Setting up OneDrive Sync with Local Computer Hard Drive

Instructions for setting up OneDrive to back up files automatically on your local hard drive. NOTE: This creates a special backup folder and only items stored in this backup folder, the "Documents" folder, the "Pictures" folder and files on your desktop will be backed up. Network drive files need to be moved to this folder to be included in the backup.

Note: Instructions provided are from Windows 11. The process for Windows 10 is identical but some UI elements may look a little different. This article outlines the process to set up backup. If you have already backed up your data and need to restore to a new computer, the instructions are identical. It's a little counter-intuitive to back up an empty computer but this is to ensure that any future changes/edits to documents are backed up.

Logging into the OneDrive application

How do you I know if it's done backing up or restoring my files? See this answer for more information (login required).

1. Open the Start menu and search for "OneDrive" or locate "OneDrive" in the menu manually
   
   
    
2. Enter your UW-Platteville email address and click "Sign In"
   
   
    
3. Respond to the Duo prompts. On a personal computer, you will be prompted for your campus email and password prior to getting the Duo prompts.
4. The next screen will indicate where your OneDrive folder will be stored on your local hard drive. In most cases, this value should not be changed. Click "Next".
   
   
    
5. "Documents", "Pictures", and "Desktop" folders are set to back up by default. You can choose the folders you would like backed up and click "Start backup".
   
   Note: If logging in to restore files to a freshly imaged or new computer, you will still select "Start Backup" to sync your files to your computer.
   
   

 

At this point your computer has been configured to back up to your UW-Platteville OneDrive. There are some additional dialog boxes displayed which explain more about how OneDrive works. You can close or dismiss any of these and the backup process will still work.

 

Need help?

If you have questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 608.342.1400 or helpdesk@uwplatt.edu.  You may also visit the Help Desk on the first floor of the Karrmann Library.