Access and navigate OneDrive desktop application on Windows


The OneDrive desktop application can be used to synchronize files between your computer and OneDrive.

Access OneDrive for Windows

Note: If you have Windows 10, OneDrive is already installed on your PC. If you're using another version of Windows, install OneDrive from Microsoft to get started.

  1. Open the application by searching for it in the finder (magnifying icon at the bottom left corner), type in OneDrive and click on Open.

    OneDrive app search

  2. Log in with your University of Toronto credentials. You will only need to do this once to set up the drive.
  3. In File Explorer, select OneDrive – University of Toronto.

    File explorer

Navigate OneDrive for Windows

  1. On the lower right-hand corner, you will find a blue cloud icon. Click on it.

    OneDrive panel

    • Note that if you do not see the icon, you need to initiate the app by searching for and opening it (step 2 above).
  2. Default view: The main view shows your recently edited files.
  3. Open folder: Select Open folder to view OneDrive in your File Finder.
  4. View online: Select View online to open OneDrive online.
  5. Recycle bin: Redirects you to the OneDrive recycle bin online in case you would like to recover files or delete files pernamentaly.
  6. Settings: Select the Settings gear icon to view additional options. Pay attention to:

    Settings dropdown

    • Settings: Explore settings to optimize your OneDrive options.
    • Pause syncing: You can use this to pause syncing, but not that changes to files in one location will not be reflected in the other location until syncing is unpaused.
    • Quit OneDrive: If you select this item, OneDrive will not sync in the background.

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