OneDrive - Local Folder Sync

Owned by Dan Jakubiak
Last updated: Nov 19, 2024
2 min read

UConn Faculty, staff, and students can choose to backup certain existing folders on their computer to OneDrive.

These options often cannot be disabled on University devices; ITS mandates that these devices are backed up. If you need to alter the Desktop setting, see the https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/AIT/pages/26238091386 guide.

Windows

  • Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar notification area at the bottom right corner.

    blue cloud onedrive icon

    1. If the cloud icon is not here, click on the caret to view hidden icons, this opens your System Tray. If the icon is still not here, OneDrive is likely not running; please open OneDrive on your computer.

  • Click on the settings gear at the top of the popup window. Click on Settings.

  • Continue below the MacOS instructions.

MacOS

  • Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in the top menu bar.

  • Click on the settings gear at the top of the popup window. Click on Settings.

  • Continue Below.

Choosing the folders you wish to sync

The best practice is to keep your Desktop clean, organized, and free of private information. When organized, your private/personal information will not be exposed to others looking at your screen.

  1. In the OneDrive Settings window, click Manage backup.

  2. In the popup window, check the boxes of folders you wish to backup. ITS recommends backing up all the folders.

  3. The Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders are specific folders created by your computer and will be synchronized across your computers if you check these boxes.

What does it mean to backup the Desktop?

Although it doesn’t act like it, the Desktop where you lay out all of your icons is a folder. Your computer treats the icons, files, and folders on your desktop as items residing in the Desktop folder. When you backup your Desktop with OneDrive, any items you place on your Desktop on a synchronized computer, will appear on the desktops of your other synchronized computers.

If you have questions about the Desktop backup, check out this guide: https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/AIT/pages/26238091386

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