How to Download OneDrive for Desktop?
Last updated
Last updated
OneDrive is a cloud storage service developed by Microsoft that allows you to store files online, access them from multiple devices, and share them easily with others. Whether you’re using OneDrive for personal files or for collaboration in a professional setting, it’s a great way to ensure your documents, images, and videos are backed up, safe, and accessible anytime, anywhere.
While OneDrive works in your web browser, downloading the OneDrive desktop application gives you more functionality and a smoother experience, especially for syncing files across devices. If you're looking to download OneDrive for your desktop computer, whether you're using Windows or macOS, this guide will walk you through the entire process.
In this article, we will explain how to download and install OneDrive for desktop, how to set it up, and some useful features to make the most of it.
Before you start downloading OneDrive, there are a few things to check:
To use OneDrive, you’ll need a Microsoft account. This can be a personal account (like an Outlook, Hotmail, or Live email account) or a business account tied to an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 subscription. If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for one during the setup process.
OneDrive supports both Windows and macOS desktops. For Windows, OneDrive is available for Windows 7 and later. For macOS, OneDrive is available for macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or later versions. Be sure that your operating system is compatible with the version of OneDrive you wish to install.
Since OneDrive is a cloud-based service, an active and stable internet connection is required for downloading the app, syncing your files, and accessing your content from the cloud.
While OneDrive itself does not take up much space on your desktop, syncing your files from the cloud may require storage on your device. Ensure that you have enough free space to accommodate the files you plan to sync.
Once you’ve ensured you meet these prerequisites, you’re ready to begin downloading OneDrive.
OneDrive comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and Windows 11, so many users won’t need to manually download it. However, for users with earlier versions of Windows or if the app isn’t installed, you can follow these steps to download it.
Open Your Web Browser: Launch your preferred web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
Search for OneDrive Download: In the search bar, type “OneDrive download for Windows” or directly search for the official download page of OneDrive on Microsoft's website.
Download the Installer: Click on the “Download” button for Windows. This will download the OneDriveSetup.exe file to your computer.
Alternatively, if you're using Windows 10 or 11, OneDrive might already be pre-installed. You can check whether OneDrive is available by searching for it in the Start menu.
Locate the Downloaded Installer: Open your Downloads folder or the location where the installer file was saved.
Run the Installer: Double-click the OneDriveSetup.exe file to run it.
Allow Permissions: If prompted, allow the program to make changes to your device by clicking Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
Sign In with Your Microsoft Account: Once the setup begins, you’ll be asked to sign in with your Microsoft account. Enter the email address associated with your Microsoft account (this could be your Outlook, Hotmail, or any other Microsoft email) and click Sign In.
Enter Your Password: Type in your password and press Sign In again. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, follow the on-screen instructions to verify your identity.
OneDrive will ask you which folders you want to sync between your cloud storage and your desktop. By default, it will sync your entire OneDrive, but you can choose specific folders if you wish to save space.
Sync All Files or Select Folders: Choose whether to sync your entire OneDrive or select specific folders.
Confirm Settings: Once you’ve selected your preferred options, click Next.
Once the setup is complete, OneDrive will begin syncing your files with the cloud. Depending on the size of your OneDrive and your internet speed, this could take some time. Once the files have finished syncing, you’ll be able to access them directly from File Explorer on Windows.
After the installation, a OneDrive folder will appear in File Explorer. You can use this folder to manage files, drag-and-drop content, and access synced files. Any file you add to this folder will be uploaded to OneDrive automatically.
For Mac users, OneDrive is not pre-installed, so you’ll need to manually download and install it. Follow the steps below to get OneDrive for macOS.
Open the App Store: On your Mac, click on the App Store icon in the Dock or use Spotlight (press Command + Space and type “App Store”).
Search for OneDrive: In the search bar at the top-left corner of the App Store window, type “OneDrive” and press Enter.
Select the OneDrive App: In the search results, click on the OneDrive app developed by Microsoft.
Click Download: You’ll see a Get or Download button on the app page. Click it to start downloading the app.
Enter Apple ID Credentials: If required, enter your Apple ID credentials to begin the download. Once downloaded, OneDrive will appear in your Applications folder.
OneDrive for Mac is downloaded as an app through the Mac App Store, so the installation process is simple. After the app is downloaded:
Open the Applications Folder: Go to the Applications folder on your Mac.
Launch OneDrive: Find OneDrive in the folder and double-click to open it.
Sign In with Your Microsoft Account: When you first launch the OneDrive app, it will prompt you to sign in with your Microsoft account. Enter your Microsoft email address and password.
Set Up Syncing Preferences: Once logged in, you’ll be prompted to choose which folders to sync to your Mac. You can sync all files or select specific folders to save space.
Start Syncing: After completing the setup, OneDrive will begin syncing your files. The syncing process may take some time, depending on the size of your OneDrive and internet speed.
After the syncing is complete, you’ll be able to access your OneDrive files in Finder. The OneDrive folder will appear in the Sidebar of Finder, allowing you to browse, manage, and edit your files as needed.
Once OneDrive is installed on your desktop, you can start using it to store and manage your files. Below are some key features of OneDrive that can help you get the most out of the service.
OneDrive automatically syncs files between your desktop and the cloud, so you can access them from any device linked to your Microsoft account. This is particularly useful if you work across multiple devices. Any changes made to a file on your desktop will reflect on your other devices and vice versa.
With Files On-Demand, you can access your OneDrive files without downloading them to your desktop, saving space. This feature is enabled by default on Windows 10 and later versions.
Online-only Files: Files with a cloud icon are only stored in the cloud. You can open them, and they will download when you need them.
Always Available Files: Files with a green checkmark are stored locally and always available, even when you’re offline.
OneDrive makes it easy to share files and folders with others. Right-click on any file or folder in your OneDrive folder on your desktop, and you’ll see an option to Share it.
You can choose to share files via a link that allows recipients to view or edit the file. You can also set expiration dates and passwords for more control over your shared content.
To protect important files from being lost, you can set OneDrive to automatically back up specific folders, such as Documents, Pictures, and Desktop. This ensures that everything in these folders is safely stored in OneDrive and synced to the cloud.
By marking files or folders as Always Available Offline, you can access them even when you don't have an internet connection. This is especially helpful for travelers or those who may work in areas with unreliable internet access.
OneDrive automatically saves versions of your files and can restore files that were deleted or modified. To recover a deleted file, visit your OneDrive Recycle Bin on the website or use the version history feature to restore older versions of a file.
Downloading and using OneDrive for desktop is an excellent way to keep your files backed up, synced across devices, and easy to access. Whether you are using Windows or macOS, the process of downloading and installing OneDrive is simple and user-friendly. Once set up, OneDrive gives you the flexibility to manage and share your files, save storage space with Files On-Demand, and back up critical data for security. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily start using OneDrive to stay organized, collaborate with others, and never lose important files again.