Sync any folder to OneDrive without moving it to local OneDrive folder

Problem

I’ve been using c:\work folder forever to store my work related semi-temporary files on my laptop hard drive. Although losing contents of that folder due to hard drive issue or similar wouldn’t cause much downtime in my work (as all important files are stored in the cloud), I still didn’t feel too relaxed with the possibility of losing even 5 minutes of work in case that folder somehow disappeared.

Few times I’ve decided to move my c:\work to OneDrive for Business folder in order to sync work related files automatically to business version of OneDrive hosted in Office 365. However, each time I’ve got frustrated by the fact that finding the OneDrive folder in File Explorer is so difficult.

Sure, using Favorites or Quick Access (as in Windows 10), I can get there pretty easily, but still, it will add at least one additional folder level and lots of clikety clicks with my tired little mouse to get where I want to go. Plus, just looking at the left pane in File Explorer that is so full with items (several instances of OneDrive, DLNA devices just below This PC, Control Panel?!, yet again same libraries, Desktop items at the root, Music, Videos, Pictures, etc.) makes me want to cry.

Solution

Use junction points to direct content from c:\work into your OneDrive folder, such as C:\Users\Jussi\OneDrive - Sulava Oy\Work. After creating junction point such as this, all content you add to c:\work will actually reside in the OneDrive folder, and are synced to OneDrive normally. And best of all, I can still use c:\work like I’ve always used.

Steps how to do this:

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Type in mklink /j c:\Work "C:\Users\Jussi\OneDrive - Sulava Oy\Work"

NOTE! If the command above doesn't work, you may not be able to create symbolic link to an existing folder, in that case use steps:

1. Rename your existing c:\work (or whatever your folder is called) to e.g., c:\work_old
2. Create Work folder into the OneDrive folder, e.g., C:\Users\Jussi\OneDrive - Sulava Oy\Work
3. Open Command Prompt
4. Type in mklink /j c:\Work "C:\Users\Jussi\OneDrive - Sulava Oy\Work"
5. Move old content from c:\work_old to c:\work and confirm that Work folder under OneDrive folder starts syncing and eventually goes green

NOTE! As there is really just one instance of files on your hard drive, if you remove folder under OneDrive folder, it will also be removed from the junction point location.