SharePoint: 'Sync' vs 'Add shortcut to OneDrive'

[MYK-IT]

As more schools migrate local (shared) resources to SharePoint libraries, I note that some have centrally managed the automatic synching of (certain) SharePoint libraries (using GPO - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/use-group-policy#configure-team-site-libraries-to-sync-automatically) but I always wondered how this differed from 'Add shortcut to OneDrive" functionality?

 

Well, I've come across the following article (https://intrazone.libsyn.com/add-to-onedrive) that explains all! With Microsoft essentially stating the 'Add shortcut to OneDrive' is the way to go (e.g. the future) as it makes resources available on any device with OneDrive available; whereas 'Sync' downloads to that specific device.

 

The 'Sync' option can be disabled centrally for the entire tenancy etc. (if not currently in use / needed).

 

I've not ascertained if there is an equivalent of automatically adding a shortcut (of specified SharePoint Libraries) to user's OneDrive yet - unless anyone knows or is using this method?

 

Thanks,

[mavhc]

My questions are:

1. Can I set a setting so a shared drive is added to everyone's onedrive?

2. Where will it appear? Should we have Onedrive>Personal and Onedrive>SharedDrive1 etc?

3. How do you make sure people know which virtual folders are shared and which are not?