move files

Ricky Broussard 0 Reputation points
2026-11-08T15:55:37.9633333+00:00

how to move all my files from one drive to my pc hard drive

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage
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  1. Marcin Policht 112.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-11-08T16:21:44.0466667+00:00

    You have several options for transferring your OneDrive files to your PC's local hard drive.

    1. Download everything using File Explorer (recommended). Open File Explorer and select OneDrive in the navigation pane. Press Ctrl+A to select all files and folders, right-click and select Always keep on this device. This forces OneDrive to download the files rather than leaving them as cloud-only placeholders. Wait until synchronization finishes and the green checkmark icons appear. Then copy the contents of the OneDrive folder to a local folder, such as D:\OneDrive Backup.
    2. Download files through OneDrive on the web. Go to https://onedrive.live.com, sign in, select the files and folders you want, and click Download. OneDrive packages multiple files into a ZIP archive. Once downloaded, extract the archive to a folder on your PC. This approach is useful if you do not want to use the OneDrive synchronization client.
    3. Change the OneDrive folder location. If you want your OneDrive contents stored on a different local drive, unlink your PC from OneDrive through Settings > Account > Unlink this PC. Then sign in again and, during setup, select Change location to specify a folder on your local hard drive. You can then synchronize your OneDrive contents to that location.

    If your objective is to move everything permanently to your PC and stop using OneDrive, use Option 1, verify that all files have been downloaded and copied, and only then unlink OneDrive or uninstall its synchronization client. Do not delete files from the synchronized OneDrive folder before unlinking, because deletions can propagate to the cloud.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-08T15:55:52.35+00:00

    To move files from OneDrive to the PC hard drive, first make sure the files are downloaded locally, then move them out of the OneDrive folder.

    1. Open OneDrive settings from the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
    2. Go to Sync and backup.
    3. If the files are online-only, download them first:
      • In File Explorer, open the OneDrive folder.
      • Select the files or folders to keep on the PC.
      • Right-click and select Always keep on this device. Files stored locally show a green checkmark.
    4. In OneDrive settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup, turn off backup for folders such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures if those folders are being backed up to OneDrive.
    5. Open File Explorer and go to the OneDrive folder.
    6. Select the files or folders to move.
    7. Move them to a folder on the local drive, such as under This PC > Documents, Pictures, or another folder on C:.

    If moving files between OneDrive locations or accounts, use File Explorer after the files are synced locally.

    If the goal is to keep using OneDrive but save space on the PC, OneDrive Files On-Demand can keep files in the cloud with smaller placeholder files on the hard drive.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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