Change OneDrive Folder Location in Windows 10 - Easy Guide
Relocating Your OneDrive Folder: A Comprehensive Guide
OneDrive is a complimentary cloud storage solution provided with Windows operating systems or Office 365 subscriptions. It is seamlessly incorporated into the Windows environment and Office suite.
However, users may find it necessary to transfer the OneDrive folder to an alternative drive.
Why Move Your OneDrive Folder?
The OneDrive folder, particularly after extensive synchronization of files, can consume a significant amount of disk space. If your computer features a secondary, larger hard drive, relocating the OneDrive folder can be a practical solution.
Consider the necessity of the move carefully. Relocation should only be undertaken if there is a genuine requirement to do so.
Assessing the Need for Relocation
Before initiating the transfer process, evaluate whether moving the OneDrive folder is truly beneficial.
- A primary reason is to free up space on your primary hard drive.
- Another valid reason is to improve performance if your primary drive is slow.
Moving the folder without a clear purpose may not yield noticeable improvements.
Ensure you have sufficient space on the destination drive before proceeding with the move.
Relocating Your OneDrive Folder
To begin the process of changing the OneDrive folder’s location, locate the OneDrive icon within the System Tray. Right-click this icon and choose “Settings” from the context menu. If the icon isn’t immediately visible, it may be hidden; click the upward-pointing arrow to reveal concealed icons, including OneDrive.
The OneDrive Settings dialog will then appear. Within the available options, select “Unlink OneDrive” to disconnect your account.
Upon selecting this option, you will be presented with the OneDrive welcome screen, featuring a “Get started” button.
Prior to reconfiguring your settings, it’s advisable to move the existing contents of your OneDrive folder. This action helps conserve bandwidth by avoiding re-synchronization of already synced files.
Launch File Explorer and navigate to the current OneDrive folder, typically found at C:\Users\<your username>\OneDrive. Select the folder, then within the explorer ribbon, click “Home” and choose “Move to > Choose location.”
Select the desired destination folder for your OneDrive files. Consider that using an external drive requires it to remain consistently connected, which may not be ideal.
Return to the OneDrive setup screen and select “Get started” once more. Re-enter your OneDrive credentials. During the sign-in process, OneDrive will prompt you to choose a location for your folders, pre-selecting your User folder. Instead, click “Change” and navigate to the folder you previously selected.
After relocating the OneDrive folder, it will adopt the permissions of its new parent folder or drive. It is crucial to review and update Windows user permissions for the new OneDrive folder to ensure appropriate access control.
Furthermore, OneDrive offers a selective sync feature. This allows you to choose which folders are synchronized, rather than syncing the entire OneDrive content, providing greater control over local storage.
Understanding Selective Sync
- You can choose to sync all files and folders.
- Alternatively, you can select specific folders for local availability.
- This feature is useful for managing storage space and bandwidth usage.
