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How to Fix OneDrive Not Downloading All Photos and Videos
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where OneDrive is only partially downloading synced photos and videos to the local computer.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Syncing cloud-based photos and videos to local device storage for offline access.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive syncs only a portion of the media files because certain folders are either excluded from the backup or not explicitly selected for local synchronization.
Before modifying your sync settings, ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify that your computer has sufficient local disk space to download all your media files.
Configure OneDrive Folder Selection and Backup Settings
Adjusting the folders selected for sync ensures that all your photos and videos download directly to your local computer instead of remaining online-only.
OneDrive uses a feature called 'Choose folders' to determine which cloud files are mirrored on your local drive. If specific folders containing your pictures or videos are unchecked in these settings, they will remain safely in the cloud but will not download locally.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Windows taskbar or system tray. Click the 'Help & Settings' gear icon in the top right of the flyout menu, then select 'Settings'.
Navigate to the 'Sync and back up' tab and click on 'Manage backup'. Confirm that the switches for your 'Pictures' and 'Videos' folders are toggled on.
Go to the 'Account' tab and click the 'Choose folders' button. Scroll through the list and check the boxes next to every photo and video folder you want to be downloaded and available locally.
Click 'OK' to save your changes. Leave your computer on and connected to the internet to allow OneDrive time to download the newly selected files.
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- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button for your specific operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Sign In and Sync: Launch WPS Office, sign in to your account, and instantly access your local files or utilize WPS Cloud for seamless backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my OneDrive files show a cloud icon and not open offline?
Files displaying a cloud icon are marked as 'online-only' to save local disk space through OneDrive's Files On-Demand feature. To download them, right-click the file or folder and select 'Always keep on this device'.
What happens if my computer doesn't have enough space for all my OneDrive photos?
If your local drive lacks sufficient storage, OneDrive will stop downloading files and display an 'Out of space' error. You will need to free up local disk space or uncheck larger folders in the 'Choose folders' settings to resume syncing.
How long does it take for OneDrive to download all my videos?
The synchronization time depends entirely on the total file size and your internet connection's download speed. Large video files will naturally take longer; ensure your PC remains awake and connected to a stable network until the sync is complete.
