Connecting OneDrive in Windows 11

Start the OneDrive desktop app manually, then reset and reinstall it only if it still does not launch; these operations do not delete files already stored in OneDrive.

1. Verify the cloud copy first

Sign in to OneDrive.com and check that your important folders and files appear there.

Files visible online are stored in OneDrive and remain available if the Windows app is reset or uninstalled. Avoid deleting or moving the existing local OneDrive folder while troubleshooting.

2. Start the correct OneDrive app

1. Select Start.
2. Type OneDrive.
3. Open the OneDrive desktop app.
4. If prompted, sign in with the same Microsoft account used previously.
5. If asked about an existing OneDrive folder, select Use this folder.

If the cloud icon appears in the taskbar notification area and synchronization begins, allow it to finish before reorganizing any folders.

3. Reset OneDrive if it does not start

Resetting disconnects and rebuilds OneDrive’s sync connections but does not delete your data. OneDrive performs a full synchronization afterward.^1^

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Enter:

      wsreset.exe
   

3. Select OK. A blank Command Prompt window may briefly appear, followed by Microsoft Store; close the Store window.
4. Press Windows key + R again.
5. Enter:

      %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
   

6. If Windows reports that it cannot find the file, try:

      C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
   

7. If that path is also not found, try:

      C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
   

8. Open Start, type OneDrive, and select the OneDrive desktop app.

After signing in, let synchronization complete. If you previously synchronized only selected folders, you may need to choose those folders again.

4. Reinstall the sync app if every reset path is missing or reset fails

If all three reset commands report that OneDrive cannot be found, the OneDrive sync app is not installed correctly.

1. Open Start, type Add or remove programs, and open it.
2. Find Microsoft OneDrive under installed apps.
3. Select it and choose Uninstall.
4. Download the Microsoft OneDrive sync app from the OneDrive website.
5. Open the downloaded installer.
6. Sign in and select the existing OneDrive folder when prompted.

Uninstalling OneDrive stops synchronization but does not remove data stored online; reinstalling resets its settings and starts a full sync.^2^

Be careful to install Microsoft OneDrive, the backup-and-sync desktop app. OneDrive by Microsoft Corporation from Microsoft Store is primarily for viewing files and does not provide desktop backup and synchronization.^2^

5. If OneDrive opens but will not reconnect

If the cloud icon becomes available but the account remains disconnected:

1. Select the OneDrive cloud in the notification area.
2. Select Help & Settings → Settings → Account.
3. Select Unlink this PC → Unlink account.
4. Press Windows key + R, enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings, and select OK.
5. Delete PreSignInSettingsConfig.json.
6. Start OneDrive and sign in again.
7. When told that the folder already exists, select Use this folder.

Unlinking and relinking does not lose OneDrive data; local folders are temporarily disconnected and synchronize again after relinking.^3^

Do not manually copy everything into a second OneDrive folder during the full sync, because that can create duplicates. Confirm the cloud icon reports Up to date before changing folder locations.

References

1. Reset OneDrive | Microsoft Support
2. Reinstall OneDrive | Microsoft Support
3. [Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/unlink-and-re-link-onedrive)