This page is a plain language explanation of OneDrive, and why UConn is using it. If you are confused about OneDrive, or how to use it, please give this page a read!
Visit the bottom of this page to view the help guides referenced in this page
oned is part of Microsoft365
formally office
a part of our subscription
the old system
spinning NFS on campus
advantages of oned and cloud services
break
features
no VPN
multiple editors
sharing files
files on-demand && local vs. online
external access
recycle bin
syncing
how it mimics the familiar view of NFS
OneDrive is a part of Microsoft365 (formally formerly Office365), just like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. OneDrive is an internet-based service that can be accessed directly on your computer by installing the OneDrive App. OneDrive can also be accessed through a web browser if you are using someone else’s computer. OneDrive is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. If you are using a Linux computer, like a Chromebook, you can access OneDrive through the browser as there is no official app for Linux. OneDrive is included in the university’s subscription to Microsoft and every university member has 5TB of cloud storage available to them.
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1TB (terabyte) is 1,000GB (gigabytes)*. 1GB is 1,000MB (megabytes)*. For reference: a standard 4-page Word document, without any pictures, is less than .05MB, and you have 5,000,000MB available. *Depending on the computer system, the values above are expressed as either 1,000 or 1,024. This does not affect your usage of OneDrive or your computer. |
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ITS recommends that you “sync” OneDrive with your computer. Doing so will allow your OneDrive files to appear in File Explorer (Windows) and Finder (macOS) as if they were on your computer like any other, non-backed up file. Keep reading the next section to learn more! And remember, “sync”, all of the other terms and situations are fully explained in the help guides on this website. If you feel lost at any point while reading this guide, there’s a help guide that will get you back on course.However, if you are on a public computer, like one at your local library, you can simply use the OneDrive website to have full access to your files. Be sure to log out when you are done!
What does it mean to “sync” my computer?
As mentioned above, OneDrive is an internet-based system. However, following the “sync” process will allow you to access your files without using a web browser. By following the "sync" help guide listed at the bottom of this page, you can have your files appear in File Explorer (Windows) and Finder (macOS). If you’re unsure of what these are: when you’re in any program editing a file and then click “Save As”, a File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) window will appear and let you navigate your folders to find the location in which you would like to save your file. Your OneDrive files will appear in the File Explorer and Finder windows just as your other files do.
When you “sync” your Windows computer, you will be asked if you would like to back up your Documents folder. When
Where does my data actually reside?
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