OneDrive for Business: How to Automatically Sync Your Files with OneDrive


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With OneDrive for Business, you can sync files between your computer and the cloud, so that you can access your files from anywhere.

Click the button below to view specific instructions for syncing files to OneDrive, based on your computer's operating system:

Syncing Files to OneDrive on Windows Syncing Files to OneDrive on a Mac

Syncing Files to OneDrive on Windows


Before proceeding, the OneDrive app should be installed on your device. Instructions can be found on Microsoft's Support Site for Syncing Files with OneDrive in Windows.

Method 1 - If you have no accounts signed in to OneDrive:

1. If you do not have an account signed in to OneDrive, click the Start button (the Windows logo at the bottom left of your screen).

2. Type "OneDrive" in the search bar and click on the OneDrive app when it appears.

3. When OneDrive opens, you will see a sign-in screen. Enter your work or school email address and click Sign in.

Method 2 - If you already have a personal account signed in to OneDrive:

1. Open OneDrive settings (select the OneDrive cloud icon in your notification area, select OneDrive Help and Settings (gear icon), and select Settings

2. Go to the Account tab.

3. Select Add an account.

Key Points in OneDrive Setup (there are two screens in OneDrive setup that are helpful to watch for):

1. 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.

2. On the All your files, ready and on-demand screen, you will see how files are marked to show them as online-only, locally available, or always available. Files On-Demand helps you access all of your files in OneDrive without having to download all of them and use storage space on your Windows device. Select Next.

3. Note: If you were already syncing OneDrive for work or school to your computer (using the previous sync app) and you have just installed the sync app, you will not see the This is your OneDrive folder or the Sync files from your OneDrive screen during OneDrive setup. The sync app automatically takes over syncing in the same folder location you were using before. To choose which folders you are syncing, right-click the blue cloud icon in the taskbar notification area, and select Settings > Account > Choose folders.

See and manage your OneDrive files:

1. You are now set up, and 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 and school files appear under OneDrive - Auburn University.

2. 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 - Auburn University when you hover over the icon.

3. 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.

Adding Files:

To add files to OneDrive, just drag and drop them into your OneDrive folder.

Accessing Files:

You can access your synced files from any device by signing into OneDrive with your work or school account.

Syncing Files to OneDrive on Mac


Before proceeding, the OneDrive app should be installed on your device. Instructions can be found on Microsoft's Support Site for Syncing Files with OneDrive on Mac OS.

Method 1 - If you have no accounts signed in to OneDrive:

1. If you do not have an account signed in to OneDrive, start OneDrive by pressing cmd+Space to launch a Spotlight query and type OneDrive. This starts OneDrive setup.

2. Enter your work or school account, and select Sign in to set up your account.

Method 2 - If you already have a personal account signed in to OneDrive:

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon up in your Menu bar, click the three dots to open the menu, and select Preferences.

2. Click the Account tab, and then select Add an Account to start OneDrive setup.

3. Enter your work or school account, and click Sign in.

Key Points in OneDrive Setup:

1. When setting up your OneDrive, it has a default location set. However, you can change this during setup. On the This is your OneDrive folder screen, click Change Location.

2. Select a location where you would like to save your OneDrive files, and click Choose this location.

3. When you see the This is your OneDrive folder screen, you will now see a path to the folder you selected. Click Next to continue.

4. On the Sync Files from Your OneDrive screen, you can choose the folders you want to sync to your computer, and click Next. This conserves space on your computer, and reduces bandwidth needed for the sync processes.

5. You are finished with the sync setup process. Click Open my OneDrive folder to see your files sync to your folder. You can find OneDrive up in your Menu bar (cloud icon). You will have one cloud if you are only syncing a work or school account, one cloud if you are syncing only a personal account, or two clouds if you are syncing both.

Adding Files:

To add files to OneDrive, just drag and drop them into your OneDrive folder.

Accessing Files:

You can access your synced files from any device by signing into OneDrive with your work or school account.

Additional Resources


Microsoft OneDrive Quick Video: Syncing OneDrive Files and Folders

How to Access and Utilize Microsoft 365 Web Applications