Setting up OneDrive on your computer is a straightforward process. Here is how:

1. Open Start.
   
2. Search OneDrive and click the top result to open the app.
   

Quick tip: If you don't find OneDrive on your computer, download the OneDrive client from Microsoft and double-click the file to install it. Also, if the setup process doesn't appear, right-click the cloud icon from the notification area and select the Sign in button.

3. Confirm your Microsoft account address.
   
4. Click the Sign in button.
   

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5. Confirm your account password.
   
6. Click the Sign in button.
   

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7. (Optional) Click the Change location option if you want to specify a different path for the folder. (Usually, the default location is preferred.)
   
8. Click the Next button.
   

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9. Clear the Desktop, option.
   

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10. Click  Continue button.
    
11. Click the Next button.
12. Continue with the on-screen directions for a quick tour or click the Close (X) button.
    

After you complete the steps, you can start uploading files to OneDrive.

How to upload files to OneDrive

OneDrive integrates with File Explorer to make the process of uploading files straightforward.

To upload files to OneDrive on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
   
2. Click on OneDrive from the left pane.
   

Snap the OneDrive folder to the left side (while the window is in focus use the Windows key + left arrow).

3. Open the folder with the content you want to upload.
   
4. Snap the folder with the local files to the right side (while the window is in focus, use the Windows key + right arrow).
   
5. Copy/Paste each file and folder you want to upload to the OneDrive folder (left).
   

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After placing the new files and folders in the OneDrive folder, the client will automatically sync them to the account in the background.

In the future, instead of continually making transfers manually, remember that within the application, you can always save the files you're working on directly to the OneDrive folder.

How to choose folders available locally in OneDrive

If you have a lot of folders stored in the cloud, you can design which ones are available through the app locally from File Explorer.

To choose the OneDrive folders available through File Explorer, use these steps:

1. Click the OneDrive (cloud) button from the notification area.
   
2. Click the Help & Settings menu.
   
3. Select the Settings option.
   

4. Click the Account tab.
   
5. Click the Choose folders button.
   

6. Clear the folder that you don't want to see in File Explorer.
   

7. Click the OK button.
   

Once you complete the steps, only the folders you selected will be available as files on-demand.

If you're backing up the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders, you won't be able to clear those options. If this is the case, you'll need to stop the OneDrive backup for those folders first before removing them.

How to determine sync status badges in OneDrive

OneDrive uses at least ten different badges to inform you about the app's status and file syncing.

OneDrive icon status

1. Solid white cloud icon — OneDrive is running without problems, and sync is up-to-date.
   

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2. Solid blue cloud icon — Indicates an "OneDrive for Business" account is configured. The sync is up-to-date, and there are no problems.
   

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3. Solid gray cloud icon — OneDrive is running but is not connected to any account, or account is signed out.
   

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4. Cloud icon with arrows forming a circle — OneDrive is actively downloading or uploading files to the cloud.
   

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5. Solid red with white X icon — OneDrive is running, but there are sync problems.
   

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Files and folders statuses

5. White cloud with blue borders icon — Indicates the file is only available with an internet connection, and it's not using space on the hard drive. You'll need to double-click the file to finish the download and open it with an app.
   
6. White icon with green borders and checkmark icon — File is available offline, you can open them without an internet connection, and they're taking up local storage space on the hard drive.
   
7. Solid green with white checkmark icon — Indicates that you're using the "Always keep on this device" option to ensure important files are available offline.
   
8. Solid red with white X icon — It's an alert when there's a problem trying to sync a particular folder or file.
   
9. Cloud icon with arrows forming a circle — Indicates a file is currently syncing.
   

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How to use Files On-Demand with OneDrive

OneDrive Files On-Demand is a feature that allows you to access your entire collection of files stored in the cloud using File Explorer without having to download them to your computer.

In other words, Files On-Demand will only download small pieces of information to make the content visible, allowing you to quickly sync hundreds of gigabytes without using space on your computer. However, you'll need an internet connection to open files that you don't explicitly make available offline, or you didn't already open.

OneDrive comes with the Files On-Demand enabled by default, but if it's not, you can enable it with these steps:

1. Click the OneDrive (cloud) button from the notification area.
   
2. Click the Help & Settings menu.
   
3. Select the Settings option.
   

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4. Click the Settings tab.
   
5. Under the "Files On-Demand" section, check the Save space and download files as you use them option.
   

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6. Click the OK button.
   

Once you complete the steps, OneDrive Files On-Demand will be enabled on the device.

Manage Files On-Demand

After enabling the feature, you can manage your files in different ways. Here's how:

1. Open OneDrive folder.
   
2. Right-click the file or folder and choose one of the options:
   

2. Select the Free up space option to make a file only available with an internet connection while saving hard drive space.
   
3. Select the Always keep on this device option to ensure the content is always available offline, but it'll use hard drive space.
   

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Once you complete the steps, you'll understand how to clean up some space on your device and make essential files always available even without an internet connection.

How to share files with OneDrive

On Windows 10, you can also use OneDrive to quickly share files with family, friends, or colleagues.

Instead of making a copy of the file using a USB flash drive or sending emails to other people, OneDrive allows you to share virtually any files. This is possible by creating a secure link that others can use to access the content, which you can also revoke at any time.

1. Open OneDrive folder.
   
2. Browse to the folder with files.
   
3. Right-click the file and select the Share option.
   

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4. (Optional) Click the Anyone with the link can edit option.
   
5. Clear the Allow editing option if you only want someone else to view the file.
   

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Quick tip: If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription or OneDrive plan, you can also set the expiration date and password for the link.

6. Click the Apply button.
   
7. Specify the email address if you'll be sending the link to another person. Or click the Copy Link option to copy the link to the clipboard.
   

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8. Click the Send button.
   

After you complete the steps, the recipient will receive the link to access the shared files.

Stop sharing file in OneDrive

To stop sharing a file, use these steps:

1. Open OneDrive folder.
   
2. Browse to the folder with files.
   
3. Right-click the shared file and select the Share option.
   

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4. Click the three-dotted button in the top-right corner.
   
5. Select the Manage Access option.
   

6. Click the Remove link (X) button.
   

Once you complete the steps, the files will no longer be accessible by other people.