OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Not Syncing Files on the D Drive

Bushra Parveen Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to understand why files stored on the D drive are not being synchronized by OneDrive and how to configure settings to ensure those files are backed up.

How to Fix OneDrive Not Syncing Files on the D Drive

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to sync local documents and folders located on a secondary partition (D drive) to OneDrive cloud storage.
Observed behavior: Files stored outside the default OneDrive folder on the D drive do not sync, even if the D drive appears in the backup settings.

Before you start

Ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify whether your D drive is an internal or external drive, as external drives may be subject to different connection and syncing limitations.

Solution 1Recommended

Move the OneDrive Sync Folder to the D Drive

If you want all your synchronized files to reside on the D drive, you must explicitly change the location of your OneDrive root folder to the D drive.

OneDrive only synchronizes files that are located entirely within its designated root folder. Selecting a drive in your backup settings does not automatically configure OneDrive to monitor every folder on that drive.

Unlink your PC

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar, select the gear icon (Help & Settings), and choose 'Settings'. Go to the 'Account' tab and click 'Unlink this PC'.

Sign back into OneDrive

After unlinking, the OneDrive setup screen will appear. Enter your Microsoft account credentials to sign in again.

Change the folder location

On the 'Your OneDrive folder' screen, click the 'Change location' link. Navigate to your D drive, create or select a dedicated folder for OneDrive, and click 'Select Folder'.

Complete setup

Follow the remaining on-screen prompts to finish the setup. OneDrive will now sync files located in this new folder on your D drive.

Move the OneDrive Sync Folder to the D Drive

Space Saving: Moving the OneDrive folder to a secondary D drive is a great way to free up valuable storage space on your primary C drive.

Solution 2

Move Your D Drive Files into the Existing OneDrive Folder

The quickest way to get specific files from your D drive to sync is to move them into the folder OneDrive is already monitoring.

Solution 3

Verify File Permissions and Sync Settings

If files inside the OneDrive folder on the D drive are still not syncing, restricted file permissions or paused sync settings may be the cause.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does selecting a drive in backup settings automatically sync everything on it?

No. Selecting a drive in backup settings does not automatically sync every file or folder on that drive. OneDrive will only synchronize files that are placed specifically within the designated OneDrive root folder.

Can I sync multiple folders from different drives at the same time in OneDrive?

Officially, OneDrive only syncs files located within its single configured root folder. To sync folders from different drives, you must either manually move them into the OneDrive folder or use advanced workarounds like creating symbolic links via the Command Prompt.

Why do my files show a sync error icon after moving them to the OneDrive folder?

Sync errors typically happen if the file is currently open in another application, lacks the proper read/write security permissions, or contains special characters in its name that are not supported by OneDrive.

Document & File Issues