Adding files to OneDrive Manually

1 Introduction
2 Moving files to the OneDrive folder

Please note that this guide will only work with Microsoft Windows. If you have a Macintosh computer please contact the HelpDesk at ext. 5555 for assistance.

Introduction

Once you have signed into OneDrive and have it set up on your PC you are ready to start using it. We highly recommend using the PC Backup setting to automatically add all of your Desktop, Documents, and Photos folders to OneDrive but if desired you can add files to OneDrive manually by following this guide. This guide is also for moving any file or folder to OneDrive that is outside of your PC’s backed up Desktop, Documents, and Photos folders.

Moving files to the OneDrive folder

To begin open two File Explorer windows and place them side by side. You can do this by opening one File Explorer window by clicking the icon in the taskbar (seen below) and then right-clicking on the same icon and selecting File Explorer from the list (or just use the keyboard shortcut WIN+E twice).

In one window navigate to the documents you want to add to OneDrive (I will be moving some files in the downloads folder as an example) and in the other open your newly set up OneDrive folder.

Now we will begin moving the files to the new OneDrive folder. To do this you will want to select the files you want to move, and then either click and drag them over to the OneDrive folder or right-click on them, select Cut and then Paste them in the OneDrive folder.

Once you have moved the files and folders they will start to upload/sync to OneDrive. If you moved a large amount of files this step will take a fair amount of time. While waiting you can continue to use the computer for normal tasks as it syncs. You can track the sync progress and confirm that it is done using this guide: Monitoring OneDrive Sync Progress & Troubleshooting.