How to Sync Desktop to OneDrive Easily

Amy Dennis

Jan 27, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

When you buy a Windows computer, you get a set of default folders with each account, which helps in file organization. They include; documents, music, videos, desktop, downloads, and photos. Windows 10 comes with an additional folder known as OneDrive. With the OneDrive folder, your locally synced files are stored securely and updated automatically.

As a user, it is no longer convenient to manually backup desktop. With OneDrive desktop, you do not have to do this. Your desktop is automatically synced to the OneDrive cloud. Below are instructions on how you can securely store and backup your files in the cloud by moving your desktop to OneDrive.

Part 1: Why do You need to Sync Desktop to OneDrive?

Besides being able to access your files from different browsers via the OneDrive website when you sync your desktop to OneDrive, there are other benefits. All the files stored in the default folders are also backed up in the cloud. Also, your important files are not only synced in multiple devices, but they are also organized. This is as long as configurations are similar in these devices.

1. To Keep the Desktop Data Safe

A lot of people store the folders that they use regularly on the desktop. This is for easy access whenever needed. This is not a safe way to store important data. Thus, it is one reason that users sync their desktops to cloud storage such as OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon Drive. This not only makes it easy to access desktop data, but it also keeps it safe.

2. To Make the Desktop Data Easy to Access

There is always a need to securely access your files from wherever you are hassle-free. With OneDrive, you can sync your files to Mac and computer to ensure that secure access is granted when needed. You can also sync files in real-time, view, edit, and share them from your desktop without the need for a web browser. The other benefit is that; the files will always be updated.

3. It Can Be Used as a Way of Backup

If you are looking for a safe and easy way to backup desktop files, OneDrive comes in handy. You need to back up your desktop. This is because, if there is a virus attack, software issues, or crashes, you could end up losing all your folders and files. Once you learn how to back up the computer to one drive, you can comfortably work on your files. This will keep them safe, it is convenient, and the data that is saved on the desktop will be secure. Desktops are prone to various issues considering that they are also easily accessible.

As a user who saves their commonly used items on the desktop or downloads files to it, it is crucial to secure them. You should sync them to the OneDrive where they will also be backed up. If you have several devices, these files will be synced across them. To add icing to the cake, you can connect multiple computers with OneDrive sync.

Part 2: How to Sync Desktop in Windows with OneDrive Folder?

How does one drive sync work? This is a common question for first-time users. If you are using Windows 7, you will realize that it is not in-built. What this means is that you must download, install, and use your Microsoft account, sign up. However, if you are using Windows 8/10, the feature is in-built. Dragging and dropping your desktop folder to the OneDrive folder is the ideal way to sync your PC in Windows 10. The steps below clearly indicate how you can sync your desktop in Windows with the OneDrive folder.

Step 1: The first thing is to open File Explorer and then go to this location - C:\Users\Desktop

Step 2: Here, click the OneDrive folder to open it. It is important that you group the folders that you want it. To do this, you need to create a folder and give it a name. Now that you have created a folder, you need to create folders within it. This should be for every location that you wish to move to cloud storage. Let us say you want to move your desktop folder. Before doing so, create a folder in the same name inside OneDrive.

Step 3: In the third step, open the location of the default folders. Go ahead and right-click "Desktop" and "Properties" subsequently.

Step 4: Select the "Location" section. And after that, click on the "Move" button.

Step 5: On the OneDrive folder, open the Desktop folder that you just created.

Step 6: To confirm that the default location is changed, go to the "Select Folder" button.

Step 7: Select "Apply" and there will be a prompt to transfer your data from the old location to the new one. To proceed with the synching process, select "Yes" and then "OK." This is to make sure the task is completed.

This is how simple it is to sync desktop in Windows to OneDrive. If you have completed this but you are still asking yourself 'how do, I sync my documents to one drive?' then you probably do not have to be anxious about it. You follow the above steps to sync music, videos, downloads, and photos.

One limitation that users face when syncing folders and files with OneDrive folder is the failure of automatic syncing. Folders such as Program Files requires manual syncing since only default user folders can be synced automatically.

Using a professional OneDrive sync tool is the most appropriate way to sync folders and desktop. The advantage of this is that it works for personal and business requirements.

Part 3: How to Automatically Sync Desktop to OneDrive?

Using AOMEI Backupper, you can sync folders and files to other places. You can sync them to locations such as NAS, network, USB flash drive, cloud drives, and external hard drives. This sync tool has ‘File Sync’ which is a built-in feature that makes it even more reliable.

To save time and enjoy convenience when syncing desktop with OneDrive, you should use "Schedule Sync." This feature makes things easier as you sync folders and files to OneDrive without manual intervention.

We are going to take a look at how to make one drive sync desktop in Windows 7/8/10. However, you must log in to your OneDrive account first. Then, download and install AOMEI Backupper.

Step 1: Download and Open the Tool

First, you will need to open the AOMEI Backupper. Once it is opened, check under the "Backup" section and select "File Sync."

Step 2: Choose Desktop Folder

Here you need to choose the Desktop folder that needs to be synced. For that, head over to the "Add Folder" button and click it.

Tips: If there are specific files that you would want to include or exclude while syncing, you should get the paid version. It comes with a Filter setting which you can use to make these options. If you do not have this version, you can still get this feature by upgrading to AOMEI Backupper Professional version. This will give you more flexibility as you sync your files and folders.

Step 3: Select Cloud Drive

The next thing to do is selecting a required cloud drive. So, move to the "Select a cloud drive" button and click it. There is a drop-down menu which you should click on to get this option. After doing this, you need to select your destination path which is OneDrive.

Step 4: Schedule Sync Task

To automatically sync desktop to OneDrive, you must first select how often you want it done. Choose the "Schedule" option which is located at the bottom of the window. There is an option to do it daily, weekly, or even monthly. After selecting your preferred schedule, select "OK."

Note: To distinguish the synced folder from the rest, you can include a unique comment on it. Click "Options" to do this. You can get to know when the operation has been completed by checking "Enable Email Notifications."

Step 5: Start Sync Process

You need to hit the "Start Sync" button at this point.

To keep your most important data secure, you should always sync your desktop to OneDrive. The process becomes easier and convenient when you use AOMEI Backupper.

Conclusion

Most users have opted to use OneDrive to store their important data. All they need to access their files is to sign in to their accounts. With this online cloud, they are also backing up their local data which includes desktop, and stores them securely. Rather than using external devices such as USB flash drives to transfer files, it is more convenient to sync folders and desktop to OneDrive.

With the above two methods, you can conduct an OneDrive desktop sync. There is a more convenient and time-saving option rather than dragging and dropping files to the OneDrive folder.

To do so, opt for AOMEI Backupper, which is a sync tool that allows you to automatically sync your desktop to OneDrive.