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OneDrive settings are in different places depending on whether you use the Windows desktop sync app, the macOS app, the website, a phone, or the Microsoft Store app. The quickest route is to identify which OneDrive you have open, then use the matching menu below.
For most Windows users, the path is:
OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area → OneDrive Help and Settings → Settings
Open OneDrive settings on Windows
- Look at the notification area on the right side of the taskbar for the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon.
- If you do not see it, select Show hidden icons, shown as an up-arrow, next to the notification area.
- Right-click or select the OneDrive cloud icon.
- Select OneDrive Help and Settings.
- Select Settings.
The settings window normally includes these tabs:
| Tab | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Sync and backup | Folder backup and related sync options |
| Account | Accounts, synced folders, and unlinking the computer |
| Notifications | OneDrive notification behavior |
| About | App version and build information |
The opening screen also shows your storage usage and may include a Manage storage link.
If the OneDrive icon is missing
A missing icon does not necessarily mean that OneDrive has been uninstalled. It may be hidden or the app may not be running.
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- Select Start.
- Type OneDrive.
- Select OneDrive from the search results.
- Wait for the cloud icon to appear in the notification area, then open it and select OneDrive Help and Settings → Settings.
Be careful to select the desktop app named Microsoft OneDrive. The separate Microsoft Store app named OneDrive by Microsoft Corporation is mainly for viewing files and does not perform the normal desktop backup or file synchronization.
Useful Windows settings paths
Once the settings window is open, these are the paths beginners most often need:
| Task | Menu path |
|---|---|
| Add an account | Account → Add an account |
| Choose local folders | Account → Choose folders |
| Back up Desktop, Documents, or Pictures | Sync and backup → Manage back up |
| Disconnect this computer | Account → Unlink this PC → Unlink account |
| Check the installed build | About |
Choose which OneDrive folders are stored locally
Go to Account → Choose folders, clear the folders you do not want on this computer, and apply the change. The excluded folders are removed from the computer’s local OneDrive folder, but they remain available in OneDrive through a web browser or mobile app. This option does not delete those folders from the cloud.
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To temporarily stop synchronization, open the cloud icon menu and select OneDrive Help and Settings → Pause syncing. Choose the available duration. When you are ready, open the menu again and select Resume syncing.
To stop the app completely, select OneDrive Help and Settings → Close OneDrive. Start OneDrive again from the Windows Start menu when you need it.
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Open OneDrive settings on a Mac
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the macOS menu bar.
- Select the three dots, labeled More.
- Select Preferences.
Depending on the version and account, the available areas include Preferences, Account, and About.
| Task | Menu path |
|---|---|
| Change notifications or startup behavior | Preferences |
| Check storage or manage cloud storage | Account |
| Disconnect the Mac | Account → Unlink this Mac |
| Check the app build and architecture | About |
Files On-Demand can be enabled or disabled in the Mac preferences. Microsoft documents Files On-Demand for macOS 10.14 and newer.
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First check whether OneDrive is open in Applications. If the app is not running or needs to be reset:
- Open Applications.
- Right-click OneDrive and select Show Package Contents.
- Open Contents → Resources.
- Double-click
ResetOneDriveApp.commandfor the regular app, orResetOneDriveAppStandalone.commandfor the standalone app. - Start OneDrive and complete the setup process again.
Resetting the app changes its local configuration and requires setup again, so do not use it as the first step for a merely hidden menu-bar icon.
Open OneDrive settings on the website
The OneDrive website does not use the desktop cloud-icon menu. Sign in to OneDrive in a current browser, then open the account or settings controls provided on the site.
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Web settings can include:
- Manage storage
- Plans and upgrades
- Office File formats
- Personal Vault
- Photos and Tagging
- Notifications
- Device backups
- Restore your OneDrive
- Search
Restore an earlier OneDrive state
If files were changed, deleted, or affected by unusual activity, open the web setting called Restore your OneDrive. Choose a suggested date or use the timeline slider, review the changes, and select the changes you want to undo. This is a cloud recovery feature; it is not the same as restoring a Windows folder from the Recycle Bin.
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Open OneDrive settings on Android or iPhone
The mobile route is almost identical on both platforms:
- Open the OneDrive app.
- Tap your profile picture or the Person icon.
- Tap Settings.
Mobile settings commonly include account management, camera-upload or camera-roll options, notifications, device security, Personal Vault, and app information.
To check the app version, use Me → Settings → About on Android. On iPhone or iPad, use Me → Settings → Version.
Open settings in the Microsoft Store app
If you intentionally use the Microsoft Store version, open the app and select More … → Settings. Its documented options include Reset app, Dark mode, and Get more storage.
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Do not confuse this app with the desktop sync client. The Store app can let you view OneDrive, but Microsoft says it does not back up or sync files. For automatic synchronization with File Explorer, use the desktop app named Microsoft OneDrive.
Which account do the settings affect?
If both a personal account and work or school accounts are configured, open the cloud menu for the account you intend to change. The settings apply to the selected account.
Windows supports only one active personal OneDrive account on a computer, although multiple work or school accounts can be configured. Some options may also be unavailable on a work or school account because an organization administrator controls them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check your OneDrive version
On Windows, open OneDrive cloud icon → OneDrive Help and Settings → Settings → About.
On macOS, open cloud icon → More → Preferences → About. The Mac build information may identify whether the installation is Standalone, Apple silicon, or Preview.
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Version numbers change frequently. For example, Microsoft’s current support information lists desktop version 26.012.0119.0002, dated February 6, 2026. Your installed build may differ because updates are released progressively.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Looking only in File Explorer: File Explorer shows synced files, but the desktop app’s main settings are opened from the cloud icon in the notification area.
- Assuming a missing icon means uninstalling: Check hidden icons and start OneDrive from the Start menu first.
- Expecting the Store app to sync files: Use the desktop Microsoft OneDrive app for backup and synchronization.
- Unlinking because you want to remove local files: Unlinking disconnects the account from the computer. It is not a substitute for carefully managing local folders, and it does not mean your online files have been erased.
- Using an outdated browser: Internet Explorer is no longer supported for OneDrive. Use Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or another current browser.
FAQ
Where are OneDrive settings in Windows 11?
Select the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area. If it is hidden, select the up-arrow first. Then select OneDrive Help and Settings and choose Settings.
Why can’t I see the OneDrive cloud icon?
The icon may be under Show hidden icons, or OneDrive may not be running. Open Start, search for OneDrive, and select the desktop app named Microsoft OneDrive.
Does choosing fewer folders delete them from OneDrive?
No. Account → Choose folders removes selected folders from the computer’s local OneDrive folder, while the folders remain available online and in the mobile app.
How do I stop OneDrive temporarily?
Open the cloud icon menu, select OneDrive Help and Settings → Pause syncing, and choose a duration. Use Resume syncing to restart it.
How do I disconnect OneDrive from my computer?
On Windows, use Account → Unlink this PC → Unlink account. On a Mac, use Account → Unlink this Mac. Unlinking does not by itself delete files stored online.
Why does my OneDrive settings window have fewer options?
Some settings vary by platform, app type, account type, and version. Work or school accounts may also have options restricted by an organization’s IT administrator.
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The Bottom Line
For the desktop app, open the cloud icon first: OneDrive Help and Settings → Settings on Windows, or More → Preferences on macOS. On phones, use your profile or Person icon followed by Settings. If no sync controls appear, check that you opened the desktop Microsoft OneDrive app rather than the view-only Microsoft Store app.
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