OneDrive comes built into Windows 10, so on most PCs it is already installed and just needs to be signed in. If it was removed, never set up, or is broken, you can install it again in a few minutes from Microsoft. This guide shows how to check whether OneDrive is already on your PC, how to install or reinstall it, and how to set it up so your files sync.
Quick answer
Click Start and type OneDrive. If the app appears, open it and sign in. If it does not, download the OneDrive installer from Microsoft’s official OneDrive download page (or install it from the Microsoft Store), run OneDriveSetup.exe, and sign in with your Microsoft account.
Step 1: Check whether OneDrive is already installed
- Click Start and type OneDrive.
- If OneDrive appears as an app, it is installed. Open it and skip to Step 3.
- Also look for the cloud icon in the system tray at the bottom right. A gray cloud means OneDrive is installed but not signed in; no icon may mean it is not running.
Step 2: Install or reinstall OneDrive
Option A: Download from Microsoft
- Open your browser and go to Microsoft’s official OneDrive download page (search “download OneDrive” and choose the microsoft.com result).
- Click Download for Windows.
- Open the downloaded OneDriveSetup.exe file and follow the prompts.
Option B: Microsoft Store
Open the Microsoft Store, search for OneDrive, and click Get or Install.
Option C: Command line
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run winget install Microsoft.OneDrive. This is handy for setting up several PCs.
Always download OneDrive from Microsoft. Copies from third-party download sites may be outdated or bundled with unwanted software.
Step 3: Sign in and set up
- Open OneDrive from the Start menu.
- Enter the email address for your Microsoft account (or work or school account) and click Sign in.
- Enter your password or approve the sign-in on your phone.
- Note the OneDrive folder location. Click Change location if you want it on another drive.
- Choose whether to back up your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders to OneDrive.
- Click through the remaining screens and choose Open my OneDrive folder.
For sign-in help, see how to sign into OneDrive on Windows 10, and if sign-in fails, try the steps in fixing OneDrive sign-in issues.
Step 4: Check that files are syncing
Open File Explorer. OneDrive appears in the left pane. Status icons next to files show their state: a blue cloud means the file is online-only, a green check means it is on your PC, and circling arrows mean it is syncing. Right-click any file and choose Always keep on this device to keep a local copy. If OneDrive is missing from File Explorer, see how to add OneDrive to File Explorer.
Free storage and plans
A free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage. Microsoft 365 subscriptions include much more. Check your usage by clicking the OneDrive cloud icon and choosing Settings > Account.
Troubleshooting
- Setup says a newer version is installed: OneDrive is already on the PC; open it from Start.
- OneDrive will not start: press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset, press Enter, then open OneDrive again from Start.
- Installed for one user only: each Windows user account signs in to OneDrive separately.
- Work PC: your IT department may manage OneDrive installation and settings.
Related: Move files to OneDrive on Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Is OneDrive free?
Yes. The app is free and every Microsoft account includes free storage. You only pay if you need more space through Microsoft 365 or a standalone storage plan.
Will reinstalling OneDrive delete my files?
No. Your files are stored in your OneDrive account online. After you sign in again, they reappear in the OneDrive folder. Files that were only on your PC and not yet synced stay in the old OneDrive folder.
Does OneDrive still work on Windows 10?
Yes, for now. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, and Microsoft may eventually stop updating OneDrive for it, so plan to move to Windows 11 when you can.
Can I use OneDrive without installing the app?
Yes. Sign in at onedrive.com in any browser to upload, download and share files. The app is what keeps a folder on your PC in sync automatically.
Summary
- Search Start for OneDrive to see if it is already installed.
- If not, install it from Microsoft’s website, the Microsoft Store or winget.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account and choose your folder and backup options.
- Check File Explorer to confirm files are syncing.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.