However, it can be frustrating to have to navigate to the website on your PC or laptop each time, particularly when your locally stored files are in a completely different place. It doesn’t have to be that way though – here’s how to add OneDrive to File Explorer in Windows and Finder on macOS.
How to add OneDrive to File Explorer
OneDrive usually comes pre-installed on Windows 10 PCs, but if it’s not on your device for any reason you can download it from the Microsoft website. Click the download file to install it, and after a few seconds, you should see it appear in File Explorer.
If you’re already signed in to your Microsoft account on the device, clicking ‘OneDrive’ will display all those in your cloud storage account. If not, you’ll be prompted to sign in when clicking on it for the first time.
The key difference you’ll notice between this and locally-stored files is the ‘Status’ indicator. A cloud icon indicates it’s stored in the cloud and will only be downloaded for offline use when you move or open it. At that point, the status indicator will change to a green tick. A smaller icon next to either of these indicates the file has been shared with someone, and any changes you make will also appear for them.
You are free to move files around as you please, although any changes you make will be applied across all your devices. If you’re offline at the time, they’ll be made the next time you have an active internet connection.
How to add OneDrive to Finder
Although Microsoft and Apple don’t always play nicely, it’s relatively easy to add OneDrive to Finder.
Download OneDrive for Mac from the Microsoft website, or install it from the Mac App StoreInstall the download file like you would any third-party software. You’ll probably have to enter your password to do thisHead to your list of applications and open the OneDrive ‘app’You’ll be prompted to sign in to your account, if you haven’t alreadyYou should now see a OneDrive icon in the menu bar at the top, and a new OneDrive tab in Finder
The same options as Windows are here, with indicators if files are only stored locally, in the cloud or in the process of being synced (clockwise arrows).
See how OneDrive stacks up to the competition in our guide to the best cloud storage services.
As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.
