When you configure Known Folder Move for existing domain-joined Windows profiles, OneDrive may fail to redirect the Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folders. This typically happens because the user profile already contains folder junction points or because Group Policy settings block the initial redirect. The move process often shows no error or stalls silently in the OneDrive sync status. This article explains why KFM fails on existing domain profiles and provides the steps to force the redirect successfully.
Key Takeaways: Fix OneDrive KFM for Existing Domain Profiles
- OneDrive Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup: The primary UI to start KFM; fails silently if folder junctions exist.
- Group Policy: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive: Controls whether KFM is enforced or blocked for domain users.
- Command:
rmdir /s /q %userprofile%\Documents(run as admin): Removes the folder junction so OneDrive can create a real folder and start the move.
Why OneDrive KFM Fails on Existing Domain Profiles
OneDrive Known Folder Move relies on the target folders being standard file system directories. On domain-joined Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines, user profiles often have folder junctions instead of regular folders for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. These junctions are created during the first user sign-in when Folder Redirection Group Policy is applied. OneDrive cannot move a junction point; it expects a real folder with files inside. When the junction is present, the KFM process runs but does not move the folder. The OneDrive icon may show syncing but never completes the redirect.
Another common cause is that the user already manually redirected the folders to a network location. OneDrive will not overwrite an existing redirection target. The KFM button in OneDrive settings appears grayed out or responds with a generic error. Group Policy settings that enforce silent move may also conflict with the existing folder state, causing the service to skip the profile entirely.
Folder Junctions vs Symbolic Links
A folder junction is a filesystem object that points to another directory. In Windows, junctions appear as the original folder name but contain a reparse point. OneDrive reads these as unsupported paths and refuses to initiate the move. Symbolic links behave similarly but are less common in domain profiles. Both must be removed before KFM can run.
Group Policy Interaction
Group policies like “Silently move Windows known folders to OneDrive” or “Prompt users to move Windows known folders” can block or override user-initiated KFM. If the policy is set to “Not configured” or “Disabled”, OneDrive may not attempt the move at all. Check the policy state before troubleshooting the profile.
Steps to Force OneDrive KFM for Existing Domain Profiles
- Verify Group Policy Settings
Open the Group Policy Management Console on a domain controller or use rsop.msc on the affected machine. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive. Confirm that “Silently move Windows known folders to OneDrive” is set to Enabled. If it is set to Disabled or Not configured, KFM will not start automatically. Change the policy to Enabled and rungpupdate /forceon the client. - Check Existing Folder Redirection
Open File Explorer and right-click the Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folder. Select Properties and go to the Location tab. If the path shows a network share (for example, \\server\share\Documents), Folder Redirection is active. You must disable Folder Redirection via Group Policy before KFM can work. Set the policy to “Not configured” and rungpupdate /force. - Remove Folder Junctions Using Command Prompt
Sign in to the affected user account. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Runrmdir /s /q %userprofile%\Desktop. Repeat for%userprofile%\Documentsand%userprofile%\Pictures. This removes the junction point. Do not use File Explorer to delete these folders; the junction will not be removed properly. - Recreate Default Folders
After the junction is removed, reopen File Explorer. The folders will appear missing. Right-click in the user profile root and select New > Folder. Name each folder exactly: Desktop, Documents, Pictures. This step ensures OneDrive finds a real folder to redirect. - Start Known Folder Move in OneDrive Settings
Open OneDrive from the system tray. Select Help & Settings > Settings. Go to the Sync and backup tab and click Manage backup. You should now see the three folders listed with a status of “Not backed up”. Click each folder and then Start backup. OneDrive will move the folder contents to the cloud and set the local folder as a reparse point. - Restart OneDrive and Verify
After the move completes, right-click the OneDrive icon and select Close OneDrive. Open OneDrive again from the Start menu. The sync status should show green checkmarks. Open File Explorer and verify that Desktop, Documents, and Pictures now show the OneDrive icon overlay. Also check the OneDrive website to confirm the folders appear.
If OneDrive KFM Still Does Not Start
OneDrive Shows “Folder Already Being Synced” Error
This error occurs when the user already has a separate OneDrive sync relationship for those folders. Open OneDrive settings and go to the Account tab. Click Stop sync on any existing folder pairs that include Desktop, Documents, or Pictures. Then repeat the KFM steps above.
KFM Button Is Grayed Out
The grayed-out button usually indicates a Group Policy restriction. Confirm that the policy “Prevent users from moving Windows known folders to OneDrive” is set to Disabled or Not configured. If it is Enabled, users cannot start KFM at all. Change the policy and run gpupdate /force.
OneDrive Sync Client Version Is Too Old
KFM requires OneDrive build 19.192 or later. Check the version by right-clicking the OneDrive icon and selecting Settings > About. If the version is older, download the latest OneDrive sync client from the Microsoft 365 admin center or the OneDrive website. Reinstall and then attempt KFM again.
Known Folder Move vs Manual Folder Redirection: Key Differences
| Item | Known Folder Move (OneDrive) | Manual Folder Redirection (Group Policy) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup method | OneDrive settings or Group Policy silent move | Group Policy Management Editor under Folder Redirection |
| Storage location | OneDrive cloud storage | Network share or local server |
| User control | User can stop or change backup in OneDrive settings | Controlled by IT admin; user cannot override |
| Folder behavior | OneDrive creates a reparse point; files sync online | GPO creates a junction point; files stay on server |
| Conflict handling | OneDrive skips existing junctions or redirections | GPO overwrites local folders with network paths |
KFM is designed for cloud-first environments. Manual Folder Redirection is used when organizations need on-premises storage. The two methods cannot coexist on the same folder without manual intervention.
You can now force OneDrive KFM to start on any existing domain profile by removing folder junctions and verifying Group Policy. Next, check the OneDrive sync status for the three known folders after the move completes. An advanced tip: use the OneDriveSetup.exe /silent /configure command with an XML policy file to automate KFM deployment across multiple machines without user interaction.