrive app.
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/add-and-sync-shared-folders-to-onedrive-8a63cd47-1526-4cd8-bd09-ee3f9bfc1504
But, you can add the shared folder to your list of sync folders in OneDrive app.
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/add-and-sync-shared-folders-to-onedrive-8a63cd47-1526-4cd8-bd09-ee3f9bfc1504
That I did not know, This is why I love EE, always something new to learn :D
Thank you
Alex
Thank you
Alex
ASKER
Thanks for the feedback guys and I came to the same result as Jackie. It is very frustrating that Microsoft had this functionality and decided to remove it. I presume this is because they want people to use Sharepoint or Teams but alas it is just another failure on their behalf and a win for Google Drive and Dropbox. Why they cannot build a product that is easy for end users is extremely frustrating and the average beginner will just presume their product sucks. If I tell each user the procedure above they will just email documents to each other and never do the setup unless I do it for them.
ASKER
I clicked on Teams and it now shows a trial so I presume this will be something that they would have to pay extra for? Also these users are in remote areas with very limited internet connectivity so working a live sharepoint website etc is not a valid solution as it would be more frustrating than functional. They need to work on a document and let it syn in the background even if that takes 10 minutes on 2g.
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This isn't possible, it won't show up in their "List" of folders. Your better option would be a shared drive or use "Teams" which points it to a sharepoint site.