Using OneDrive but tired of having to log into Office 365 and use the browser interface?
Or maybe you’re worried you’ll be stuck somewhere without access to the interwebs?
Or do you prefer using Window’s File Explorer to organize and view your files?
Well those are all good reasons to give the OneDrive sync client a try.
Microsoft’s OneDrive Sync client installs on any PC and lets you view and manage files in Window’s File Explorer (that File folder thingee on your taskbar that you click on to see your files.)
The client uses a background sync engine that keeps everything you see on your computer in (wait for it…) sync with the OneDrive you see in your browser and OneDrive on your mobile devices.
What does all of this mean?
Well, if you created a folder in Windows File Explorer (in your OneDrive folder) and added a document it would then sync across all your devices. So when you go home and fire up your computer you can view the same document in your browser or pull it up on your phone. Bonus points if you install the sync client on your home computer as well.
Read below for directions on how to get going with it.
Sync files with the OneDrive sync client in Windows
Note: For more information about how to use OneDrive, see OneDrive video training.
Install and set up
- If you don’t have Windows 10 or Office 2016, install the Windows version of the new OneDrive sync client.
- Start OneDrive Setup.
If you have no accounts signed in to OneDrive
If you don’t currently have an account signed in to OneDrive, use these instructions to start OneDrive.
- Select the Start button, search for “OneDrive”, and then open it:
- In Windows 10, select the OneDrive desktop app.
- In Windows 7, under Programs, select Microsoft OneDrive.
- In Windows 8.1, search for OneDrive for Business, and then select the OneDrive for Business app.
- In Windows 10, select the OneDrive desktop app.
- When OneDrive Setup starts, enter your personal account, or your work or school account, and then select Sign in.
Key points in OneDrive Setup
There are two screens in OneDrive Setup that are helpful to watch for:
- On the This is your OneDrive folder screen, select Next to accept the default folder location for your OneDrive files. If you want to change the folder location, select Change location – this is the best time to make this change.
- On the Sync files from your OneDrive screen, choose the folders you want to sync, and select Next. This helps control the amount of space OneDrive files take on your computer and conserves bandwidth during sync processes. You can change this later in Settings, but this is a good opportunity as well.
Note: If you were already syncing OneDrive for Business to your computer (using the previous sync client) and you’ve just installed the OneDrive desktop app, you won’t see the This is your OneDrive folder or the Sync files from your OneDrive screen during OneDrive Setup. The OneDrive desktop app automatically takes over syncing in the same folder location you were using before. To choose which folders you’re syncing, right-click the blue cloud icon in the taskbar notification area, and select Settings > Account > Choose folders.
See and manage your OneDrive files
You’re all set. Your OneDrive files will appear in File Explorer in the OneDrive folder. If you use more than one account, your personal files appear under OneDrive – Personal and your work or school files appear under OneDrive – CompanyName.
You now have a new white or blue cloud icon (or both) in your notification area and your files are synced to your computer. Your blue cloud icon will appear as OneDrive – [YourTenantName] when you hover over the icon.
Any time you want to change the folders you sync on your computer, right-click that cloud icon in the taskbar notification area, and select Settings > Account > Choose folders. Find other information about your account and change other OneDrive settings from here.
[…] and folders back to your OneDrive with a click of “sync.” Here is more information on Syncing your OneDrive. Then to create shortcuts for your desktop open your File Explorer, navigate to eh OneDrive […]