How to sync files and folders to OneDrive

By Zak Islam April 4, 2022

Microsoft's OneDrive is an excellent cloud backup service that lets you synchronize your folders and files from your PC so it's all automatically backed up and readily available. You'll need to set it up to make the most of it, though. This guide will show you how to sync files and folders to OneDrive.

Contents

Syncing files and folders using the OneDrive field via File Explorer
Syncing specific files and folders
Syncing all files and folders
Why is my Microsoft OneDrive not syncing?

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

A Windows PC with Microsoft OneDrive (Windows 10/11)

Syncing files and folders using the OneDrive field via File Explorer

After you’ve signed in to your OneDrive account, your File Explorer will now showcase OneDrive — personal on the side alongside your other shortcuts, such as This PC. You will now be able to sync files and folders to that OneDrive account.

Step 1: Next, you'll copy and paste. For demonstration purposes, I will be syncing a file and a folder in my desktop to my OneDrive account.

If I drag and drop it in, it will remove the file or folder’s presence on my desktop. Simply copy and paste it in instead to avoid this scenario so you can have them available on both your desktop/hard drive and your Microsoft OneDrive account.

Copy and pasting a file and folder into the Microsoft OneDrive folder. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Within File Explorer, click OneDrive — personal. It should show the file and folder we added to it from step 1.

The OneDrive folder option in File Explorer in Windows 10. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Syncing specific files and folders

Now that we’ve added some files and folders to the OneDrive account, you can use the service’s settings to make sure everything is synchronized properly.

Step 1: Click Microsoft OneDrive in the taskbar. Click the Help & settings icon and then choose the Settings field.

The Settings field for Microsoft OneDrive in Windows 10. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Click the Account tab and then select the Choose folders button.

The Choose folders button for Microsoft OneDrive in Windows 10. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Click the files and folders you want synced to OneDrive. The folder and file I added to my OneDrive account from the previous section is shown as Work projects and Files not in a folder. Click OK.

Selecting folders and files to sync to OneDrive in Windows 10. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Syncing all files and folders

Step 1: Click the Choose folders button within OneDrive’s Settings.

Step 2: Now select the Make all files available button. This will synchronize everything within your OneDrive folder to your Microsoft OneDrive account.

The Make all files available for sync button in Microsoft OneDrive in Windows 10. — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why is my Microsoft OneDrive not syncing?

You need to be connected to the internet for Microsoft OneDrive to work. As it's a cloud service, it will need constant access to your Wi-Fi or hotspot to operate. One of the reasons OneDrive is not syncing properly could be because you've just started up your system. Wait until it finishes the signing-in process.

Hover over the Microsoft OneDrive icon to see its status (Signing in and Online). For older systems, it may take a while for OneDrive to connect to your Wi-Fi and sign in.

For more on OneDrive, check out our detailed breakdown of the cloud service and what it offers. If you're looking for information on the various ways to store files on OneDrive (such as using the platform's website interface instead of the Windows 10 application), then head over to our guide on that as well.

Alternatively, if you've yet to choose a cloud storage service, our best cloud storage services guide can help you pick one.