How to use OneDrive from longtime users’ tips

Do you know what OneDrive is? OneDrive lets you store files and data in the cloud and access that storage anywhere, anytime. So you already know how to use OneDrive Not yet? Together GhienCongListen learn how to use OneDrive on this Windows computer? Is it simple?

But you must install the OneDrive app on your computer or mobile device first if you don’t already have it. With Windows 10, OneDrive comes pre-installed, you can find the app in the Start menu or the Windows search bar.

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Then, sign up (if you don’t have an account) and sign in with your Microsoft account (Outlook, Hotmail, Gmail) into the OneDrive app

How to use OneDrive

Set up automatic sync folders with OneDrive

OneDrive’s strength is that it can work best with Windows 10 and up. After successfully logging in your account to the OneDrive app, the service will suggest you a list of folders that sync data in it continuously in the OneDrive cloud automatically when there are any other additions or changes.

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Folders that OneDrive encourages you to automatically sync include: Pictures, Videos, and Documents.

If you missed this step the first time you enabled OneDrive on your computer. No problem, you can follow the steps below to choose a folder to automatically back up to OneDrive:

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Step 1: Right-click the cloud icon on the Taskbar to access OneDrive settings.

Step 2: Select Settings.

Step 3: Select tab Account and Select folder.

Step 4: You notice in the Sync your OneDrive files with this PC dialog box, select the folder you want to sync or uncheck the folder you don’t want to sync and press OK to complete.

How to upload files to OneDrive

You want to store certain files on your computer on OneDrive’s storage space, the steps are as follows:

Step 1: Open File Explorer (Because OneDrive and File Explorer are seamlessly connected, uploading files to OneDrive is also easier).

Step 2: Click select OneDrive from the left pane and mount the OneDrive folder on the left (Shortcut: Windows + Left Arrow).

Step 3: Open another tab of File Explorer (Shortcut: Windows+E), then you select the folder where you want to upload the file.

Step 4: Mount the folder containing local files to the right (Shortcut: Windows + Right Arrow).

Step 5: Drag and drop each file or folder you want to upload to OneDrive one by one to complete the file and folder upload process.

Once files and folders have been uploaded OneDrive will be automatically synced in the background.

How to use Files On-Demand on OneDrive

OneDrive Files On-Demand is a feature that lets you access your entire file collection using File Explorer without having to download them to your device.

When this feature is enabled, OneDrive will only download small pieces of information to display the content on your computer, allowing you to quickly sync hundreds of gigabytes without using local storage.

However, you will need an internet connection to open files that you have not explicitly made available offline or have not opened.

Files On-Demand will be enabled by default, but if not, you can enable it with these steps:

Step 1: Click the OneDrive (cloud) button from the notification area.

Step 2: Click the menu Help & Settings.

Step 3: Select option Settings.

Step 4: Click the tab Settings.

Step 5: In the Files On-Demand section, select the option Save space and download files as you use them.

Step 6: Press OK to apply the change.

How to share files using a link

Step 1: Open the OneDrive folder in File Explorer.

Step 2: Right click on the file and select Share.

Step 3: Click Anyone with the link can edit option.

Step 4: Erase Allow editing when you only share to others for the purpose of showing them the file only, no editing is allowed.

Step 5: Click select Apply.

Step 6: Customize the Email addresses you will send the file link to. Then choose Copy link to perform file association copy to clipboard.

Step 7: Press Send and Close to complete the link submission.

How to share files with high security

To share files that you want to protect your data from being edited by others, you just need to do a few more steps about editing permissions as follows:

Step 1: Open the OneDrive folder.

Step 2: Right click on the file and select Share.

Step 3: Click the three-dot button in the top-right corner of the dialog box.

Step 4: Select More OneDrive sharing options.

Step 5: Check Set password to set a password for this file when sharing.

Step 6: Then select Copy link to make copy the file link to the clipboard and paste it in an email or send this link to the person you want to share it with.

Create shared folders for family and friends

One easy way to use OneDrive is to create a folder for a group of people that you need to share. To create a shared folder for family and friends, simply do the following:

Step 1: Go to OneDrive

Step 2: Create a folder and enter the data you want to share

Step 3: You choose Sharethen add the accounts of the family members or friends you want to share the folder with.

Step 4: Edit permissions, allow view-only or editable, select Copy link and send.

So your family and friends have received that folder.

How to set up Personal Vault with OneDrive

To set up Personal Vault with OneDrive, follow the steps.

Step 1: Go to OneDrive.

Step 2: Click select Help & Settings.

Step 3: Click select Unlock Personal Vault .

Step 4: Press next and choose Allow.

Step 5: Continue the request to verify your account. You should then be able to save the file to OneDrive’s secure area.

How to determine sync status in OneDrive

After learning how to use OneDrive in some work, how do we recognize the sync status in OneDrive?

You can determine if OneDrive is syncing by looking at the OneDrive cloud icon on your desktop app bar or in the phone app. With this usage of OneDrive, you will promptly detect and repair files on OneDrive for efficient synchronization.

• Uniform white cloud icon: Indicates OneDrive is up and running, has no issues and is updating sync.
• Solid blue cloud icon: Indicates OneDrive for Business is syncing normally.
• Solid gray cloud icon: Indicates OneDrive is still running while the account is signed out or no accounts are connected.
• Cloud icon with arrows forming a circle: Shows another synced app downloading or uploading files on OneDrive.
• Solid red with a white X: OneDrive is running fine, but there’s a problem with syncing.

How to restore a previous version of a file in OneDrive

You can completely restore deleted or edited versions of files and folders. This is also an effective and useful way to use OneDrive. The order of steps is as follows:

Step 1: Access OneDrive.

Step 2: Right-click the shared file, then select Version history.

Step 3: Go through all the versions in the history and select the version you want to restore. Tap the ellipsis, select Restore.

Once done, the version of the file was replaced by an older version on OneDrive.

See also – 5 things to do as soon as your OneDrive loses data

How to check storage usage in OneDrive

After learning some ways to use OneDrive, let’s learn more about using OneDrive with OneDrive cloud storage usage check.

How many GB is free OneDrive?

For a free OneDrive account, you get up to 5Gb of storage. If you want more storage, you can purchase more or make a Microsoft Office 365 subscription to upgrade your storage.

View remaining usage

Step 1: Go to OneDrive and sign in.

Step 2: Select the gear icon, press select Options.

Step 3: You choose Storage Management (Manage Storage). Observe item Total used (Total Used) to see how much space you’ve used. As shown below is 449 MB use of 5GB. So you have used 449 Mb out of 5Gb and have about 4671Mb left unused.

How to transfer data between 2 OneDrive accounts

To transfer data between two OneDrive accounts, you can do the following:

Step 1: Access and sign in to your OneDrive account.

Step 2: Select Help & Settings (Help&Setting) > choose Settings(Settings).

Step 3: In the settings dialog you choose Account (Account), Continue to choose Add an account.

Step 4: Sign in to the OneDrive account you need to transfer data to.

Step 5: In the File Explorer section, select the synced OneDrive folder and transfer the folders or files from the old OneDrive account to this new OneDrive account one by one.

How to transfer data from OneDrive to Google Drive

There is no way to transfer data directly from OneDrive to Google Drive, the only way is to download the file from OneDrive’s cloud to your computer and then upload the file back to Google Drive.

Step 1: Access OneDriveselect item Files.

Step 2: Select the folder or data file you need to transfer and select Download.

Step 3:Then right-click on the downloaded Rar file on your PC, select Extract File to decompress data.

Step 4: Access Google Drive and upload the extracted data file or folder on your PC.

What is the difference between OneDrive and OneDrive for Business?

OneDrive is a cloud service that lets you connect to your files and data anywhere. At the same time, OneDrive also supports the security and storage of those files, enabling the ability to share files with others.

OneDrive for Business is OneDrive for school, work, or work. On it, you can store personal files about work and study, and will share files with everyone in your organization.

Your OneDrive for Business account will be issued by your work, school or company to sync work or study.

Here’s what you should know when learning how to use OneDrive. Don’t forget to follow GhienCongList for more useful information.