How to Change the OneDrive Folder Location on Your Computer
Question details
The user wants to move their local OneDrive synchronization folder to a different drive or directory.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing local disk space by reorganizing file storage locations to a different local drive.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs to set a new local path for their OneDrive sync folder without causing data loss or cloud synchronization conflicts.
Ensure all your current OneDrive files are fully synced to the cloud (look for the solid green checkmark or cloud icon on your files) before attempting to change the folder location.
Unlink and Reconnect OneDrive to a New Location
The safest and official method to change your OneDrive folder location is to unlink your account, manually move the folder, and then reconnect it to the new path.
By unlinking your account, you safely pause the current synchronization process. When you sign back in, you can select a new destination path and prompt OneDrive to merge with the existing files if you moved them manually, which saves significant download time.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray or menu bar, select the gear icon to open 'Help & Settings', and choose 'Settings'. Navigate to the 'Account' tab and click 'Unlink this PC'.
Open your file manager, locate your current OneDrive folder, copy the entire folder, and paste it into your desired new location (such as drive D:). This step prevents you from having to redownload all your files from the cloud.
The OneDrive setup screen should appear automatically after unlinking. Enter your Microsoft account email address and password to sign back in.
On the 'Your OneDrive folder' setup screen, do not click 'Next' immediately. Instead, click 'Change location', navigate to the new drive where you pasted your folder in step 2, and select it.
Click 'Use this location' when prompted about merging files. Finish the setup wizard and wait for OneDrive to complete the initial resynchronization process before deleting the old folder from your previous drive.
Boost Your Productivity with WPS Office
While managing your cloud storage, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office that offers a familiar interface and lightweight performance, while seamlessly opening files directly from your newly moved OneDrive folder.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website to download the free, lightweight installer.
- 2. Install and launch: Follow the simple installation prompts and open WPS Office to experience the familiar interface.
- 3. Access your files: Open your documents directly from your newly configured OneDrive folder and start editing instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I select an external hard drive for my new OneDrive folder location?
Yes, but the external drive must be formatted as NTFS (on Windows) or APFS (on Mac). Furthermore, the drive must remain continuously connected to your computer whenever OneDrive is running to prevent synchronization errors.
What happens if I don't move the original files manually before reconnecting?
If you select a new location without moving the existing files there first, OneDrive will redownload all your data from the cloud to the new folder. This can consume a significant amount of time and internet bandwidth.
Will changing my folder location delete any files stored in my cloud account?
No, changing the local folder location only affects the synchronization path on your specific computer. Your files stored in the cloud will remain completely safe and untouched during this entire process.
