How to Sync OneDrive files and folders in Windows

Syncing files from your local storage to OneDrive helps in taking a backup of the data to protect it from corruption or data loss. It allows users to access files from anywhere and on any device. If you’re interested in knowing how to sync files and folders to a OneDrive account, this article will give you the scoop on how to do it. You may want to sync data for the following reasons:

• Share files with other users easily
• Access files from anywhere and over any device
• Keep a backup of data from your local computer

OneDrive (Personal) account is added differently for different Windows Operating Systems.

1. For Windows 8.1/RT 8.1/10/11, there is a built-in OneDrive application that you can view on your system’s File Explorer.
2. For Windows 7 or older versions
   • First, you need to download the desktop app for OneDrive.
   • Click on the downloaded exe and install it on your system.
   • Once it is installed, it will ask you to enter the account email address. Sign-in using your Microsoft account credentials and click Next.
   • Follow the steps as per the instructions, and your OneDrive is now visible on the file explorer.
   • You can drag-drop or copy-paste files from local computer to the OneDrive folder. This will sync the data to the OneDrive account.

We will are going to explain here how to synchronize OneDrive to your personal account in a Windows PC with complete steps. For Windows 8.1/RT 8.1

1. On your PC, click on the Start option and then search for OneDrive. Click on the OneDrive icon.
2. Note: Here, we are showing you the process for OneDrive (Personal).
3. It will ask you to sign through a Microsoft account. For that, click on Go to the PC Settings option.
4. Click on the Connect to a Microsoft account option.
5. Choose the PC settings for synchronization of Microsoft account to the domain account and click Next.
6. Add your Microsoft account login credentials and click on Next.
7. It may ask to enter the recovery email ID for your account confirmation via code generation. Please add the complete recovery email address and click Next.
8. A code will be sent to your email ID entered. Get that code, copy it, and paste it here. Then click Next.
9. Read the information and click Next to continue.
10. Click Connect to connect to your Microsoft account.
11. The connection process will get started, and soon you can see your added Microsoft account in Accounts in PC Settings.
12. Finally, move to the File Explorer of your system and click on the OneDrive icon. Now you can access all the data and content stored on the OneDrive Personal on your file system.

For Windows 10/11

1. On your PC, click the Start option and open OneDrive.
2. Note: Here, we are showing you the process for OneDrive (Personal).
3. It will open the welcome screen asking you to sign in with your Microsoft account or create a new one.
4. It will show you the location of the OneDrive folder in your system. Click Next to continue.
5. If you’re connecting using the same OneDrive account as earlier select ‘Use this folder’ else ‘Choose new folder’.
6. Select the folders you want to take backup of in OneDrive or proceed with ‘I’ll do it later.’
7. Upgrade your Microsoft 365 Personal plan by selecting ‘Upgrade’ button. If you want to continue with the existing plan, select ‘Not Now.’
8. Select Next to add items into the OneDrive folder.
9. Click Next to share files and folders and allow others to view and edit your files.
10. Click Next and now you can browse all your files and folders in Windows on OneDrive.
11. Select ‘Get the mobile app’ to make your files accessible on the go.
12. Your data is now in sync with OneDrive. Click ‘Open my OneDrive folder’ to open and view the synced data.
13. The folders on the right shows data stored on the OneDrive.

Hence, it is pretty easy to connect Microsoft OneDrive to your PC if you try the above method.

Simplest method to sync OneDrive and Windows folders

There is another solution that helps to sync data between OneDrive and Windows folders. Kernel Migration for SharePoint is an efficient tool that makes data syncing possible with complete accuracy. Here are the advantages it offers:

• Take easy backup and sync folder data to OneDrive.
• Simple and user-friendly interface.
• Works with all Windows versions including 365 /11/ 10/ 8 /7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2022/ 2019/ 2016/ 2012 R2/ 2012/ 2008 R2/ 2008/ 2003
• Helps migrate File Server to SharePoint, MS Teams to SharePoint, and OneDrive backup and migration.

Steps to sync folder data to OneDrive

• Go to “File System” in the dropdown menu of Add New Source.
• When clicking File System, the following wizard will open. Fill in the details to connect to the Windows File System.
• After entering the details, click on validate the connection.
• Right-click OneDrive for Business in the left pane and select Add OneDrive for Business.
• Now, enter the details asked in the wizard, such as Project Name, choose authentication mode, and then click OK to connect.
• Select Automatically adding to add users on the new window or provide a path to the CSV file for manual addition. It will establish a connection with the server.
• Now select files from your local computer you want to sync to OneDrive, right-click, Copy To, and choose OneDrive for Business.
• The Enter Source window will display all the selected files and folders. Click Next.
• Select the destination and migration type.
• The next step is mapping user to select the accounts where the items will be migrated. Then click Next.
• If you’re migrating the files/folders from the Remote File System, specify the login credentials of the authorized user.
• You can select Execute Immediate or Schedule the migration for later.
• Check the complete details of the data migration under the Summary window.
• The next screen will show the progress of the migration process.

Once the process is complete, you’ll see the Completion summary. With this, the data from the local computer is synced with the OneDrive account.

Conclusion

OneDrive makes managing and syncing documents accessible, keeping them intact online and offline. Doing manual data transfer to OneDrive can be tricky and might cause data loss or missing. However, using the Kernel Migration for SharePoint tool helps streamline the process with utmost efficiency. It also helps migrate data from Google Drive to SharePoint or OneDrive to SharePoint.