OneDrive File Issues

How to Move OneDrive Folder to a Secondary Internal Drive

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to sync a large collection of files to OneDrive using a secondary internal drive to avoid consuming space on the primary system drive.

How to Move OneDrive Folder to a Secondary Internal Drive

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Syncing a large dataset to OneDrive without filling up the primary C: drive or creating unnecessary local duplicates.
Observed behavior: OneDrive defaults to requiring space on the primary C: drive and does not natively prompt to use the secondary D: drive where the large files are already located.

Before you start

Ensure that your secondary internal drive is formatted with the NTFS file system, as OneDrive cannot sync to external USB drives, network locations, or drives formatted as FAT32 or exFAT.

Solution 1Recommended

Change the OneDrive Sync Location to Your Secondary Drive

Unlink your current OneDrive account and set it up again to redirect the sync folder to your secondary internal drive.

By default, OneDrive installs and syncs to your system drive. To utilize your secondary drive (such as your D: drive), you must unlink your account, move your existing OneDrive folder, and select the new location during the sign-in process.

Unlink your PC

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows taskbar notification area. Click the gear icon for 'Help & Settings', select 'Settings', navigate to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this PC'.

Move the OneDrive folder

Open File Explorer and navigate to your current OneDrive folder (typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\OneDrive). Select the folder and move it to your secondary internal D: drive.

Sign back in

Open the OneDrive application again. Enter your Microsoft account email address and password to sign in.

Select the new location

When you reach the 'Your OneDrive folder' screen, click the 'Change location' button. Browse to the secondary drive, select the OneDrive folder you just moved, and confirm.

Complete setup

Click 'Next' and proceed through the rest of the setup wizard. OneDrive will now verify the existing files on your secondary drive and resume syncing without duplicating files on the C: drive.

Change the OneDrive Sync Location to Your Secondary Drive

External Drive Limitations: OneDrive generally cannot use an external USB drive or SD card as its sync location. You must select a permanently attached internal drive.

Solution 2

Migrate to a Larger Primary Drive using a Cloning Utility

If redirecting the folder is not possible, use a third-party cloning tool to migrate your entire system and OneDrive setup to a larger primary drive.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Lightweight Office Suite with Built-in Cloud?

If managing OneDrive storage limits and system drive issues is becoming a hassle, try WPS Office. It provides a free, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, complete with its own flexible cloud storage to keep your documents synced and safe across all devices.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Download WPS Office Free' to get the installer file.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer. During setup, you can customize the installation path to your secondary drive if you want to save space on your C: drive.
3. Sign In and Sync: Launch WPS Office, sign in to activate your free WPS Cloud storage, and easily open or save your existing Microsoft Office documents.

Free, lightweight, and easy to install on any local driveFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsBuilt-in WPS Cloud for easy document syncing across Windows, Mac, and mobile devicesFamiliar user interface requires no learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sync my OneDrive folder to an external USB drive?

No, OneDrive requires the sync folder to be located on a permanently attached internal drive formatted with the NTFS file system. Removable USB drives, SD cards, and network drives are generally not supported for continuous syncing.

Will moving my OneDrive folder delete the files stored in the cloud?

No, unlinking your account and moving the local OneDrive folder only changes where the files are stored and synced on your local computer. Your files in the cloud remain safe and will seamlessly sync to the new local destination.

Can I pool storage together with a Microsoft 365 Family subscription?

A Microsoft 365 Family subscription allows you to share access with up to five other people. While each person gets their own separate 1 TB of OneDrive storage, these individual storage quotas cannot be pooled or merged into one single large drive.

Document & File Issues