Summary
This article provides information about Sync and the best practices for using the Sync option with M365 OneDrive and SharePoint.
Content
What is Sync?
When a user installs the OneDrive sync app for Windows or Mac, they can work with their OneDrive files in File Explorer or Finder. They can also easily save files to Microsoft OneDrive from the programs they use.
When users add, change, and delete files and folders from the OneDrive mobile app or by accessing their OneDrive from a web browser, the files and folders are automatically added, changed, or deleted on their computer and vice versa. To upload files to OneDrive, users can simply copy or move them to OneDrive in File Explorer or Finder. They can also use File Explorer to easily organize their OneDrive by creating new folders, and moving and renaming files and folders. All these changes sync automatically.
Windows 10 devices come with the OneDrive sync app installed. Office 2016 and later installations also have the sync app installed.
Best Practices
- Do not choose to sync all of your files, use selective sync. Syncing all your files can create folders with large amounts of data that can become hard to manage.
- Do not use sync as a computer back-up. This will create very large files that take a long time to transfer data.
- Sync only what is needed to ensure those files or folders have redundancy.
- Use the Browser interface, it is much more user friendly and better presents some of the functionality available to users.
Further Readings
OneDrive: Synchronizing Files/Folders
Get started with OneDrive - from USNH Microsoft 365 Learning Pathways
Need additional help?
For assistance concerning site creation, content sharing, file synchronization, or other common SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, or Office app activities, we recommend our Microsoft 365 Learning sites:
Learn more about the great tools our Microsoft 365 Learning sites offer!
Visit the Technology Help Desk Support page to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request. For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.