Missing shared drive or folder? Check SharePoint and OneDrive first

Use this guide when: a residential or department folder is missing, an old drive-letter shortcut fails, or a folder does not appear in File Explorer.

Some People Incorporated shared folders are moving from old mapped drives to SharePoint and OneDrive. In recent cases, IT restored access by adding the correct SharePoint shortcut to OneDrive/File Explorer. A broken old shortcut does not necessarily mean your files are gone.

1. Check whether the folder is available on the web

1. Open your normal People Incorporated SharePoint or department link using your work Microsoft account. If you do not know the correct link, ask your manager or IT.
2. Open the department’s document library and look for the folder. You can also check Shared → With you in your work OneDrive.
3. If the folder opens in the browser, you have at least the access needed for that action; the missing item in File Explorer may be a shortcut or sync issue.
4. If you see Access denied, cannot see the folder, or cannot save changes, record the exact folder and message. A shortcut does not grant new permissions.

2. Add a shortcut only when you already have access

1. In the SharePoint library, select the approved folder—not an individual document.
2. Choose Add shortcut to OneDrive or Add shortcut to My files, depending on the label shown.
3. Open File Explorer and check the OneDrive location bearing your organization’s name. Confirm the work OneDrive app is signed in and allow it time to update.
4. If the command is missing, the shortcut may already exist or there may be another restriction. Ask IT rather than adding multiple sync connections to the same folder.

Do not delete a shared folder to remove a shortcut. That can delete shared content. Ask IT to help remove obsolete shortcuts or drive mappings.

3. If the folder is still on a legacy network drive

When working away from the local network, follow the existing Banyan remote-drive guidance for an approved, IT-configured device. A SharePoint folder and a legacy drive have different access methods. If you do not know which your folder uses, give IT its name instead of guessing.

4. If permissions are missing

Your manager must submit the access request to it@peopleincfr.org. Include your work email, exact folder location, the access needed, and the business reason. Do not copy the folder to personal storage or ask a colleague to sign in for you.

Check the result

Open a document you are authorized to use. If editing is required, check you can save a normal work change in the approved location. Tell IT if viewing works but saving does not.

Still need help?

Submit an IT support ticket and include the exact folder/link, whether it opens in the browser, whether viewing or saving fails, your device name, and whether you are on-site or remote. If a previous ticket is resolved or closed, start a new ticket and mention its number.