The disadvantage is that you need to be online to access a file. The advantage of Files-On-Demand is that you save space on your hard drive. When you double-click a file to access it, the file is downloaded on the fly from OneDrive to your computer. The links to your online files still appear in File Explorer. With this setting turned on, your OneDrive files are stored online instead of on your computer. Click the Settings tab and look at the setting for Files-On-Demand, which should be enabled by default. You can choose to store your synced files locally or opt to download them only when they’re needed. Unchecked folders will remain on OneDrive but will be removed from your current PC. Otherwise, check the individual folders you wish to sync and uncheck any folders you don't want synced. If you wish to sync everything stored in your OneDrive folder, click the checkbox for Make all files available. Here you'll see the files and folders that you moved into your OneDrive folder. Click the Account tab and then select Choose folders. Right-click the System Tray icon for OneDrive and select Settings. Next, you’ll need to choose the folders and files you wish to sync. You can also create any new folders that you want to sync in OneDrive. For example, if you use a folder called Word Documents for your Microsoft Word files, move that entire folder into OneDrive (so that typically would be C:\Users\\OneDrive\Word Documents).įollow the same steps for any other folders you wish to include as part of your OneDrive synchronization. From File Explorer, move any folders and files you wish to synchronize into your OneDrive location. Your next task is to select the folders and files you wish to add and sync to your OneDrive storage.
Review the tutorial screens that explain how to set up OneDrive, then click the Open my OneDrive folder. You can change the location or accept the default and click Next.
Enter your password and click Sign in.Ĭonfirm the location that Microsoft has set for your OneDrive folder. Choose your type of OneDrive account (Personal, Work, or School). At the Set up OneDrive screen, enter the email address for your Microsoft Account and click Sign in. Click the Settings tab and make sure the box to Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows is checked.Īt the Settings screen, click the Account tab and select the Add an account button. Right-click that icon and select Settings.
In that folder, double-click the OneDrive.exe file, and the icon will appear in the System Tray. Then, drill down to the following location: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\. Make sure that hidden items are enabled (click the View menu and check the box for Hidden items). If the icon does not appear, you'll need to trigger it manually from the OneDrive exe file. If you missed that opportunity, you should still see an icon for OneDrive in the System Tray.
In fact, when you go through the Windows 10 setup, you're asked if you want to use OneDrive. OneDrive is automatically available and ready to use in Windows 10. A subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal ($6.99 a month or $69.99 a year) grants you a hefty 1TB of OneDrive space, while Microsoft 365 Family ($9.99/month or $99.99/year) doles out 1TB each for up to six users. For $1.99 a month, you can score 100GB of real estate. A basic free plan offers you 5GB of OneDrive space.
You will also need the right type of storage plan for your needs. To use OneDrive, you need a Microsoft Account, which you can set up through the Microsoft account website.