Skip to end of metadata
Go to start of metadata

You are viewing an old version of this page. View the current version.

Compare with Current View Page History

Version 1 Current »

Windows comes pre-installed with the “OneDrive” app which allows accessing your personal OneDrive files as well as shared files from SharePoint sites in the Windows file explorer. This makes working with files much easier than using the OneDrive/SharePoint interface in the web browser.

Sign in to OneDrive

  1. Start the OneDrive app by searching “onedrive” in the start menu.


    If nothing opens up, the OneDrive App may already be running. Look for a cloud icon in the system tray (bottom right corner of the screen, near the system clock). You may need to click the up arrow to show all icons.

  2. Enter your email address and click Sign In

  3. Enter your password and click Sign In and approve the Multi-Factor authentication.

  4. Follow the prompts to complete the setup

  5. Keep an eye on the cloud icon in the system tray (bottom right corner of the screen, near the system clock). OneDrive will require you to re-authenticate on a monthly basis as well as when a password is changed. A red cross over the cloud icon indicates there is user intervention required.

Accessing Personal OneDrive Files

After signing into OneDrive, your personal files will be available in File Exploere under “OneDrive - NIDA”

Syncing Shared SharePoint files

As well as syncing personal OneDrive files, the OneDrive app can sync shared SharePoint files (such as department shared drives).

Synced SharePoint document libraries/folders will show up in the file explorer as “NIDA” next to a building icon.

Syncing from SharePoint

From any SharePoint document library, click the Sync button to get OneDrive to sync the document library or folder.

Syncing from Teams

From any Teams site Files, click the Sync button to get OneDrive to sync the site

Removing sync

If you wish to stop a certain SharePoint site from syncing:

  1. Click on the OneDrive in the system tray (bottom right corner of the screen, near the system clock)
    Then click on the cog icon followed by the “Settings” menu item.

  2. Click on the “Account” tab and then click “Stop sync” against the SharePoint location which you want to stop syncing.

Add SharePoint Shortcut to OneDrive

Another supported feature is to add a shortcut to a SharePoint document library/folder to your personal OneDrive. Clicking the “Add shortcut to OneDrive” button from SharePoint will add a shortcut link to your personal OneDrive.

SharePoint shortcuts will have a chain icon infront of a standard folder icon. You are free to move this shortcut anywhere in your OneDrive, as well as rename it.

You cannot simultaneously sync and create a shortcut to a single SharePoint folder. If you want to change sync/shortcut, you must un-sync or remove the shortcut to the conflict prior to switching.

Pros

Cons

  • Shortcuts are available in the OneDrive browser interface as well as the desktop file explorer

  • Shortcuts will always automatically be available even when signing in to a new computer

  • Harder to differentiate between files stored in your personal OneDrive and in a shared SharePoint folder

  • You are forced to sync all files you have created shortcuts to on every computer you sign OneDrive into. Sync will be significantly slower if there are a huge number of files in these sites

Removing Shortcuts

Right click on the shortcut and select “Remove Shortcut”

  • No labels