Does Microsoft Office Document Cache Service Support OneDrive Files?
Question details
The user wants to understand whether the Microsoft Office Document Cache service is used for OneDrive files and why the service may show little CPU activity.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Document Cache and OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- The user checked the Office Document Cache service and OneDrive and wants to understand how they work together.
- Observed behavior
- The Office Document Cache service is running with low CPU usage, but OneDrive will not open from the Start menu.
Before checking the relationship between Office Document Cache and OneDrive, sign in to OneDrive and make sure Microsoft 365 or Office is up to date. You should also be able to open the Windows Services console to see the current service status.
Check Whether Office Document Cache Is Enabled for OneDrive Files
Use this solution when you need to confirm that the Microsoft Office Document Cache service can support OneDrive and understand idle CPU usage.
The Office Document Cache service supports OneDrive when the related Microsoft Office or OneDrive setting is turned on. Low CPU activity is expected when no files are being uploaded, downloaded, or checked for changes.
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
In the Services window, find Microsoft Office Document Cache, then confirm its status is Running and its startup type is not Disabled.
Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, go to Help & Settings > Settings, and open the Office tab.
Turn on the setting "Use Office applications to sync Office files that I open" or the equivalent option shown in your OneDrive version.
Low CPU usage does not mean the service is inactive. The service normally works on demand when Office files are opened or synced.
Restart and Troubleshoot OneDrive When It Will Not Open
Use this solution if OneDrive remains disabled in the Start menu or does not open after you check the cache service.
Handle Documents in WPS Office Without Office Document Cache Sync Issues
If Microsoft Office Document Cache and OneDrive behavior is hard to diagnose, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight alternative with familiar formatting and cloud storage that avoids this Microsoft cache layer.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Go to the official WPS Office website and select Download WPS Office Free.
- 2. Install and sign in: Run the installer, open WPS Office, and sign in with a free WPS account.
- 3. Open Microsoft Office files: Open your .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files in WPS Office and save them locally or to WPS Cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Office Document Cache service automatically cache all OneDrive files?
No. It supports OneDrive when the "Use Office applications to sync Office files that I open" option or an equivalent OneDrive/Office setting is enabled. Only then does it handle the relevant Office file cache activity.
Why is the Office Document Cache service using very little CPU?
Low CPU usage is expected when no files are actively syncing or being checked. The service works on demand, so it can appear idle even when it is available.
What should I do if OneDrive will not open even though the Document Cache service is running?
Restart the computer first. If OneDrive is still disabled, reset it with onedrive.exe /reset from the Run dialog, or repair or reinstall it from the official Microsoft website.
Does WPS Office depend on the Microsoft Office Document Cache service?
No. WPS Office uses its own file handling and WPS Cloud storage, so it does not require the Microsoft Office Document Cache service to open or save Office files.
Can WPS Office open files that were previously synced by OneDrive?
Yes. Once the files are available locally or through WPS Cloud, WPS Office can open and save .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files with Microsoft Office format compatibility.
