OneDrive File Issues

How to Sync Documents Folder Across Multiple PCs with OneDrive

Olivia Miller Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to merge the default Documents folders from multiple PCs into a single OneDrive folder without creating separate folders for each computer.

How to Sync the Same Documents Folder Across Multiple PCs with OneDrive

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows 10, Windows 11
Scenario: Setting up file synchronization across multiple personal computers used by a single Microsoft 365 account.
Observed behavior: The user needs the folders to act as one unified Documents folder across all devices rather than keeping files isolated on individual PCs.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed in to the exact same Microsoft account on all your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs before attempting to sync and merge folders.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable OneDrive Folder Backup for Documents

Turn on the PC folder backup feature in OneDrive to automatically sync and merge your Documents across all connected devices.

When you enable folder backup for the Documents folder on multiple PCs logged into the same Microsoft account, OneDrive automatically merges their contents. Note that you cannot selectively sync subfolders within the Documents folder; it is an all-or-nothing backup process.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click on the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Windows taskbar notification area, select the Settings gear icon, and then click on 'Settings'.

Navigate to Manage Backups

Go to the 'Sync and back up' tab in the left sidebar and click on the 'Manage backups' button.

Toggle Documents Backup

Find the 'Documents' folder in the list and toggle the switch to turn on backup. Click 'Save changes' if prompted.

Repeat on Other PCs

Log into your other Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs using the same Microsoft account and repeat these exact steps. The folders will automatically merge in OneDrive.

Enable OneDrive Folder Backup for Documents

Merge Notification: During the setup on subsequent PCs, you may see a prompt indicating that the folders will be merged. Confirm this to combine your files into a single directory.

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1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office Free from the official website and run the installer.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I exclude specific subfolders within the Documents folder from syncing?

No, OneDrive's folder backup feature does not support selective exclusion of subfolders within the Documents folder. You must either back up the entire Documents folder or disable the backup entirely.

Will my files be duplicated when the folders merge?

If files with the exact same name exist in both locations, OneDrive usually syncs both and may append a computer name to one to prevent data loss. Otherwise, uniquely named files are simply combined into the single synced Documents folder.

Can I sync across different operating systems like Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes, as long as you are signed into the same Microsoft account on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, OneDrive will successfully merge and sync the backed-up Documents folders regardless of the Windows version.

What happens if I delete a file from the synced Documents folder on one PC?

Because the folders are synced and merged via OneDrive, deleting a file on one PC will also delete it from OneDrive and all other connected PCs. You can restore it from the OneDrive Recycle Bin if needed.

Document & File Issues