On Windows 11, OneDrive is normally already installed, but you may need to launch it and sign in. On Windows 10, download the official desktop sync app from Microsoft and install it. Use the desktop app—not just the similarly named Microsoft Store app—to sync files with File Explorer or back up folders.
This guide covers supported Windows versions, the correct installer, first-run setup, per-machine installation, and fixes for common installation problems.
Check the requirements before installing OneDrive
Microsoft lists the following supported systems for the OneDrive sync app:
- Windows 10 version 22H2
- Windows 11
- Windows Server 2016 or later
Both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows are supported where the appropriate OneDrive build is available. Microsoft lists minimum hardware requirements of a 1.6 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, a 1024×576 display, internet access, and an NTFS file system.
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You also need a Microsoft personal account, a work account, or a school account. Multiple work or school accounts are supported, but only one personal OneDrive account can be configured on a Windows device.
Windows 10 21H2 and earlier are not suitable targets for a current installation. Microsoft says those versions stop receiving OneDrive sync-app updates on August 15, 2026. They may continue to work, but future compatibility and functionality are not guaranteed. Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 desktop-app support ended on January 1, 2022.
Download the correct OneDrive app
There are two Windows apps with OneDrive in their names:
| App | What it does | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft OneDrive | Website-distributed desktop backup and sync app | Syncing files with File Explorer, folder backup, and automatic synchronization |
| OneDrive by Microsoft Corporation | Microsoft Store viewing and access app | Browsing OneDrive files without installing the desktop sync client |
The Store app does not back up or sync files. Both apps can be installed at the same time, so seeing the Store version does not necessarily mean that the desktop client is installed.
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- Open Microsoft’s Download OneDrive page.
- In the Windows section, select Download.
- Alternatively, use Microsoft’s direct download page: microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive/download.
- Open the downloaded installer and follow the setup prompts.
Do not use the Microsoft Store app as a substitute if your goal is synchronization. To check which version is installed, open Start → Settings → Apps, then search for OneDrive.
Choose the right OneDrive architecture
For most users, Microsoft’s download and setup process selects the appropriate build automatically:
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| Windows device | Appropriate build |
|---|---|
| 32-bit Windows on an x86 processor | 32-bit OneDrive |
| 64-bit Windows on a conventional Intel or AMD system | 64-bit OneDrive |
| Windows on an ARM device | ARM64 OneDrive |
The 64-bit build is intended for 64-bit Windows, particularly on computers handling large files or large numbers of files. The x64 build cannot be used on an ARM64 device; use the ARM64 build instead. Windows 10 systems that require the 32-bit client receive the 32-bit build automatically.
Install OneDrive for every user on a PC
A normal installation is generally associated with the current user. For a per-machine installation, download the installer and run this command from an elevated Command Prompt or another administrator-approved deployment tool:
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OneDriveSetup.exe /allusers
The exact location of OneDriveSetup.exe depends on where the installer was downloaded.
Set up OneDrive after installation
On Windows 11, OneDrive is already included, but you still need to launch it and complete account setup. On either Windows 10 or Windows 11:
- Open Start.
- Type OneDrive.
- Select the OneDrive desktop app, not just the Store app.
- Enter your personal, work, or school account email address.
- Select Sign in and complete any account verification steps.
Choose the OneDrive folder location
When the setup wizard displays This is your OneDrive folder, choose one of these options:
- Select Next to accept the default location.
- Select Change location if the synchronized folder must be stored on another drive or in another folder.
Choose the location carefully. This is the documented setup stage for changing the folder path. If you move the folder later, use OneDrive’s unlink and relink process rather than dragging the folder in File Explorer while synchronization is active.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Understand Files On-Demand
The All your files, ready and on-demand screen explains the three main file states:
| File state | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Online-only | The file is listed in File Explorer but downloads when opened. It uses little or no local disk space. |
| Locally available | The file has been downloaded and can be opened offline, although Windows may make it online-only again when space is needed. |
| Always available | The file is downloaded and kept on the device for offline use. |
Select Next to continue. After setup, your synced files appear in File Explorer. A personal account is normally shown as OneDrive – Personal, while an organization may appear as OneDrive – CompanyName. A cloud icon for OneDrive appears in the taskbar notification area.
How to tell whether OneDrive is running
Look for the OneDrive cloud in the notification area at the right side of the taskbar. If it is not visible:
- Select Show hidden icons in the notification area.
- Look for the OneDrive cloud icon there.
- If it is not present, open Start, search for OneDrive, and launch the desktop app.
A missing cloud icon does not prove that OneDrive has been uninstalled. The app may simply be closed or its icon may be hidden.
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This message usually means that an older or incomplete installation is preventing the new installer from continuing. Remove the existing desktop client and reinstall it:
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter appwiz.cpl and select OK.
- Find Microsoft OneDrive in the installed-programs list.
- Right-click it and select Uninstall.
- Download the latest desktop installer from Microsoft.
- Run the installer.
- Open Start, search for OneDrive, and launch the desktop app.
- Enter your account email address and select Sign in.
Uninstalling OneDrive stops synchronization; it does not delete your cloud files. You can still access them by signing in at OneDrive.com.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
If normal removal fails
Microsoft also documents a Registry Editor cleanup for this specific error. Registry changes can damage Windows if the wrong key is removed, so back up the registry before continuing.
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter regedit and select OK.
- Go to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive.
- Right-click the OneDrive folder and select Delete.
- Close Registry Editor and try the installation again.
Reset OneDrive when setup or synchronization is stuck
Resetting the desktop sync app does not delete files or cloud data. It does disconnect all OneDrive sync connections, including personal and work or school accounts, and then performs a full synchronization.
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- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
- Select OK.
- If Windows cannot find the file, try C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
- If that path also fails, try C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
- Open Start, type OneDrive, and select the desktop app.
- Sign in again if prompted.
If you previously selected specific folders for synchronization, configure those choices again after the reset and the subsequent synchronization finish. Do this for both personal and work or school accounts where applicable. If all three reset paths fail, Microsoft’s documented conclusion is that the desktop sync app is not installed.
Reset the Microsoft Store app
If you are troubleshooting the Store viewing app rather than the desktop sync client:
- Open Start.
- Enter apps:onedrive.
- Select App settings.
- Scroll down and select Reset.
OneDrive version and setup-interface changes
OneDrive releases are rolled out gradually, so two computers may show different versions. A device can legitimately have a version higher than the version currently shown as released on Microsoft’s release-notes page.
Microsoft’s release notes list production version 26.113.0614.0004, released July 3, 2026, for amd64 and ARM64. Version 26.123.0628.0001, released July 17, 2026, is listed as rolling out. Microsoft also rebuilt the first-run setup experience in version 26.032.0217.0003, released March 6, 2026. As a result, older screenshots may not match the wording or layout on your computer.
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Recent changes also include support for administrators defining a custom local OneDrive folder name, rather than always using OneDrive – {organization name}. Microsoft changed the Windows offline-mode process name in 2025 from Microsoft.SharePoint.exe to OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe, displayed as Microsoft OneDrive Sync Service.
FAQ
Is OneDrive already installed on Windows 11?
Yes. Windows 11 includes OneDrive, but you may still need to open it from Start and sign in to complete setup. If it is missing or damaged, download the desktop app from Microsoft’s OneDrive download page.
Which OneDrive app syncs files on Windows?
The website-distributed app named Microsoft OneDrive performs backup and synchronization. The Microsoft Store app named OneDrive by Microsoft Corporation is primarily for viewing and accessing files and does not back up or sync them.
Does uninstalling OneDrive delete my files?
No. Uninstalling the app stops synchronization on that computer. Files already stored in OneDrive remain available online at OneDrive.com and on other synchronized devices.
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Can I install OneDrive on Windows 10?
Yes, if the computer runs Windows 10 version 22H2. Windows 10 version 21H2 and earlier stop receiving OneDrive sync-app updates after August 15, 2026, and Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 are not supported by the current desktop app.
Why can’t I find the OneDrive cloud icon?
The icon may be under the taskbar’s Show hidden icons control, or OneDrive may not be running. Open Start, search for OneDrive, and launch the desktop app.
The Bottom Line
Download Microsoft OneDrive from Microsoft’s website, then launch it from Start and sign in. Accept or change the folder location on the This is your OneDrive folder screen, and use Files On-Demand to control how much local disk space synchronized files use. Do not rely on the Microsoft Store app for backup or synchronization.
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