Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the OneDrive desktop app for older versions of Windows.

This article describes update 4022226 for OneDrive for Business for Microsoft Office 2013 that was released on August 7, 2018. This update has a prerequisite. Be aware that the update in the Microsoft Download Center applies to the Microsoft Installer (.msi)-based edition of Office 2013. How to Download OneDrive for Windows 7? OneDrive is a cloud storage service which allows you to backup photos, videos and important documents to access them from anywhere. You need a Microsoft account to use OneDrive. The OneDrive sync app (OneDrive.exe) can be installed on Windows 7 and later. It can also be installed on macOS. For info about deploying the OneDrive sync app on macOS, see Configure the new OneDrive sync app on macOS. The new OneDrive sync app can be used with SharePoint Server 2019, but not earlier versions of SharePoint Server. OneDrive for PC – Last month Microsoft Corporation was created software named OneDrive, a Compression And Backup app for Windows. This software also compatible with Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 10 / XP64 / Vista64 / Windows 7 64 / Windows 8 64 / Windows 10 64 Operating System.

Notes:

  • If your computer uses Windows 10 - OneDrive is built in, so you shouldn't need to install the desktop app. OneDrive appears automatically in your File Explorer and as a location to save files. For more information, see Sync files with OneDrive in Windows.

  • If you've updated Windows and are not sure which OneDrive version you have or which version you need, see Which OneDrive app?

Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1

Microsoft OneDrive is a secure service that holds up to 5 GB of saved files for users for free. These saved files won’t be gone if a device is lost or stolen, and can be downloaded back onto a new device easily. I think I have a similar situation: a desktop PC running Windows 7 and a tablet with Windows 8. This 'online-only' feature is great for tablets with their limited storage. Unfortunately this is not available in Windows 7. On the other hand, since it is a desktop PC, buying a large hard drive is not a big deal since they are really cheap lately.

If your computer has Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, OneDrive desktop app is already built in. (So OneDrive desktop app Setup won't appear if you try to install it.) A setting is installed that lets you use Office to work on OneDrive documents with other people at the same time, but no other features are installed.

For more information about OneDrive in Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, see OneDrive Help for Windows 8.1.

Windows 7 and older

Note: The OneDrive app isn’t supported on Windows XP. If you try to install it on a PC running Windows XP, you'll get the message 'OneDriveSetup.exe is not a valid Win32 application.' OneDrive System Requirements

Downloading the app means you agree to the Microsoft Services Agreement and privacy statement. This software might also download and install its updates automatically.

What does the OneDrive folder do?

When you install OneDrive for Windows, a copy of your OneDrive is downloaded to your PC and put in the OneDrive folder. This folder is kept in sync with OneDrive. If you add, change, or delete a file or folder on the OneDrive website, the file or folder is added, changed, or deleted in your OneDrive folder and vice versa.

For more information, see Upload photos and files to OneDrive.

You can also use File Explorer to rename and delete files, create new folders, and move files around in your OneDrive folder. The changes will automatically be made in OneDrive and your other computers that have the OneDrive app installed.

Tip: If you use a lot of storage space in OneDrive, it might take a long time to download all your files when you first install the OneDrive app. For tips on maximizing the transfer speed, see Maximize upload and download speed.

How can I add and remove PCs from OneDrive?

When you install the OneDrive desktop app for Windows on a PC, that PC appears on the OneDrive website, in the left pane under PCs. This is how you can access the PC's files and folders that aren’t saved in your OneDrive folder. When you browse a PC remotely, you might be asked to enter a verification code. To remove a PC from OneDrive, go to the OneDrive website, select the PC, and then select Remove PC.

For more info about using the Fetch files feature to access files remotely, see Use OneDrive to fetch files on a PC.

Do I have to install the OneDrive app on all my computers (PC and Mac)?

No. If you don't want to keep all the files in your OneDrive on a computer, you can still work with your OneDrive on that computer by going to the OneDrive website. You can't fetch a PC's files unless you install OneDrive on that PC.

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Can I choose other folders to sync besides the OneDrive folder?

You can't choose other folders to sync, but you can redirect certain folders such as your Desktop and folders in libraries to your OneDrive folder. You can also add subfolders from your OneDrive folder to libraries to make them easier to work with in File Explorer. For example, if you have a folder of vacation photos in OneDrive, you can include it in the Pictures library in Windows 7 or Windows 8. To learn how to do this, see Include folders in a library.

To redirect a folder to your OneDrive folder

  1. Close OneDrive by right-clicking the OneDrive icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, and then clicking Exit. (You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon.)

  2. Create a subfolder for the redirected files in your OneDrive folder. For example, to redirect the My Pictures folder, you might create a folder in OneDrive called 'Pictures.'

  3. Right-click the folder you want to redirect ('My Pictures' in this example), and then click Properties.

  4. Click the Location tab, and then click Move.

  5. Browse to the location where you want to redirect this folder (for example, %userprofile%OneDrivePictures).

  6. Click Select Folder, and then click OK.

  7. In the dialog box that appears, click Yes to move all the files to the new location.

  8. Restart the OneDrive service. To do this, click the Start button, enter OneDrive in the search box, and then click MicrosoftOneDrive.

Can I change the name or location of my OneDrive folder after it's created?

You can only change the location. For more information, see Change the location of your OneDrive folder.

Can I choose folders in my OneDrive that I don't want to sync on my PC?

Yes. When you first set up OneDrive, click Choose folders to sync. If you didn't do this when you set up OneDrive, you can do it in Settings. For more information, see Choose which OneDrive folders to sync to your computer.

Note: You can't choose individual files you want to sync, and you can't choose to sync files or folders shared with you.

Can I change the account I use with OneDrive?

You can change the account you use with OneDrive, but you can't use the folder with multiple accounts at the same time.

To change the account you use with OneDrive:

  1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar. (You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow next to the notification area to see the icon.)

  2. On the Settings tab, click Unlink OneDrive.

  3. Restart OneDrive and sign in with the account you want to use. You'll need to select the location for your OneDrive folder again. If you select the same location, the folders for both accounts will be merged. If the PC had the Fetch files feature turned on, you'll need to turn it on again.

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Can I recover files or folders I deleted?

Yes, you can restore deleted files or folders in OneDrive.

Something in my OneDrive folder isn't syncing with OneDrive. How can I view more info about the problem?

For help with sync problems, see Fix OneDrive sync problems.

How do I uninstall the OneDrive app?

If you uninstall the OneDrive desktop app from your PC, your OneDrive folder will stop syncing. The OneDrive folder and your files in OneDrive won't be deleted. For more information, see Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive.

Need more help?

Get online help
See more support pages for OneDrive and OneDrive for Business.
For the OneDrive mobile app, see Troubleshoot OneDrive mobile app problems.

Email support
If you still need help, shake your mobile device while you're in the OneDrive app or email the OneDrive support team. To contact OneDrive for Business support from your PC or Mac, select the OneDrive icon in the notification area or menu bar, then select More > Send feedback > I don't like something.

OneDrive for Business Admins can also view the OneDrive for Business Tech Community, Help for OneDrive for Business Admins, or contact Office 365 for business support.

Tips
Letting us know your location may help us resolve your issue more quickly.

All fixed? If you contacted us and OneDrive starts working again, please let us know by replying to the email we sent you.

If you've been using Windows 7 and you get a new PC, you probably have a lot of files that you want to move to the new PC--more than you can easily transfer on a USB thumb drive. By using OneDrive, you can quickly set up your new PC, so your files are organized like they were on your old PC and you can get right back to work.

Storing your files in OneDrive has other benefits, too:

  • You can get to your files from other devices. You can view and edit your files from the OneDrive mobile app for Android or OneDrive for iOS. You can also use any computer to go the OneDrive website and sign in to access your files.

    Note: The Google Play store and the OneDrive app for Android aren't available in China. Also, because OneDrive.com is blocked in China by the government firewall, the OneDrive app won't work in China when you sign in with a Microsoft account.

  • If your new PC is ever lost or damaged, your files will still be backed up and protected in the cloud.

Install and set up OneDrive on your Windows 7 PC

A Microsoft account comes with 5 GB of OneDrive storage. You can subscribe to Office 365 and get 1 TB of storage per person. Compare plans

  1. Install the Windows version of the new OneDrive sync app.

    Notes:

    • If you have Office 365, or Office 2016, you already have the OneDrive sync app. To check if it's installed, click the Start button and search for OneDrive.

  2. Start OneDrive Setup.

  3. If you don't have a Microsoft account, sign up for one. It's free, and gives you access to OneDrive, Skype, Office for the web, and more. You can use your current email address or phone number, or create a new Outlook.com email address. More info about Microsoft accounts

  4. Follow the steps that appear on the screen until OneDrive Setup is finished.

  5. Note: If you have a lot of large files on your Windows 7 PC, we recommend that you follow the next steps when you have the fastest possible internet connection. For example, connect to a wired connection instead of wireless if possible, and pick a time of day when other people in your household aren't transferring a lot of data over your Internet connection.

    In the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, right-click the OneDrive white cloud icon, and then click Settings.

    (You might need to select the Show hidden icons arrow ( ) next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon.)

  6. On the Backup tab, click Manage backup.

    Note: If you are using an older version of OneDrive, the tab will be named AutoSave.

  7. In the Back up your folders dialog box, select all the folders that have files you want to move to your new PC.

  8. Select Start backup (or in older versions of OneDrive, select Start protection).

  9. If you have files outside of your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders that you want to move to your new PC, use Windows Explorer. Press Windows key +E to open Windows Explorer and browse to the folders you want to move. Drag them to OneDrive in the left pane.

  10. In the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, hover over the OneDrive white cloud icon to check the status of the files uploading to OneDrive.

    Important: Make sure that you keep your PC connected to the Internet until all your files are finished uploading and the cloud icon says 'Up to date.' If an error appears, click the cloud icon for more info about what went wrong and how to fix it.

Set up your new PC

If you haven't yet set up your new PC, follow the steps that appear on the screens to complete Windows setup, making sure you connect the PC to the Internet during the process. When prompted, sign in with the same Microsoft account you used to set up OneDrive on your Windows 7 PC.

Download Onedrive Client For Windows 7

If you click Next all the way through Windows setup, including on the 'Protect your files with OneDrive' screen, you'll be able to browse your files in File Explorer after setup finishes. The files from your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders on your Windows 7 computer will appear automatically in those locations on your Windows 10 computer.

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For more information about OneDrive in Windows Setup, see Files save to OneDrive by default in Windows 10.

Download Onedrive For Windows 10

Important: Before you recycle your old PC, use the new PC for a while to make sure you haven't forgotten any files that you wanted to move.

If you don't see your files in File Explorer on your Windows 10 computer, you might need to turn on OneDrive Backup.

Turn on OneDrive Backup

Follow these steps to make sure OneDrive is running and syncing your files.

  1. Select the white OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.

    Notes:

    • If you see a gray OneDrive cloud icon (instead of a white one), click the gray cloud and sign in to OneDrive with the same email address you used for OneDrive on your Windows 7 PC.

    • You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon. If the icon doesn't appear in the notification area, OneDrive might not be running. Select Start, type OneDrive in the search box, and then select OneDrive in the search results.

  2. Select More > Settings.

  3. In OneDrive Settings, select Backup > Manage backup.

  4. In the Back up your folders dialog box, make sure the folders that you want to back up are selected.

  5. Select Start backup.

  6. You can close the dialog box while your files sync to OneDrive. Or, to watch your files sync, select View upload progress. If you already closed the dialog box, select the cloud in the notification area to open the OneDrive activity center.

OneDrive has a feature called Files On-Demand that lets you browse your OneDrive files in File Explorer without actually downloading them to your PC. If you want to make sure that a file or folder is available on your device even when you're working offline, right-click it and select Always keep on this device. Learn about Files On-Demand.

Onedrive Free Download For Windows 7

Need more help?

Get Onedrive For Windows 7

Get online help
See more support pages for OneDrive and OneDrive for Business.
For the OneDrive mobile app, see Troubleshoot OneDrive mobile app problems.

Email support
If you still need help, shake your mobile device while you're in the OneDrive app or email the OneDrive support team. To contact OneDrive for Business support from your PC or Mac, select the OneDrive icon in the notification area or menu bar, then select More > Send feedback > I don't like something.

OneDrive for Business Admins can also view the OneDrive for Business Tech Community, Help for OneDrive for Business Admins, or contact Office 365 for business support.

Tips
Letting us know your location may help us resolve your issue more quickly.

All fixed? If you contacted us and OneDrive starts working again, please let us know by replying to the email we sent you.