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How to Set Up OneDrive on Windows 11

Richard
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Richard
Nov 23, 2022 Updated Apr 14, 2026 2 min read
How to Set Up OneDrive on Windows 11

This guide shows you how to set up OneDrive on a new computer with Windows 11. OneDrive comes built-in with Windows 11. It helps you keep your files safe in the cloud.

Why use OneDrive?

OneDrive connects your computer to Microsoft’s online storage. This lets you see your files from your phone, tablet, or other computers. It also acts as a backup in case something happens to your PC.

What happens when done?

Once finished, your files will sync automatically. You can edit a document on your computer and see the changes on your other devices. You can also open files even if you do not have an internet connection.

When you get a new computer and OneDrive services are not forcibly disabled, the app is ready to go.

How to set up OneDrive on Windows 11

You can find the app in a few different ways.

1. Open the App

Look at the bottom right of your screen on the Taskbar. Click the little up-arrow icon. Then, click the OneDrive cloud icon. Taskbar or Taskbar overflow menu.

windows 11 onedrive app from taskbar

Alternatively, click the Start button, type “OneDrive,” and click the app to open it.

windows 11 start menu onedrive icon

2. Sign In

Enter your Microsoft email address and password. If you do not have one, you can create one here: How to create a Microsoft account.

windows 11 set up onedrive folder

3. Choose Your Folder

You will see a screen asking where to keep your OneDrive files. Usually, you can just click Next. If you want to put the folder somewhere else, like a different drive, click Change location.

windows 11 onedrive folder location on set up

4. Files On-Demand

Next, you will see a screen about “Files On-Demand.” Files On-Demand This is a great feature. It lets you see all your files without downloading them to your hard drive. This saves a lot of space on your computer.

windows 11 all your files ready and on demand window

5. Finish Up

Click Next on the final screens. You can then click the button to open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer.

windows 11 your onedrive is ready for you

Your files will now show up in File Explorer inside the OneDrive folder.

windows 11 onedrive default folder pane

If you ever want to change which folders sync, right-click the cloud icon in your taskbar. Go to Settings > Account > Choose folders.

onedrive icon on taskbar windows 11

Summary

OneDrive is a tool for syncing your files to the cloud. By setting it up, you ensure your documents are backed up and available on all your devices. You can manage your files through File Explorer and use the Files On-Demand feature to save disk space. Accessing these settings is easy through the taskbar icon.

Reference: Microsoft.com

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Tags: #Windows 11
Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, the owner and lead writer at Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast passionate about simplifying complex IT topics. His years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations have honed his ability to provide practical insights and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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25 responses to “How to Set Up OneDrive on Windows 11”

  14. This setup assumes that I have sufficient space on my computer hard drive to store all the files that I may want to put into OneDrive. In my case, before even starting, I know that I do not have sufficient space on any of my physical hard drives. Yet Windows keeps prompting me to finish the setup when I can’t do that.

    Reply

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