How to identify OneDrive Synchronisations done via sync button?

Damien E 20 Reputation points
2025-02-28T15:17:26.8266667+00:00

So....

We've all been use to using the Sync button option within SharePoint via OneDrive to synchronise a document library and to have access to this via File Explorer.

Now the correct process has changed and MS now tell us that Shortcuts are the new norm.

So in an environment where users have been using old work process and now need to change...
How do you identify users, still using the sync option via OneDrive compared to the shortcut option.

You would think there was an easy way..no. After opening a MS support ticket Purview audit gets you part of the way https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/55583/can-you-see-which-users-have-sharepoint-sites-sync

But this can't differentiate between OneDrive sync from desktop/documents/pictures to SharePoint Document Library syncs.

So question is, has anyone found a way to figure this out or is this a pointless task?

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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Accepted answer
  1. Emily Du-MSFT 51,116 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2025-03-03T09:20:44.2766667+00:00

    Although Shortcut is a new process where SharePoint document libraries are 'linked' to the user’s environment, it is still possible to use the sync button option within SharePoint via OneDrive to synchronize a document library and have access to it via file explorer.

    Identifying OneDrive synchronizations done via the sync button is a pointless task. It does not affect the user's ability to sync files.


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