OneDrive File Issues

Fix Not All OneDrive Files Transferred to a New Laptop

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users may find that not all of their files have transferred successfully to a new laptop via OneDrive due to incomplete synchronization, incorrect account login, or unselected sync folders.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a new laptop and attempting to access previously synced cloud files.
Observed behavior: Some OneDrive files and folders are missing or failing to appear on the new laptop.

Before you start

Verify that your new laptop has a stable internet connection and that you know the exact Microsoft account credentials used on your previous device.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Account and Update Folder Sync Settings

Ensure you are logged into the correct account and that the missing folders are explicitly selected for synchronization on the new laptop.

Often, a new installation of OneDrive does not automatically download every folder to save space. You must manually select which folders you want to sync locally.

Check your Microsoft account

Ensure you are signed in to the OneDrive app on your new laptop using the exact same Microsoft account as your old device.

Access OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, select the gear icon for 'Help & Settings', and click on 'Settings'.

Choose folders to sync

Navigate to the 'Account' tab and click on 'Choose folders'. In the pop-up window, check the boxes next to the missing folders you want to be available on your new laptop and click 'OK'.

Verify files online

Allow the synchronization process to finish, or visit onedrive.live.com in your web browser to confirm that your files actually exist in the cloud.

Sync Time: Depending on your internet speed and the size of your files, initial synchronization on a new laptop can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

Solution 2

Reset the OneDrive Application

If files are still not downloading after selecting the correct folders, resetting the OneDrive client can resolve underlying sync conflicts.

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1. Download and install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and run it on your new laptop.
2. Sign in to WPS Cloud: Log into your WPS account to automatically sync your settings and recent documents.
3. Access your files: Open the 'Cloud' tab in the WPS workspace to instantly view and edit your cross-device files without manual transfers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my OneDrive files showing a cloud icon instead of opening immediately?

This indicates that 'Files On-Demand' is enabled. The files are safely stored in the cloud to save hard drive space on your new laptop and will download locally only when you double-click to open them.

Can I transfer files to my new laptop without waiting for OneDrive to download them?

Yes. You can manually copy the OneDrive folder from your old laptop to an external USB drive, paste it into the OneDrive folder on your new laptop, and then let OneDrive quickly verify the files instead of downloading them from scratch.

How do I know if my OneDrive is currently syncing?

Check the OneDrive icon in your Windows taskbar notification area. If you see circular arrows over the blue or white cloud icon, it means files are currently uploading or downloading. Clicking the icon will show you the exact progress.

Document & File Issues