How to remove/UnSync OneDrive files off users laptops? Enterprise Environment

Mason Butts 20 Reputation points
2025-02-24T20:12:46.95+00:00

My company is making the change from allowing users to sync SharePoint files and folders onto their laptops to, only being able to view said documents "Online-Only" (using OneDrive).

I have investigated the follow options provided by Microsoft for "Limit sync for SharePoint site" https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/limit-sync-for-a-sharepoint-site-e17bf52b-fa5d-41cf-9eb0-d3812542424e and this works great for new hires as the option to sync is removed, forcing users to view the documents Online Only. However, for the folks that already have the data synced to their laptops, said data remains after making the change. Is there any known ways to force an Un Sync from the admin side of things? Ensuring SharePoint data is no longer stored locally on the users laptop?

Thanks in advance!

SharePoint Server Management
SharePoint Server Management
SharePoint Server: A family of Microsoft on-premises document management and storage systems.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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  1. Yanli Jiang - MSFT 30,551 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2025-02-25T07:20:24.3833333+00:00

    Hi @Anonymous ,

    Welcome to Q&A forum! we are glad to assist!

    For files that are not synchronized, you can force users to view them online by removing the synchronization option. However, for files that have been synchronized to the local computer, unfortunately, SharePoint currently does not have the ability to delete them. The recommended method is to let users delete them.

    If this is important to you, we recommend that you submit feedback on this issue. This is the best platform to let us hear from you. Microsoft values its customer feedback and a lot of features have been developed and suggested by customers via feedback. Moreover, we also appreciate your question, which can help make our products and services better for you and others.

    Please do let us know if you have any further queries.

    Kindly consider accepting the answer if the information provided is helpful. This can assist other community members in resolving similar issues.


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