Watch Where You Create Folders in File Explorer
If your business uses Microsoft Teams and you have your files synced to File Explorer on your PC, there is an important mistake to be aware of. It is easy to make, easy to miss, and can result in files being lost or invisible to the rest of your team.
When Teams files are synced to your PC, they appear as a folder in File Explorer, usually under your organisation name in the blue ‘Office Towers’ icon. This is convenient and works well when used correctly.
The problem occurs when someone creates a new folder in the wrong location. Instead of creating the folder ‘inside’ the synced Teams folder, they accidentally create it one level too high, at the root of the sync area or directly on the C drive. The folder looks like it is in the right place, but it is not actually connected to Teams or SharePoint at all.
The result:
- The folder and everything saved inside it exists only on that one computer
- It is not visible to anyone else in the team
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It is not synced up to the cloud
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As it isnt synced to the cloud, it isnt captured by Avepoint backup systems
- If that PC is replaced, reset, or fails, the files are gone
This is sometimes called an orphaned folder. It looks normal, but it is sitting outside the sync boundary.
How to avoid it
Before saving anything to a synced Teams folder in File Explorer, check that you are working ‘inside’ the correct folder, not above it. If you are unsure, the safest option is to work directly inside the Teams app instead of File Explorer, although of course we understand sometimes File Explorer is easier.
Using Teams directly is the safer default
For most users, working through the Teams client (or the browser version at https://teams.microsoft.com) is the recommended approach for day-to-day file access. When you open, edit, or create files through Teams itself, you are always working in the right location and changes sync automatically.
Syncing to File Explorer is useful in specific situations, for example if you need to work offline or drag and drop large numbers of files. But for general use, the Teams client removes the risk of accidentally saving files in the wrong place.
A quick rule of thumb
If you are ever unsure whether a folder is truly synced, open the Teams app and check whether the folder appears in the Files/Shared tab of the relevant channel. If it is not there, it may not be living where you think it is and warrants investigation.
If you have any concerns about where your files are being saved, or want us to check your sync setup, reach out to the Anvil support team.
Stay safe with your saves, The Anvil Team