The basic steps to sign in to OneDrive

OneDrive is built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, so you likely already have it installed. To sign in, open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar), and look for "OneDrive" in the left sidebar. Click it. If you see a sign-in screen, enter the Microsoft account email and password you use for Windows or Office. If you are already signed into Windows with a Microsoft account, OneDrive may already be active — you will see your cloud files appear in that folder.

If OneDrive does not appear in File Explorer, it may not be running. Look for the OneDrive icon in your system tray (the small icons on the far right of your taskbar, often hidden behind an up arrow). Click it and select "Sign in". Enter your Microsoft account credentials. OneDrive will then sync to your PC and appear in File Explorer.

If you do not have a Microsoft account, you will need to create one before you can use OneDrive. Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Create one". You can use any email address — it does not have to be an Outlook or Hotmail address.

Key Takeaways

  • OneDrive is already installed on Windows 10 and 11, and you sign in using your Microsoft account email and password.
  • If you are already signed into Windows with a Microsoft account, OneDrive may already be active and ready to use.
  • If OneDrive is not visible, check the system tray (bottom right of your screen) for the OneDrive icon and click it to sign in.
  • You can create a free Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com if you do not already have one.

Where to find OneDrive after you sign in

Once you are signed in, OneDrive appears as a folder in File Explorer, just like any other folder on your PC. You can drag files into it, and they will upload to the cloud automatically. The files stay on your PC as well, unless you choose to make them "cloud-only" to save space.

You can also access OneDrive from the web. Go to onedrive.live.com, sign in with the same Microsoft account, and you will see all your files in a browser window. This is useful if you are on a different computer or want to share a file with someone without downloading it first.

What to do if you cannot sign in

If you enter your password and see an error message, the most common cause is that you are using the wrong password or the wrong email address. Double-check both. If you are certain they are correct, your account may have been locked for security reasons. Go to account.microsoft.com, select "Security", and follow the steps to unlock it or reset your password.

If you see a message that says "We could not connect to the service", your internet connection may be down, or Microsoft's servers may be temporarily unavailable. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem persists, restart your PC.

If OneDrive is installed but will not start at all, open Settings (press Windows key + I), go to "Apps" and then "Apps and features", search for "OneDrive", and select "Repair". This fixes most startup problems without removing your files.

Signing in on a work or school account

If your employer or school provided you with a Microsoft account, the sign-in process is the same, but your files are stored separately from personal OneDrive accounts. Your organization controls how much storage you have and what you can do with it. Some organizations require you to sign in through a special portal first before OneDrive will work.

If you have both a personal Microsoft account and a work account, you can sign into OneDrive with either one, but only one at a time on your PC. To switch accounts, click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, select your account name at the top, and choose "Switch account".

Controlling what syncs to your PC

By default, OneDrive syncs all your files to your PC. If you have limited storage space or want to keep some files only in the cloud, you can choose which folders sync. Click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, select your account name, go to "Settings", and then "Account". Under "Choose folders", uncheck any folders you do not want on your PC. Those files will still be in your OneDrive on the web, but they will not take up space on your computer.

You can also make individual files "cloud-only" by right-clicking them in File Explorer, selecting "Free up space", and choosing "Free up space now". The file will be removed from your PC but will still appear in File Explorer with a small cloud icon. When you open it, it will read automatically.

Understanding OneDrive storage limits

A free Microsoft account comes with 5 GB of OneDrive storage. If you need more, you can buy additional storage through a Microsoft 365 subscription, which gives you 1 TB (1,000 GB) of storage along with access to Office programs like Word and Excel. You can also buy storage alone without the Office apps.

You can check how much storage you are using by going to onedrive.live.com, clicking the settings gear icon, and selecting "Storage". If you are running out of space, you can delete files you no longer need, or buy more storage through the same menu.

Signing out of OneDrive

To sign out, click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, select your account name at the top, and choose "Sign out". Your files will remain on your PC, but they will no longer sync to the cloud. If you sign back in later with the same account, syncing will resume.

If you are selling your PC or giving it to someone else, sign out of OneDrive and then remove your Microsoft account from Windows entirely. Go to Settings, select "Accounts", choose "Your info", and then "Remove". This prevents the new user from accessing your files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Microsoft account to use OneDrive?

Yes. OneDrive requires a Microsoft account to sign in and store files. You can create a free account at account.microsoft.com using any email address. If you already use Windows, Outlook, Hotmail, or Xbox, you may already have one.

Will my files be deleted if I sign out of OneDrive?

No. Signing out stops syncing but does not delete files on your PC or in the cloud. Your files remain in OneDrive on the web and can be accessed by signing back in. Files on your PC stay where they are.

Can I use OneDrive on multiple PCs with the same account?

Yes. You can sign into OneDrive on as many PCs as you want using the same Microsoft account. Each PC will sync the same files, so changes you make on one computer appear on the others automatically.

What if I forget my Microsoft account password?

Go to account.microsoft.com and select "Can't access your account". Follow the steps to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Microsoft will send you a link to reset your password. Once you reset it, you can sign into OneDrive with the new password.

Is OneDrive find?

OneDrive encrypts your files in transit and at rest, meaning they are scrambled both when traveling to Microsoft's servers and while stored there. However, anyone with your Microsoft account password can access your files. Use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication (a security code sent to your phone) for added protection.