How to Use OneDrive in Windows
Download OneDrive for Windows., Install the program., Sign in., Continue with the installation., View the OneDrive folder., Add files., Delete files., Go to the OneDrive website. , Sign In., Define the file location., Upload files., Use a wired...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Download OneDrive for Windows.
Go to the OneDrive download page and download the program for Windows, depending on what Windows OS you’re running.
It is available for Windows Vista, 7, or
8.
If you have Windows
8.1, it’s already built-in. -
Step 2: Install the program.
Double-click on the setup file and let the program install.
The setup file has a blue cloud icon with the filename OneDriveSetup.exe. , Before installation begins, you will have to have a OneDrive account.
If you have a Microsoft account, it will work as-is.
Use your Microsoft account to sign in when prompted. , Once it's done, you will see the OneDrive icon in the system tray on the right side of your taskbar.
It will begin downloading and syncing your OneDrive files to your computer. , During installation, you defined the default location for the OneDrive folder.
If you still remember this, you can use your Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder to view your files.
If not, use the OneDrive icon on the notification area on the lower-right side of your taskbar.
Locate the icon and right-click on it to bring up a short menu.
Select “Open your OneDrive folder,” and your OneDrive folder will immediately launch.
From here, you can see all the files stored in your OneDrive account. , If you want to add files to your OneDrive account for storage, backup, and syncing, just use the normal Windows operations to add files into the OneDrive folder.
You can drag files into the folder or use the keyboard shortcuts to copy or move.
All the files you put into this folder will automatically be stored in your OneDrive account. , Similar to adding files, the normal Windows operations are used to delete files in your OneDrive folder.
You can click on a file and press “Delete” on your keyboard.
You can also click and drag the file to your Recycle Bin.
All the files you remove from this folder will also be removed from your OneDrive account. ,, Find the “Sign In” button and click on it.
Use your OneDrive account or Microsoft account to sign in. , Go to the folder level where you want to upload your files.
Click on the folders to get inside them.
You can also create a new folder by right-clicking on screen, choosing “Create” and then “Folder.” , Select the files you want to upload from your computer and drag them to OneDrive in your browser.
The files you’ve added will start uploading immediately.
Once it’s done, you can see and access the files right from your OneDrive account. , Connecting your computer directly to a modem or router will significantly boost your connectivity speed compared to a wireless connection.
Just get an Ethernet cable and use it to connect your computer’s LAN port to the back of your modem or router. , When you’re uploading or downloading to or from your OneDrive account, it is best to only have that activity running.
Stop all other types of uploading or downloading from your other apps or programs. , If you’re uploading or downloading particularly a large amount of data, you may want to do it during at night, when most people are asleep and fewer people are using bandwidth. , When uploading or downloading, stay in front of your computer to monitor its progress.
Sometimes your connection will drop and you will need to restart the transfer.
User intervention is needed during these times. -
Step 3: Sign in.
-
Step 4: Continue with the installation.
-
Step 5: View the OneDrive folder.
-
Step 6: Add files.
-
Step 7: Delete files.
-
Step 8: Go to the OneDrive website.
-
Step 9: Sign In.
-
Step 10: Define the file location.
-
Step 11: Upload files.
-
Step 12: Use a wired Internet connection.
-
Step 13: Reduce or close other applications that access the Internet.
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Step 14: Upload or download during off hours.
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Step 15: Monitor your progress.
Detailed Guide
Go to the OneDrive download page and download the program for Windows, depending on what Windows OS you’re running.
It is available for Windows Vista, 7, or
8.
If you have Windows
8.1, it’s already built-in.
Double-click on the setup file and let the program install.
The setup file has a blue cloud icon with the filename OneDriveSetup.exe. , Before installation begins, you will have to have a OneDrive account.
If you have a Microsoft account, it will work as-is.
Use your Microsoft account to sign in when prompted. , Once it's done, you will see the OneDrive icon in the system tray on the right side of your taskbar.
It will begin downloading and syncing your OneDrive files to your computer. , During installation, you defined the default location for the OneDrive folder.
If you still remember this, you can use your Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder to view your files.
If not, use the OneDrive icon on the notification area on the lower-right side of your taskbar.
Locate the icon and right-click on it to bring up a short menu.
Select “Open your OneDrive folder,” and your OneDrive folder will immediately launch.
From here, you can see all the files stored in your OneDrive account. , If you want to add files to your OneDrive account for storage, backup, and syncing, just use the normal Windows operations to add files into the OneDrive folder.
You can drag files into the folder or use the keyboard shortcuts to copy or move.
All the files you put into this folder will automatically be stored in your OneDrive account. , Similar to adding files, the normal Windows operations are used to delete files in your OneDrive folder.
You can click on a file and press “Delete” on your keyboard.
You can also click and drag the file to your Recycle Bin.
All the files you remove from this folder will also be removed from your OneDrive account. ,, Find the “Sign In” button and click on it.
Use your OneDrive account or Microsoft account to sign in. , Go to the folder level where you want to upload your files.
Click on the folders to get inside them.
You can also create a new folder by right-clicking on screen, choosing “Create” and then “Folder.” , Select the files you want to upload from your computer and drag them to OneDrive in your browser.
The files you’ve added will start uploading immediately.
Once it’s done, you can see and access the files right from your OneDrive account. , Connecting your computer directly to a modem or router will significantly boost your connectivity speed compared to a wireless connection.
Just get an Ethernet cable and use it to connect your computer’s LAN port to the back of your modem or router. , When you’re uploading or downloading to or from your OneDrive account, it is best to only have that activity running.
Stop all other types of uploading or downloading from your other apps or programs. , If you’re uploading or downloading particularly a large amount of data, you may want to do it during at night, when most people are asleep and fewer people are using bandwidth. , When uploading or downloading, stay in front of your computer to monitor its progress.
Sometimes your connection will drop and you will need to restart the transfer.
User intervention is needed during these times.
About the Author
Michelle Price
Experienced content creator specializing in home improvement guides and tutorials.
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