OneDrive: Syncing Files

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Overview

Synching your OneDrive is connecting your computer to your OneDrive so that they have two-way communication. This means that when you edit a document on your desktop computer, the changes will be reflected in the Cloud storage and vice versa. You can think of it like the OneDrive is the online "home" for your documents and your desktop is a "portal" to access them. When your OneDrive is not syncing, it means that the communication from your desktop to the online version of OneDrive has been severed, so changes made to your file will only be saved locally. When you initially access your OneDrive on your desktop, it automatically syncs-- after that, you can check the syncing status to make sure the connection is maintained.

Considerations

Information and Instruction (Windows)

Check Syncing Status

  1. On the right side of the task bar, click on the OneDrive icon to open up the OneDrive panel.
    Blue Cloud/OneDrive Icon 
  2. At the top of the panel, OneDrive will tell you its syncing status. Your files are synced means that your OneDrive is properly synced.

Syncing Issues

If OneDrive is not syncing, there will be a red "x" over the OneDrive logo. 

  1. Click on the OneDrive icon with the red "x"
  2. Follow the prompt to resume or sign in to re-sync your OneDrive.

Additional Resources

Information and Instruction (MacOS)

Check Syncing Status

  1. On the right side of the menu bar at the top of your screen, there click on the OneDrive icon to open up the OneDrive panel.
    OneDrive Icon/white cloud 
  2. At the top of the panel, OneDrive will tell you its syncing status. Your files are synced means that your OneDrive is properly synced.

Syncing issues

If OneDrive is not syncing, there will be an "x" over the OneDrive logo. 

  1. Click on the OneDrive icon with the "x"
  2. Follow the prompt to resume or sign in to re-sync your OneDrive.
  3. If no prompt appears and OneDrive is still not syncing, click on the Help & Settings gear in the top right.
  4. Select Preferences>Account>Unlink this Mac>Unlink Account
  5. You should be prompted to sign in again. Follow the sign in instructions on the screen.

Additional Resources

Still need help?

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