OneDrive appears in File Explorer once you sign in with your Microsoft account
When you sign into OneDrive on your Windows computer, it automatically integrates into File Explorer — the folder program you use to browse files on your machine. You do not need to install a separate app or change any settings. The integration happens during the sign-in process, and OneDrive then shows up as a folder you can access the same way you access your Documents or Desktop.
This guide walks you through the sign-in steps and explains what to expect once OneDrive appears in your File Explorer sidebar. It also covers what to do if OneDrive does not show up, and how to control which folders sync to your computer.
Key Takeaways
- OneDrive integrates into File Explorer automatically when you sign in with a Microsoft account on your Windows computer.
- You can find the OneDrive sign-in option in Settings under Accounts, or by searching for "OneDrive" in the Windows search bar.
- Once signed in, OneDrive appears in the left sidebar of File Explorer and syncs files to a folder on your computer.
- If OneDrive does not appear after sign-in, restarting your computer or checking your account settings usually fixes the problem.
- You can choose which OneDrive folders sync to your computer, which saves space if you have limited storage.
Sign in to OneDrive through Windows Settings
The most direct way to add OneDrive to File Explorer is through the Accounts section of Windows Settings. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the Settings app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Access work or school (if you use a work account) or Email & accounts (if you use a personal Microsoft account).
Click Add account and choose Microsoft account. Enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account — this is the same account you use for Outlook, Xbox, or other Microsoft services. Windows will verify your identity, and once sign-in is complete, OneDrive will begin syncing in the background.
The entire process takes two to three minutes. You do not need to restart your computer, though restarting can speed up the appearance of OneDrive in File Explorer.
Find OneDrive in File Explorer after sign-in
Once you are signed in, open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key and E together, or by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar. Look at the left sidebar — you should see OneDrive listed under "Quick access" or as its own section. Click it to open your OneDrive folder.
The OneDrive folder on your computer is usually located at C:\Users\[Your Username]\OneDrive. Any files you place in this folder automatically sync to your Microsoft account in the cloud. Files also sync the other direction — if you add a file to OneDrive through a web browser or another device, it appears in this folder within a few minutes.
A small cloud icon appears next to files and folders to show their sync status. A green checkmark means the file is fully synced. A blue circle with an arrow means the file is currently syncing. A cloud with a line through it means the file is online-only and not taking up space on your computer.
Control which folders sync to your computer
By default, OneDrive syncs all your files to your computer. If you have limited storage space, you can choose to sync only certain folders. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your screen) and select Settings. Go to the Sync and backup tab.
Click Manage backup or Sync settings depending on your OneDrive version. You will see a list of your OneDrive folders. Uncheck any folder you do not want to sync to your computer. Those folders remain in your OneDrive account online, but they will not read to your machine or take up local storage.
This is useful if you have a large OneDrive library but only need a few folders on your laptop. You can change these settings at any time — unchecking a folder does not delete it from OneDrive, it only stops it from syncing locally.
What to do if OneDrive does not appear in File Explorer
If you signed in but OneDrive does not show up in File Explorer, the most common fix is to restart your computer. OneDrive sometimes takes a minute to integrate after sign-in, and a restart ensures all background processes are running correctly.
If restarting does not work, check that you actually signed in. Open Settings, go to Accounts, and verify that your Microsoft account appears under "Email & accounts" or "Access work or school." If it does not, repeat the sign-in steps above.
Another possibility is that OneDrive is running but hidden in File Explorer. Click View in the File Explorer menu bar, then Options. Go to the View tab and make sure Show hidden files, folders, and drives is checked. Click explore and OK. OneDrive should now be visible.
The difference between syncing and online-only files
OneDrive offers two ways to store files: synced and online-only. A synced file exists both on your computer and in the cloud. If you edit it offline, the changes sync back to the cloud once you reconnect to the internet. An online-only file exists only in your OneDrive account and does not take up space on your computer — you can open it, but it must read first.
You can switch a file between these modes by right-clicking it in File Explorer, selecting Always keep on this device to sync it, or Free up space to make it online-only. This is helpful if you have a large file you rarely use — making it online-only frees up gigabytes of local storage.
If your internet goes down, you can still open synced files because they are already on your computer. Online-only files will not open until your connection returns.
Troubleshooting sync problems
Sometimes files appear in OneDrive on your phone or web browser but do not show up in File Explorer on your computer. This usually means syncing is paused or stuck. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray and look for a Pause syncing option — if it says "Resume syncing" instead, click that to restart the sync process.
If files still do not appear after resuming, check your internet connection. OneDrive cannot sync without a stable connection. You can also check the sync status by right-clicking the OneDrive icon and selecting View sync problems — this shows any files that failed to sync and why.
If a specific file repeatedly fails to sync, the filename might contain characters that Windows does not allow, such as asterisks or question marks. Rename the file to use only letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens, and the sync should complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Microsoft account to use OneDrive in File Explorer?
Yes. OneDrive is a Microsoft service and requires a Microsoft account to sign in. This can be a personal Outlook.com account, a Gmail address linked to a Microsoft account, or a work account provided by your employer. You cannot use OneDrive without signing in with one of these account types.
Will OneDrive sync files when my computer is off?
No. OneDrive syncs only when your computer is on and connected to the internet. If you add files to OneDrive through your phone or web browser while your computer is off, they will sync to your computer the next time it turns on and connects to the internet.
Can I have OneDrive on multiple computers?
Yes. You can sign into the same Microsoft account on multiple computers, and OneDrive will sync across all of them. Changes you make on one computer appear on the others within a few minutes. However, if you edit the same file on two computers at the same time without internet, OneDrive creates a copy of one version to prevent data loss.
What happens if I uninstall OneDrive?
Uninstalling OneDrive does not delete your files. Your files remain in your OneDrive account online and are accessible through the web browser at OneDrive.com. If you reinstall OneDrive and sign in again, your files will sync back to your computer. However, any files you created or edited while OneDrive was uninstalled will not be in your OneDrive account unless you manually uploaded them.
How much storage does OneDrive give me for free?
A free Microsoft account includes 5 gigabytes of OneDrive storage. This is enough for thousands of documents and photos, but not for large video files or extensive photo libraries. If you need more space, Microsoft offers paid plans starting at 100 gigabytes per month, or 1 terabyte as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription.