Office Compatibility Issues

How to Restore the OneDrive Upload and Link Option in OneNote

Jason Miller Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is looking to restore a specific feature that allows uploading a file directly to OneDrive and inserting a link, which disappeared after a OneNote application change.

How to Restore the OneDrive Upload and Link Option in OneNote

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to attach a file to a OneNote page by uploading it to OneDrive and inserting a cloud link, but finding the feature missing in the current version.
Observed behavior: The upload-and-link option is missing because the user switched from OneNote for Windows 10 to the standard Office desktop version of OneNote, which has a different interface and feature set.

Before you start

Check which version of OneNote you are currently using by looking for a 'File' menu at the top left of the application; if you see one, you are using the standard Office version rather than OneNote for Windows 10.

Solution 1Recommended

Install and Use OneNote for Windows 10

The upload-and-link feature is exclusive to OneNote for Windows 10. Switching back to this application will immediately restore your desired functionality.

Microsoft provides two distinct desktop applications for OneNote: the standard Office version (which includes a File menu) and OneNote for Windows 10 (which does not). The feature to directly upload a file to OneDrive and insert it as a link is natively built into OneNote for Windows 10 but is handled differently in the Office version. To get the exact feature back, you simply need to use the Windows 10 version.

Open the Microsoft Store

Click the Start button on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 taskbar, type 'Microsoft Store', and press Enter to open the storefront.

Search for OneNote for Windows 10

In the search bar at the top of the Microsoft Store, type 'OneNote for Windows 10' and select it from the dropdown. Be careful not to select the standard 'OneNote' app.

Download and Install

Click the 'Get' or 'Install' button to download the application to your computer. Wait for the installation to complete.

Launch and Verify

Open OneNote for Windows 10, sign in with your Microsoft account, and try attaching a file. You will now see the option to upload the file to OneDrive and insert a link.

Windows 11 Compatibility: Even though it is named 'OneNote for Windows 10', this application is fully compatible with and can be installed on Windows 11 devices without any issues.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Cloud Syncing

Dealing with multiple versions of Microsoft Office applications can be confusing. WPS Office provides an all-in-one, lightweight alternative with built-in cloud storage integration, making it incredibly easy to sync files, upload documents, and share links across all your devices without worrying about software version discrepancies.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your PC.
2. Save to Cloud: Open any document and easily save it to the built-in WPS Cloud with one click.
3. Share via Link: Click the 'Share' button in the top right corner to instantly generate a secure cloud link you can paste anywhere.

Unified all-in-one suite without confusing application version differencesBuilt-in WPS Cloud integration for effortless file uploading and link sharingFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsFree, lightweight, and incredibly easy to set up on any Windows device

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the upload to OneDrive and link option suddenly disappear?

This usually happens when you install or update the standard Microsoft Office suite, which installs the standard Office desktop version of OneNote. This version often replaces or takes priority over OneNote for Windows 10, bringing a different user interface that lacks the direct upload-and-link button.

Can I have both versions of OneNote installed on my computer at the same time?

Yes. You can install both the standard Office version of OneNote and OneNote for Windows 10 simultaneously on the same computer. You can sign into both with the same Microsoft account and your notes will sync across both applications.

How do I know which version of OneNote I am currently using?

Look at the ribbon interface at the top of the application. If there is a 'File' menu tab on the far left, you are using the standard Office desktop version. If there is no 'File' menu, you are using OneNote for Windows 10.

Office App Problems