OneDrive
Installing and Setting Up OneDrive Sync
This guide shows you how to install and configure the OneDrive sync app on your Windows PC or Mac, so your work files are always backed up to the cloud automatically.
Time needed
15 minutes
Platform
Microsoft 365
Guide steps
3 clear sections
Before you begin
Your work Microsoft 365 account email and password. OneDrive is pre-installed on Windows 10/11 — you may just need to sign in. On Mac, download it from the App Store.
Follow along
Step-by-step guide
Start OneDrive sync on Windows
- Instruction 1: Click the Start button and search for OneDrive. Click the OneDrive app to open it.
- Instruction 2: If OneDrive is not installed, download it from aka.ms/OneDriveSetup and run the installer.
- Instruction 3: When the setup wizard opens, enter your work email address and click Sign In.
- Instruction 4: Enter your password and approve any MFA request.
- Instruction 5: A OneDrive folder location is shown — click Next to accept the default location, or click Change Location to choose a different folder path.
- Instruction 6: Click Next through the remaining setup screens. OneDrive will now start syncing your files.
Action map
Start OneDrive sync on Windows
- 01
Click the Start button and search for OneDrive. Click the OneDrive app to open it.
- 02
If OneDrive is not installed, download it from aka.ms/OneDriveSetup and run the installer.
- 03
When the setup wizard opens, enter your work email address and click Sign In.
Visual guide
Use this visual action map alongside the written instructions above.
Open OneDrive help & learning for Installing and Setting Up OneDrive SyncStart OneDrive sync on Mac
- Instruction 1: Open the App Store and search for Microsoft OneDrive. Click Get to install it.
- Instruction 2: Open OneDrive from Applications and click Sign In.
- Instruction 3: Enter your work email address and password, then approve the MFA request.
- Instruction 4: Choose a folder location for your OneDrive files (the default is your home directory) and click Next.
- Instruction 5: OneDrive will appear in Finder's left-hand sidebar and will start syncing.
Enable Desktop and Documents backup
- Instruction 1: On Windows: right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom-right), click Settings (or the gear icon), then click Sync and backup > Manage backup.
- Instruction 2: Turn on backup for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures to ensure files saved in these common locations are also backed up to OneDrive.
- Instruction 3: Click Start backup. Existing files will upload to OneDrive — this may take a while if there are many large files.
- Instruction 4: On Mac: open OneDrive preferences (click the cloud icon in the menu bar > gear icon > Preferences), then click Backup and choose the folders to back up.
Quick fixes
Troubleshooting
OneDrive is stuck on 'Starting sync' or 'Processing changes'
Try pausing sync and resuming it: right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac), click Pause syncing, wait 30 seconds, then click Resume syncing. If this does not help, see the 'Fixing Common OneDrive Sync Errors' guide.
I cannot sign in — it says my account is not allowed
Your organisation may restrict OneDrive sign-ins to managed devices. Contact the helpdesk to confirm whether your device is enrolled in Intune or meets the requirements to use OneDrive.
Still need a hand?
Our support team can help with Microsoft 365.
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