Teams - How to View Teams Files in OneDrive and File Explorer

Files stored in Microsoft Teams can be synchronized to the OneDrive folder on your local computer. This allows you to work with Teams files directly inside your OneDrive folder in File Explorer. There are two ways this can be accomplished. 

Option 1: Add Shortcut To OneDrive (Recommended)

1. In Teams, navigate to the desired team and then to the channel where the files are stored (e.g. General).
2. Choose the Files tab at the top of the team.
3. In the row of icons above the file list, click the three dots (...) and then choose Add Shortcut to OneDrive.
4. If OneDrive is configured to sync with your local computer in File Explorer, navigate to your OneDrive folder. A new folder should appear with the name of the channel. Inside this folder will be a synchronized copy of the files stored in the team/channel.

It is important to note that these files are synchronized between the Microsoft cloud and your local computer in the same way as OneDrive files. Changes made in one place will be synchronized to all other locations where OneDrive or Teams are signed in. Likewise, files deleted from the synchronized local folder will be deleted from Teams/OneDrive.

This method is recommended by Microsoft over Option 2 because it allows files to be accessed on all your devices, whereas Option 2 (Sync button) only applies to the specific device where sync is enabled. Additionally, OneDrive shortcuts offer improved performance versus using the Sync button.

To remove the Teams folder from OneDrive, navigate to the folder in Windows Explorer. Right-click the folder and choose Remove Shortcut. This will remove the folder from OneDrive without removing anything from the team.

Option 2: Use the Sync Button (Not Recommended)

1. In Teams, navigate to the desired team and then to the channel where the files are stored (e.g.: General).
2. Choose the Files tab at the top of the team.
3. In the row of icons above the file list, click the Sync button.
4. Open File Explorer. In the left (Navigation) pane, a new folder called "The Ohio State university will appear. Inside this folder, a new folder should appear with the name of the team and the name of the channel (e.g. My Team - General). Inside this folder will be a synchronized copy of the files stored in the team/channel.

This method is not recommended by Microsoft because it only applies to the device where the sync is enabled.

To stop synchronizing the Teams folder with OneDrive, navigate to the folder in Windows Explorer. Right-click the folder and choose Stop Sync. This will remove the folder from File Explorer without removing anything from the team.

Reference

1. Add shortcuts to shared folders in OneDrive
2. Sync SharePoint and Teams files with your computer