Microsoft OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud-based storage and synchronization service operated by Microsoft as part of its Office Online suite. This service enables you to share and access files from all of your Internet-connected devices. UVM accounts with Office 365 A3 licenses (current students, staff, and faculty) have 1TB of OneDrive storage, and those with A1 licenses (primarily retired staff and faculty) have 100GB. For more information on Office licenses, see our article on Office 365 Licensing, Installation, and Activation.

Data Security

OneDrive meets the requirements of UVM’s Data Security Policy for storing low-risk data, but it should not be used to store or share HIPAA data.

Installation & Sign-in

Windows

OneDrive comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. If you are running an older version of Windows, you can download OneDrive from onedrive.com/download, but please consider upgrading.

  1. Click the Start Menu () button or press the Windows () key, and then search for “onedrive” and select the OneDrive App from the search results.
  2. Enter your UVM email address, and then click Sign In.
  3. Sign in with your UVM NetID and password.

You should now be signed in to OneDrive.

macOS

  1. Download the OneDrive installer from onedrive.com/download or from UVM’s Managed Software Center.
  2. Launch the installer and follow the installation prompts using the default settings.
  3. After the installation of OneDrive has finished, open OneDrive from your Applications folder or by searching “onedrive” in spotlight search.
  4. Enter your UVM email address, and then click Sign In.
  5. Sign in with your UVM NetID and password.

You should now be signed in to OneDrive.

Linux

Linux not officially supported

UVM Enterprise Technology Services does not officially support the Linux operating system. We provide these instructions because they have been approved for use, but we do not have the resources for additional troubleshooting when things don’t work.

Instructions vary by distribution and desktop environment

Instructions may vary depending on the version of Linux you use. You’ll need to search online for something like “open Terminal on Debian” if the steps below do not line up.

  1. Open the Terminal application.  One way to do this could be to tap the Windows key on your keyboard (), type “terminal”, and hit Enter.
    Linux search for Terminal
  2. Type sudo, followed by the OneDrive install command for your operating system, and hit Enter. The command will look something like:
    sudo yum install onedrive

    or

    sudo apt-get install onedrive
  3. Respond to any dependency, confirmation, and root password prompts, hitting Enter after typing each response.
  4. Once complete, it might be a good idea to restart your computer.  Then, open the terminal again and run OneDrive with this command:
    onedrive
  5. If prompted, sign in to your UVM account, and respond to any DUO prompts.
  6. If this is your first time signing in to OneDrive from Linux, you will like see something like the following in the Terminal window. Ctrl+click or copy+paste the provided response uri into a web browser.
    Linux Authorize OneDrive Response URI
  7. Once the Application has been successfully authorised (as reported through the Terminal window), run one of the following commands:
    1. to perform a one-time sync of your OneDrive data:
      onedrive --synchronize
    2. to turn on automatic sync and keep your filesystem and backup up-to-date:
      onedrive --monitor
    3. to see more options:
      onedrive --help

Android

  1. Install Microsoft OneDrive from the Google Play Store
    Search your apps first

    OneDrive comes pre-installed on some Android devices. If you search your installed apps and find it, you can skip ahead to the next step.


  2. Once installed, open the OneDrive app.
  3. Tap Sign in.
  4. Enter your UVM email address, and then tap the arrow.
  5. Log in with your UVM NetID and password.

You should now be signed in to OneDrive.

iOS

  1. Install Microsoft OneDrive from the Apple App Store.
  2. Once installed, open the OneDrive app.
  3. Tap Sign in, enter your UVM email address, and then tap Sign in again.
  4. Log in with your UVM NetID and password.

You should now be signed into OneDrive.

OneDrive on the web

  1. Visit onedrive.com and click Sign In in the top right corner, or go to go.uvm.edu/onedrive
  2. Enter your UVM email address and click Next
  3. Enter your UVM NetID and password

You should now be signed in to OneDrive.

Getting Started with OneDrive

OneDrive Basics

After installing and signing into OneDrive, you will find a new folder available on your computer called OneDrive – University of Vermont.

While the OneDrive application is open, the contents of this folder will automatically sync to your OneDrive cloud storage. You can monitor for file uploads, downloads, and other activity by clicking the OneDrive icon in your Windows icon tray or macOS menu bar.

If you set up OneDrive on another device, any updates to files and folders stored in your OneDrive space will be synced across your devices. If you use a large amount of your OneDrive space, consider enabling Files On-Demand.

Explore OneDrive on Windows

After installing and signing into the OneDrive client on your device, you will see a OneDrive – University of Vermont folder on your computer. Anything you put in this folder will sync to the cloud and will be available to all devices you connect to your OneDrive account, or via the OneDrive webpage.

Files not syncing?

Please note that the OneDrive application has to be running for syncing to complete. Typically, this app starts automatically when your computer starts up.

Navigating to your OneDrive – University of Vermont folder:

  1. Press the E keys on your keyboard to open File Explorer.
  2. Your OneDrive – University of Vermont folder is located in the left column.

Explore OneDrive on macOS

After installing and signing into the OneDrive client on your device, you will see a OneDrive – University of Vermont folder on your computer. Anything you put in this folder will sync to the cloud and will be available to all devices you connect to your OneDrive account, or via the OneDrive webpage.

Files not syncing?

Please note that the OneDrive application has to be running for syncing to complete. Typically, this app starts automatically when your computer starts up.

Navigating to your OneDrive – University of Vermont folder:

  1. Open a Finder window.
  2. Your OneDrive – University of Vermont folder is located in the left column.

Upload Files and Folders to OneDrive

  1. Ensure the OneDrive app is open and running
    • Windows users can check for the OneDrive app in the icon tray:
    • macOS users can look in the menu bar:
  2. Open your OneDrive folder using the Windows or macOS instructions above, and then drag and drop the files and folders you wish to upload to your OneDrive folder
  3. Verify your file or folder was uploaded by clicking on the OneDrive app in the Windows icon tray or the macOS menu bar
    May take some time

    Larger files may take additional time to transfer.

Back up common user profile folders

See the following official Microsoft support article for help backing up your Desktop, Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/back-up-your-folders-with-onedrive-d61a7930-a6fb-4b95-b28a-6552e77c3057

Share your Files and Folders

  1. Ensure your files or folders have been uploaded to OneDrive.
  2. Click Share, which can be found:
    • In the top right corner of most Microsoft Office applications.
    • By right-clicking a file or folder stored in your OneDrive folder.

      Not seeing Share?

      If you don’t see Share as an option, click Show more options.

  3. Select how and to whom the file or folder should be shared
    • To share via email: enter the email addresses you would like to share with, review settings, enter a message (optional), and then click Send.
    • To copy a sharing link: open the link settings, make any necessary changes, click Apply, and then click Copy to copy the link into the clipboard.

Check your Link Settings Before Sharing

There are many options available when sharing a link to your OneDrive file or folder, including the ability to limit access to your link, to allow or disallow editing, and to prevent downloading of your file.

Before sending a link to your content, consider how you’d like your files and folders to be accessed and make appropriate changes.


Source: Microsoft

Revoke Access

    1. Click Manage Access, which can be found:
      • By clicking Share in the top-right corner of most Microsoft Office Applications.
      • By right-clicking a file or folder stored in your OneDrive folder on PC, clicking OneDrive and then Manage access.
        Windows Files Explorer showing item OneDrive Manage access option
      • By right- or control-clicking a file or folder stored in your OneDrive folder on Mac and clicking Manage Access.
        OneDrive for Mac item context menu with Manage Access highlighted
      • Or, by clicking the ellipsis to the right of a file or folder in OneDrive online.
    2. From the Manage Access window you can:
      • Revoke access from all non-owner accounts by clicking Stop sharing (as shown in blue below) and then Stop sharing again to confirm.
      • Or, you can revoke individual user access. To do so:
        1. Click the pencil icon to the right of their name.
        2. Click Direct Access.
        3. Click the drop-down menu that shows their current access level ( or )
        4. Click Remove direct access.
        5. Click Remove.
          Admin File Access

          It is not possible to revoke “Owner” access.  Owners will likely include yourself, but may also include various “Admin” accounts (as shown in green above). Those admin accounts are needed for routine maintenance and auditing and can be safely ignored.

Scan, sign, and share documents

When working remotely, or away from your office scanner, use the OneDrive app on your smart device to scan documents as PDFs.

source: Microsoft

  1. In the OneDrive app, tap the Camera icon.
    Camera access required

    Scanning requires the camera. If prompted, you will have to allow access for scanning to work.

  2. Select Document and tap the white circle icon to scan the item.Scan options for OneDrive for iOS
    Use the option for multi-page scanning

    This allows you to combine multiple scans into a single PDF. To utilize that option, tap Add, and then scan your next document.

  3. If you don’t like the image, tap the left arrow icon to delete the scan and try again.
  4. To sign or draw on the image, select the Pen icon and choose a color.
  5. Once you’re done editing your item, tap Done (or the checkmark on some Android devices), enter a file name, and then tap Save (or the checkmark on Android devices).
  6. Find the doc on your OneDrive (you may be prompted to share the latest scan), and tap the three dots to open a menu to share.

Sync Libraries

With the OneDrive app installed on your computer, you can sync SharePoint libraries with your machine. For more information and for instructions on doing this, please see our article about SharePoint Online.

Files On-Demand

OneDrive Files On-Demand gives you access to your files in OneDrive without using up disk space on your computer. This is especially useful when your hard drive is running low on storage space.

OneDrive Sync Status Icons

When Files On-Demand is turned on, the files synced to your OneDrive – University of Vermont folder will display one of three icons. These icons let you know the current sync status of the file or folder.

Conceptual image of an online only file

Online-only files don’t take up space on your computer. You see a cloud icon for each online-only file, but the file doesn’t download to your device until you open it. You need an Internet connection to open online-only files.

Conceptual image of a locally available file

Opening an online-only file will automatically download a local copy of the file to your device. This allows the file to become a locally available file, which can be accessed anytime, even when your computer does not have an Internet connection. You can change the file back to online-only by right-clicking the file and selecting Free up space.

Conceptual image of an always available file

Files that have been marked as Always keep on this device will have a green circle with the white checkmark. Always available files are stored locally on your device and will take up space, but they are always available, even without an Internet connection.

Source: Microsoft

Enable Files On-Demand for Windows

  1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area. You may have to click the up chevron () to Show hidden items first.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select Advanced settings and then scroll down.
  4. Select Free up disk space.

Enable Files On-Demand for macOS

Please see the following official Microsoft support page for information about Files On-Demand for Mac.

You will not see this feature in macOS versions prior to 10.14 and you may not see it in versions newer than 12.1.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/save-disk-space-with-onedrive-files-on-demand-for-mac-529f6d53-e572-4922-a585-e7a318c135f0

Troubleshooting

Restore Deleted files from OneDrive


Source: Microsoft

  1. Visit go.uvm.edu/onedrive and sign in with your UVM NetID and password.
  2. Select Recycle bin from the left-side menu.
  3. Select all the files you wish to restore.
  4. Click Restore from the top menu.
  5. The selected files will be restored to their original location.

I can't access OneDrive

If you’re unable to login to OneDrive, please contact the UVM Tech Team.

macOS can't sign-in after password change

If you’re unable to sign into OneDrive for macOS after a NetID password change, quit the OneDrive client and open your Keychain Access using the Finder > Go > Utilities > Keychain Access.app menu path.

Once in Keychain Access, use the search box in the upper right to find the term OneDrive, select the entry containing the term “Cached Credential”, and delete it.

Reopen the OneDrive app, and then sign in using your UVM NetID and password.

Fix OneDrive sync problems

Visit the following official Microsoft support page to start the OneDrive troubleshooter, see descriptions of some commons OneDrive icons, and learn some common fixes:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/fix-onedrive-sync-problems-0899b115-05f7-45ec-95b2-e4cc8c4670b2

Turn it off and back on again

  1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the upper-right corner (MacOS) or the bottom-right corner (Windows) of your screen. You may have to click the up chevron () to Show hidden items first.
  2. Click the More ellipsis () icon (Mac) or the Gear () icon (Windows).
  3. Click Pause syncing .
  4. Select Quit OneDrive.
  5. Reopen the Application from the Applications Folder (Mac) or the Start Menu (Windows).

Updated on November 5, 2024

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