What is OneDrive?
Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud file storage service included in UConn’s Microsoft 365 licensing. Students, faculty, and staff can use OneDrive by signing into Microsoft 365. With OneDrive, you can save, share, request, and edit files on any device with an internet connection. When you upload a file to OneDrive it is only accessible to you by default. You can choose to share files with others to collaborate or view.
A VPN is not required to access OneDrive.
When students graduate or when faculty/staff separate from the organization, they will lose access to their OneDrive files.
Students should be sure to download any data they wish to keep before leaving UConn.
Accessing OneDrive
Set Up OneDrive on a Computer Open OneDrive in a Browser Recover Deleted Folders/Files from OneDrive
You can access OneDrive on your university and personal computers/devices. You can also access OneDrive through a web browser without the need to install software.
ITS recommends installing the OneDrive application on your devices to have the most seamless experience. When the application is installed, your backed up files will appear within File Explorer (Windows) and Finder (MacOS) just as your non-backed up files do; there is no need to visit the website to access your files.
When accessing OneDrive through the browser, files will need to be manually downloaded and re-uploaded. Using the browser is recommended when using a public computer (one that you do not own, ex. a friend’s laptop).
Sharing Files and Collaborating in Real-Time
Share OneDrive Files Within Microsoft365 Apps
When files for Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel are saved on OneDrive, you can simultaneously edit documents with others at the same time.
Files added to OneDrive are private by default. If you work with departmental files, use SharePoint instead.
SharePoint runs on the OneDrive platform, however all files saved to a SharePoint are, by default, accessible to all the members of the SharePoint (your department). If you are interested in using SharePoint, you may visit the guides here: SharePoint
Requesting Files
You can request files from people who are either part of, or external to, the university. The request recipient receives an email containing a link to a secure upload portal linked to a folder within your OneDrive account.
Version History
Version History for Files in OneDrive
Files saved on OneDrive include a version history that saves the past 500 changes. To learn more about “version history” and how OneDrive handles “versions”, please visit the guide above.