OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Cannot Copy OneDrive Photos on a Windows Computer

Phi Hung Vo Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to copy or process iPhone photos synced to OneDrive using a third-party application on Windows, which incorrectly reports that OneDrive is not signed in.

How to Fix Cannot Copy OneDrive Photos on a Windows Computer

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to copy or process OneDrive-synced photos using FastStone Photo Resizer on a Windows PC.
Observed behavior: The application fails to process the photos and displays an error stating that OneDrive is not signed in, even though the OneDrive account appears to be connected.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows computer has a stable internet connection and verify that the Microsoft OneDrive application is actively running in your system tray.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink and Relink Your OneDrive Account

Refreshing your OneDrive connection can resolve authentication glitches that cause third-party software to think you are signed out.

Often, the connection token between OneDrive and Windows can become corrupted. Unlinking and relinking your PC forces OneDrive to re-authenticate, which restores full file access for third-party programs.

Access OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar system tray. Click the 'Help & Settings' (gear icon) in the upper-right corner of the popup, then select 'Settings'.

Unlink This PC

Navigate to the 'Account' tab in the settings window. Click on the 'Unlink this PC' link, and confirm your choice when prompted.

Relink the Account

The OneDrive setup screen will appear automatically. Enter your Microsoft account email and password to sign back in, and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Wait for Synchronization

Allow a few minutes for OneDrive to fully synchronize your files. Once the icon shows 'Up to date', try copying your photos in FastStone Photo Resizer again.

Resetting OneDrive as an Alternative: If relinking doesn't work, press Win + R, type '%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset', and hit Enter to reset the application cache.

Solution 2

Troubleshoot Third-Party Software (FastStone)

Use this solution if OneDrive files are fully accessible in Windows File Explorer but still fail to load in the specific third-party photo application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my synced iPhone photos show a sign-in error on Windows?

This typically occurs if the OneDrive desktop client loses its authentication token, or if a third-party app lacks the proper permissions to request 'Files On-Demand' downloads from the cloud.

Can I copy OneDrive photos without using third-party apps?

Yes. You can use Windows File Explorer to browse to your OneDrive folder, select the photos you want, right-click to copy them, and paste them into any local folder on your computer.

What does the OneDrive reset command actually do?

Resetting OneDrive clears its temporary sync settings and restores the application to a clean state without deleting any of your actual files. It forces a complete background sync which often resolves connection glitches.

Why can't my Windows PC process iPhone photos?

iPhones often save photos in the HEIC format. By default, Windows and some third-party apps may require you to download HEIF image extensions to view or process them, or you may need to configure your iPhone to transfer photos as 'Automatic' (JPG).

Document & File Issues