How to Change the location of your OneDrive folder

Step 1Disconnect Your Current OneDrive Link

Unlinking the computer from OneDrive is the necessary first step before changing the folder location. This pauses syncing with the cloud temporarily without deleting any files. Look for the small OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray 🔔, usually nestled near the bottom-right clock, to begin this process.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Find the OneDrive Cloud Icon: Look for the small blue (or sometimes white) cloud icon in your system tray 🔔. This is usually in the bottom-right corner of your screen, near the clock. If you don’t see it, you might need to click the small arrow pointing up to show hidden icons.
   
2. Open OneDrive Settings: Click the cloud icon. A small window will appear. In this window, look for the “Help and Settings” icon. It often looks like a gear or a question mark. Click it, then choose “Settings” from the menu.
   
3. Go to the Account Tab: Once the OneDrive settings window opens, you’ll see a few tabs across the top. Click the “Account” tab.
   
4. Unlink Your PC: On the Account tab, find the option that says “Unlink this PC.” Click it. A box will pop up asking if you’re sure. Click “Unlink account” to confirm.
   

Step 2Move Your OneDrive Folder

With the PC unlinked, relocate the actual OneDrive folder to a new spot using Windows File Explorer 📁 (the built-in file management tool). Cut and paste the entire OneDrive folder to the desired drive or directory. This makes sure all documents and data move safely.

Windows File Explorer handles cutting and pasting files. This program lets users view and manage computer files and folders.

1. Open File Explorer: Click the folder icon on your taskbar, or press the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
   
2. Find Your Current OneDrive Folder: By default, your OneDrive folder is usually found in your user profile. It might look like this:
   C:\Users\YourUsername\OneDrive
   Go to this folder.
   
3. Cut and Paste (or Drag and Drop): Select the entire OneDrive folder. You can then right-click on it and choose "Cut." Go to the new location you want (like
   D:\MyCloudFiles\OneDrive
   or a folder on a different drive). Right-click in the new spot and choose "Paste." You can also just click and drag the whole OneDrive folder to its new destination.

Step 3Connect OneDrive to Its New Location

After moving the OneDrive folder to its new location, the OneDrive app needs the new address. Restart the setup process by searching for 'OneDrive' in Windows to reconnect the service. The application guides users through selecting a folder location, pointing the OneDrive app to the new directory.

1. Start OneDrive Setup: If you closed the OneDrive setup window earlier, you might need to find it again. Sometimes, after unlinking, Windows will automatically offer to set up OneDrive again. If not, search for "OneDrive" in the Windows search bar and open it.
   
2. Sign In: You'll be asked for your Microsoft account email and password. Sign in like you normally do.
   
3. Find the Location Screen: As you go through the setup, you'll reach a screen showing where OneDrive wants to create its folder by default. This is the important part!
   
4. Change the Location: Look for an option that says "Change location." Click it.
   
5. Select Your New Folder: A window will open for browsing. Go to the exact folder where you moved your OneDrive files in Step 2. For example, if you moved it to
   D:\MyCloudFiles\OneDrive
   , select that
   OneDrive
   folder.
   
6. Confirm and Finish: After selecting the new folder, click "OK." You'll probably see a message saying the folder you chose already has files. This is what we want! Click "Use this location" (or a similar button).
   
7. Complete Setup: Finish any other setup steps. OneDrive will now look at the files in your new location and start syncing any changes.
   

OneDrive compares cloud files with files in the new local folder upon reconnection. Previously selected folders for syncing require re-selection during setup. Skipping this step triggers a large download of all cloud files again, which wastes bandwidth.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/onedrive/change-the-location-of-your-onedrive-folder

Summary

Changing the OneDrive folder location involves three main steps. First, unlink the PC from the current OneDrive account. Second, use File Explorer to move the entire OneDrive folder to a new drive or directory. Finally, reconnect OneDrive to the application, pointing it to the new folder location to ensure proper syncing.

• First, unlink your PC from OneDrive through its settings. Your files remain safe in the cloud.
• Next, use File Explorer to move your entire OneDrive folder from its old location to your desired new location.
• Finally, start the OneDrive setup again, sign in, and choose the "Change location" option to point OneDrive to the folder you just moved.