How to Manage Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive Sync Conflicts on Shared Devices

Shared workstations used by multiple users in shift-based environments often experience sync issues when cloud storage clients run simultaneously. These conflicts can lead to duplicate files, data corruption, or user confusion. This article explains how to prevent and manage cloud storage conflicts.

How to manage cloud storage conflicts on shared devices

Managing cloud storage requires understanding application sync behavior, blocking concurrent client execution, detecting sync conflicts, and configuring registry keys to prevent auto-start.

📌 Prerequisites:

• Windows 10/11 Pro or Enterprise
• Dropbox, Google Drive for Desktop, and OneDrive clients installed
• PowerShell 5.1+
• Admin access for registry and GPO settings

📌 Recommended deployment strategies:

Part 1: Understand application sync behavior

This method forms the foundation of effective cloud storage management. To resolve issues, you first need to understand how each application behaves.

📌 Use Case: IT admins or advanced users who want to better understand how application sync behaves

With this information in mind, conflicts often occur when:

• Users are simultaneously logged in with Fast User Switching
• Sync clients attempt to write to the same directory
• Shared folders have conflicting edits or locks

Part 2: Block concurrent sync client execution with GPO

This method blocks concurrent sync client execution, preventing multiple sync clients from running on the same device simultaneously.

📌 Use Case: IT admins who want to block concurrent sync client execution using PowerShell

1. Press Win, type PowerShell, then click Run as administrator.
2. Copy and paste the following scripts into the prompt, then press Enter:

• • OneDrive:

Set-ItemProperty -Path “HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive” -Name “DisableFileSyncNGSC” -Value 1 -Type DWord

• • GoogleDrive:

Remove-ItemProperty -Path “HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run” -Name “GoogleDriveFS”

• • Dropbox:

Use a software restriction policy or AppLocker to limit Dropbox access to specific users.

💡 Note: The HKCU path in the Google Drive script means it only affects the current user.

⚠️ Warning: Before deploying the settings change on different endpoints, it’s best to test it out on a local machine first. (For more info, refer to: Things to look out for)

Part 3: Detect sync conflicts with CMD and PowerShell

This method lets you detect sync conflicts using CMD and PowerShell.

📌 Use Case: IT admins who want to determine which apps are causing conflicts

Press Win, type PowerShell, then click Run as administrator.

Copy and paste the following scripts into the prompt, then press Enter:

• Check OneDrive’s sync status:

Get-Process -Name “OneDrive” -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

• Dropbox conflict file scan:

Get-ChildItem -Recurse “C:\Users\*\Dropbox” -Include “*conflicted copy*” -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

1. Press Win, type cmd, then click Run as administrator.
2. Copy and paste the following scripts into the prompt, then press Enter:

• • Generate OneDrive diagnostic report:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /report

• • Check Google Drive’s error logs:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\DriveFS\logs

⚠️ Warning: Ensure you copy and paste the correct script. Incorrect syntax can cause errors. (For more info, refer to: Things to look out for)

Part 4: Set registry keys to prevent auto-start on shared machines

This method prevents sync clients from auto-starting on shared machines by modifying registry keys.

📌 Use Case: IT admins who want to block auto-start on shared devices

1. Press Win, type PowerShell, then click Run as administrator.
2. Copy and paste the following script into the prompt, then press Enter:

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry can have unintended consequences. Proceed with caution and back up the registry before making changes. (For more info, refer to: Things to look out for)

⚠️ Things to look out for

Best practices for shared environments

To minimize issues, admins and users should take note and apply the following practices when configuring sync tools:

Designate one sync platform per machine

Stick to one sync client per device to avoid overlapping file systems and syncing loops. If multiple platforms are required, assign them to other machines or use them separately.

Use per-machine installs for OneDrive

Run OneDriveSetup.exe /allusers to implement per-machine installs for OneDrive. Doing so ensures consistent update control and centralized patching and prevents version mismatches across accounts on shared devices.

Enable streaming mode for Google Drive

Streaming mode reduces local disk usage by downloading files when needed, avoiding unnecessary duplicate file downloads across sync clients.

Train users to sign out or shut down clients after use

Avoid leaving sync clients running in the background, as it can create session conflicts in shared setups. Encourage users to exit or sign out when finished to limit sync errors.

Avoid fast user switching with multiple sync sessions

Users simultaneously logged in may result in file locks, conflicts, or excessive resource use. It’s best to log out fully instead of fast-switching to prevent these issues.

Troubleshooting common issues

While reliable, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive are still prone to recurring issues, mainly when used on shared devices. Below are common problems and their recommended fixes.

Sync errors persist

Check whether the user has the necessary file permissions and verify that disk quota limits have not been exceeded. Also review whether antivirus or endpoint security tools block the sync client’s access to files.

Files stuck in “conflict” status

If files are stuck in “conflict” status, manually compare and merge changes, or implement an automated cleanup process that flags or archives copies to prevent clutter.

User-specific registry keys are not applied

Confirm login scripts run under the correct user context if startup registry entries aren’t applying. Running scripts as SYSTEM or another account may not apply the expected registry changes for the intended user.

Cloud clients re-enable on reboot

To counter sync apps automatically recreating startup entries, set up a Task Scheduler job or Group Policy script that detects and removes the entries at login. This ensures clients remain disabled.

NinjaOne services that help resolve and prevent sync issues

MSPs (Managed Service Providers) can gain centralized control over sync conflicts in diverse environments with NinjaOne. This helps reduce manual cleanup and improves user experience.

• Deploying login scripts that disable or manage sync apps on shared devices
• Detecting conflicted files or sync error logs using scheduled scans
• Alerting when multiple sync clients are running concurrently
• Tagging endpoints based on sync client status and shared usage
• Automating restart or logout tasks to prevent multi-user conflict conditions

Manage different cloud storage clients to prevent data loss

Managing cloud sync apps on shared devices requires proactive configuration and monitoring. Understanding application sync behavior lets you effectively prevent and manage cloud storage conflicts.

Related topics:

• Using Dropbox for Backup: What Businesses Need to Know
• How to Backup Google Workspace Drive
• How to Sync Folders to OneDrive in Windows 10 & 11
• What Is Cloud Storage? [Video]
• How to Enable or Disable OneDrive Notifications for Multi-Account Sync in Windows 11