Working with Shared (with you) OneDrive Files/Folders

OneDrive files that have been shared with you are available from OneDrive on the web or locally through File Explorer/OneDrive app on your computer.

Accessing OneDrive Files and Folders via the Web

You can access your OneDrive files from any computer with an Internet connection using a web browser and logging into office365.psu.edu

  1. Open the web browser of your choosing and go to http://office365.psu.edu
  2. Log in with your Penn State userid and password
  3. In the upper left corner, click the App launcher square (looks like a 2D rubics cube)
  4. Select the OneDrive app (blue cloud)
  5. In the upper left corner, you can select to view your personal files (My Files) or files that have been shared with you (Shared)

Making Shared Folders Available in File Explorer/OneDrive App on Local Computer

If you would like to use File Explorer on your local computer to access OneDrive files that have been shared with you, you can configure shortcuts. NOTE: There is a alternate method for similarly making shared files available (using the Sync button), but Ag IT prefers the shortcut method described below.

  1. Open the web browser of your choosing and go to http://office365.psu.edu
  2. Log in with your Penn State userid and password
  3. In the upper left corner, click the App launcher square (looks like a 2D rubics cube)
  4. Select the OneDrive app (blue cloud)
  5. Click the Shared option on the left
  6. Click the Shared with you option at the top (if not already selected)
  7. Click to select the folder you want to make available in File Explorer.
  8. Click the Add Shortcut to My Files option from the ribbon
    • A pop-up window should appear letting you know the shortcut was created
  9. Open File Explorer and you should see the folder within your OneDrive folder.
    • NOTE: the icon for folders created from shortcuts will look slightly different (will have a small blue link image)

Removing Shortcuts to Shared OneDrive Files

If you no longer need to access shared OneDrive files, you need to remove the shortcuts you previously created. IMPORTANT: You should NOT simply delete the folders.

  1. Open File Explorer and locate the folder you no longer want to be available.
  2. Right-click the folder name
  3. Select the Remove shortcut option

Video Tutorial