View SharePoint files in File Explorer
Applies To
Important: In 2021, we announced that Microsoft 365 apps and services would no longer support Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11). As a result, we no longer recommend the View in File Explorer command (in the modern SharePoint experience). As alternatives, you can do one of the following:
Add shortcut to My files in OneDrive so that content can be accessed on all devices
In comparison to View in File Explorer command method, Adding shortcut to My files and Syncing are faster and more reliable for putting SharePoint files into folders on your device. After setting your files up by either adding shortcut or syncing, you can then manage your synced files in File Explorer. Let's see how:
Add shortcut to My files in OneDrive
Add shortcut to My files (adding OneDrive shortcuts) allows content to be accessed on all devices. Additionally, (OneDrive) shortcuts offer improved performance versus using the sync button. Therefore, we recommend Adding shortcut to My files (OneDrive) as the most versatile option when available.
To add shortcut to My files in OneDrive, follow these steps:
Sign into the SharePoint site you want to sync files and folders from.
Select the library where your files and folders are. Then select Add shortcut to OneDrive.
A message will appear after the shortcut is created. Select My files to view the newly added shortcut to your files and folders.
After adding shortcut to OneDrive, you can now view your SharePoint files and folder in File Explorer via OneDrive.
Sync SharePoint files and folders
You can set up Sync the files in your Microsoft 365 or SharePoint site libraries so they’re always available on your computer, even when you’re offline. To sync your SharePoint files and folders, follow these steps:
Sign into the SharePoint site you want to sync files and folders from.
Select the library where your files and folders are. Then select Sync.
Sign in to OneDrive to start syncing your files and finish OneDrive setup.
You can now view your synced files in File Explorer.
Note: If you have Internet Explorer and you are using the classic SharePoint experience, you can see how to Copy or move library files by using Open with Explorer.
What are the differences between Add shortcut to My files, Sync, and View in File Explorer?
Add shortcut to My files, Sync, and View in File Explorer connect a SharePoint library with a folder on your desktop, but there are differences:
Both Add shortcut to My files and Sync use the OneDrive sync app to create a more permanent folder that you can use on a daily basis. All content that you add to, edit, or remove from either the online SharePoint library or your local computer in Explorer or Finder automatically syncs with the other location. For example, once you sync a library, you can save directly from Word or Excel to your local computer in Explorer or Finder, and everything is automatically uploaded to the SharePoint library. If you save something to the desktop folder while you're working offline, Sync will update the SharePoint library as soon as you're back online.
Add shortcut to My files (adding OneDrive shortcuts) allows content to be accessed on all devices, whereas Sync is related to a specific device. Additionally, OneDrive shortcuts offer improved performance versus using the sync button.
The View in File Explorer command uses a temporary folder that opens in File Explorer. That folder only lasts until you close it and the content is saved to SharePoint. So using View in File Explorer gives you one-time access to the SharePoint library by way of your desktop folders. By default, the View in File Explorer menu option will not be visible to you or users in the SharePoint modern document library interface. In certain cases, organizations may still need to use View in File Explorer to access modern document libraries. Starting in Microsoft Edge Stable version 93, you can enable the View in File Explorer capability on SharePoint for modern document libraries.
Warning: Again, we no longer recommend the View in File Explorer command (in the modern SharePoint experience). The following information applies only when you choose to use the View in File Explorer command.