How to Sync a D: Drive Documents Folder with OneDrive
Question details
The user needs to successfully sync their Documents folder with OneDrive after relocating it to a secondary D: drive.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Moving the default Windows Documents folder from the C: drive to the D: drive and attempting to keep it synchronized with OneDrive.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive creates the folder structure on the new drive but fails to upload or synchronize the actual files inside the Documents folder.
Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft account and verify that your D: drive has sufficient storage space to hold both your local files and the OneDrive application cache.
Change the OneDrive Default Location and Enable PC Folder Backup
Instead of manually copying the Documents folder, move the entire OneDrive root directory to your D: drive and use the built-in PC Folder Backup feature to manage synchronization.
When you manually move the Documents folder, it can break the directory mapping OneDrive relies on. To fix this, you must relocate the OneDrive service itself to the D: drive and let it handle the folder routing automatically.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar. Go to 'Help & Settings' (gear icon) > 'Settings'. Navigate to the 'Account' tab and click 'Unlink this PC'.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your current OneDrive folder (typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]). Select the OneDrive folder, click 'Move to' in the Home ribbon, and choose a location on your D: drive.
Open the OneDrive app and sign back in. When you reach the screen that displays 'This is your OneDrive folder', click 'Change location' and select the new OneDrive folder you just moved to your D: drive. Follow the prompts to finish the setup.
Open OneDrive Settings again, go to the 'Sync and backup' tab, and click 'Manage backup'. Toggle the switch for the 'Documents' folder. OneDrive will now properly sync your documents to the cloud from the D: drive.
Edit and Save Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While troubleshooting folder sync issues on Windows, you need a dependable office suite that manages files smoothly across different drives. WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that gives you complete control over where your documents are saved, whether locally on your D: drive or backed up to the cloud.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office Free from the official website and run the installer. You can choose to install it on your C: or D: drive.
- 2. Open your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly from your D: drive Documents folder.
- 3. Save and Sync: Edit your files seamlessly. You can save changes locally or use the built-in WPS Cloud feature to sync your documents effortlessly across devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive stop uploading files when I manually move the Documents folder?
Manually moving the Documents folder breaks the system shortcuts and junctions that OneDrive uses for its PC Folder Backup feature. For syncing to work, OneDrive must manage the folder relocation through its 'Manage backup' settings.
Can I sync any folder on my D: drive with OneDrive?
By default, OneDrive only syncs files located inside the main OneDrive folder or the standard Windows folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures). To sync custom folders on your D: drive, you must place them directly inside the newly relocated OneDrive folder.
Is OneDrive synchronization a safe way to backup my PC?
No. OneDrive sync mirrors your local actions to the cloud. If you accidentally delete a file or if it gets corrupted by malware locally, those changes sync immediately, meaning the file is compromised everywhere. Always use a dedicated backup tool for complete data protection.
