How to Set Up and Use OneDrive on Windows
OneDrive is Microsoft's free cloud storage built into Windows. Learn how to set it up and automatically back up your files.
3 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Sign in to OneDrive
Click the white or blue cloud icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar (near the clock). If you don't see it, click the small up-arrow (^) first to show hidden icons. A window will ask you to sign in — use your Microsoft account email and password. If you don't have a Microsoft account, you can create one free at account.microsoft.com.
Quick Tip
Your Microsoft account is the same one you use for Windows sign-in, Outlook email, or Xbox. You likely already have one.
Step 2. Choose what to back up
Once signed in, OneDrive may ask which folders to back up automatically. Your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders are the most important. Check the boxes next to each one and click "Start backup." From now on, anything you save to those folders will automatically copy to the cloud.
Quick Tip
Backing up your Desktop and Documents folders protects the files you work with every day without changing anything about how you use your computer.
Step 3. Find your OneDrive folder
Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar). In the left sidebar, you'll see "OneDrive" listed — click it to open the folder. Any file or folder you drag into here will be saved to the cloud. Files with a green checkmark are backed up. Files with a blue circle are still uploading.
Step 4. Access your files from anywhere
To reach your files from another device or a web browser, go to onedrive.live.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. You'll see all your backed-up files and folders. You can view, download, or share anything stored there.
Quick Tip
Quick Tip: Install the OneDrive app on your iPhone or Android phone to access and upload files directly from your phone camera.
Step 5. Share a file with someone
Right-click any file in your OneDrive folder and choose "Share." Type the email address of the person you want to share with and click Send. They'll get a link to view or edit the file — no need to email large attachments.
Warning
When sharing, make sure the permission is set to "Can view" unless you actually want the other person to edit your document.
OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service — and if you have a Windows computer, it's already installed. Think of it as a folder on your computer that also lives on the internet. When you save something to OneDrive, it stays on your PC and a copy goes to the cloud automatically. That means if your computer breaks, gets stolen, or stops working, your files are safe online and you can get to them from any other device.
Every Microsoft account comes with 5 gigabytes of free OneDrive storage — that's enough for thousands of documents, photos, and spreadsheets. You can access your files from a phone, tablet, another computer, or a web browser. Files you put in OneDrive also sync across all your devices, so if you save a document on your laptop, you'll find it on your tablet too.
Setting up OneDrive takes about five minutes, and once it's running you usually don't need to think about it. This guide walks you through getting started, what to store there, and how to find your files when you need them.
Official sources
- Microsoft Support — support.microsoft.com
- Windows Help — support.microsoft.com
- Microsoft 365 Help — support.microsoft.com
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