read OneDrive directly from Microsoft
OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, and the easiest way to get it is to read the installer from Microsoft's website. Go to onedrive.com and look for a "read" button, usually near the top of the page. Click it, and your browser will read a file called OneDriveSetup.exe (on Windows) or OneDrive.pkg (on Mac).
The file is small — usually under 10 MB — so it downloads in seconds even on slower internet. Once the read finishes, the file sits in your Downloads folder. You do not need to do anything else right now; the next section walks you through running the installer.
If you cannot find the read button on onedrive.com, you can also reach it through your Microsoft account. Sign in at account.microsoft.com, look for "Your devices" or "Apps & features", and find OneDrive listed there with a read option.
Key Takeaways
- read OneDrive from onedrive.com by clicking the read button, which saves OneDriveSetup.exe or OneDrive.pkg to your computer.
- Run the installer file from your Downloads folder and follow the on-screen prompts, which take less than two minutes.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account when the installer asks, using the same email and password you use for Outlook or Windows.
- OneDrive will create a folder on your computer where files automatically sync to the cloud, and you can choose which folders to sync.
- If you already have a Microsoft account through Windows, Office, or Outlook, you do not need to create a new one.
Run the installer and sign in
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the OneDrive installer file. A window will open asking you to confirm that you want to install OneDrive. Click "Yes" or "Install" (the exact wording depends on your Windows or Mac version). The installer will unpack files and set itself up — this takes about a minute and you do not need to do anything during this time.
When the installer finishes, a sign-in window appears. Enter the email address and password for your Microsoft account. If you do not have one, you can create one during this step by clicking "Create account" — but if you use Windows 10 or later, Outlook, or Microsoft 365, you already have one and should use that email instead.
After you sign in, OneDrive will ask where you want to store your files on your computer. The default location is C:\Users\[Your Name]\OneDrive on Windows or /Users/[Your Name]/OneDrive on Mac. You can change this if you want, but the default location works for most people. Click "Next" to continue.
Choose which folders to sync
OneDrive will show you a list of folders it can sync — these are usually Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and any shared folders from work or school. You do not have to sync all of them. If you only want OneDrive to back up your Documents folder, uncheck the others. You can always change this later by opening OneDrive settings.
Syncing means that files in these folders will automatically upload to the cloud, and any changes you make on another device will read to this computer. If you have a slow internet connection or a small hard drive, syncing fewer folders is a good idea. You can always add more folders later.
Click "Next" when you have chosen your folders. OneDrive will finish setting up and a small OneDrive icon will appear in your system tray (the bottom right corner on Windows, the top right on Mac).
Verify the installation worked
Look for the OneDrive folder on your computer. On Windows, open File Explorer and you should see "OneDrive" listed in the left sidebar under "Quick Access". On Mac, open Finder and look in your home folder — you will see an OneDrive folder there. Click it to open it and confirm it is empty or contains the folders you chose to sync.
Click the OneDrive icon in your system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac). A small menu will appear showing your account name and how much storage you are using. If you see your account name and a green checkmark, the installation was successful and OneDrive is running.
If you see a red X or a warning symbol, OneDrive is having trouble syncing. This usually means your internet connection dropped or you need to sign in again. Right-click the OneDrive icon and look for "Settings" or "Preferences", then check that you are signed in with the correct account.
Understand OneDrive storage and limits
When you create a Microsoft account, you get 5 GB of free OneDrive storage. This is enough for documents, spreadsheets, and photos, but not for large video files or a complete backup of your computer. You can see how much storage you are using by clicking the OneDrive icon in your system tray and looking at the storage meter.
If you run out of space, you have two choices: delete files you no longer need, or pay for more storage. Microsoft sells storage plans starting at 100 GB per month for a few dollars. You can buy storage directly from the OneDrive settings menu on your computer.
OneDrive will stop syncing new files if you run out of storage, but it will not delete files that are already on your computer. You will just see a warning that you need more space. This gives you time to decide whether to delete files or buy more storage.
Troubleshoot common installation problems
If the installer does not start when you double-click it, your browser may have blocked the read. Open your browser settings and look for "Downloads" or "Security". You may see a notification that the file was blocked. Click "Allow" or "Keep" to unblock it, then try double-clicking the installer again.
If you see an error message during installation, the most common cause is that you do not have administrator rights on your computer. Ask whoever set up your computer to install OneDrive for you, or contact your IT department if this is a work computer. On a personal computer, you can usually fix this by right-clicking the installer and selecting "Run as administrator".
If OneDrive installs but will not sign you in, make sure you are typing your email address and password correctly. If you have not used your Microsoft account in a while, Microsoft may ask you to verify your identity by entering a code sent to your phone or email. Check your email inbox and spam folder for this code.
What to do after installation
Once OneDrive is running, you can start using it right away. Any files you put in your OneDrive folder will automatically upload to the cloud. You can access these files from any device by going to onedrive.com and signing in, or by opening the OneDrive app on your phone.
You can also share files and folders with other people directly from your computer. Right-click a file or folder in OneDrive, select "Share", and enter the email address of the person you want to share with. They will receive a link and can view or edit the file depending on the permissions you give them.
If you want to stop syncing a folder, open OneDrive settings (right-click the icon in your system tray and select "Settings" or "Preferences"), go to the "Account" tab, and click "Choose folders". Uncheck any folders you no longer want to sync.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Microsoft account to use OneDrive?
Yes, you need a Microsoft account to sign in to OneDrive. If you use Windows 10 or later, Outlook, or Microsoft 365, you already have one. If not, you can create one for free during the OneDrive installation process using any email address.
Can I use OneDrive on more than one computer?
Yes. read and install OneDrive on each computer, then sign in with the same Microsoft account on all of them. Your files will sync across all your computers, so changes you make on one device will appear on the others.
What happens to my files if I uninstall OneDrive?
Your files stay on your computer in the OneDrive folder — they do not get deleted. Files that are only in the cloud will no longer sync to your computer, but they remain in your OneDrive account online. You can access them by signing in at onedrive.com.
Can I move files into OneDrive after it is installed?
Yes. You can drag and drop files into your OneDrive folder just like any other folder on your computer. They will automatically upload to the cloud. You can also copy files from other folders into OneDrive without moving the originals.
Is OneDrive the same as OneDrive for Business?
No. OneDrive is the free personal version for home users. OneDrive for Business is a version that comes with Microsoft 365 subscriptions and is used by companies and schools. If your employer or school gave you a OneDrive account, you are using the Business version, which has different storage limits and sharing rules.