One of the advantages that Windows offers us is the opportunity to synchronize the folders on our computer. All thanks to its cloud storage service: OneDrive. This is a good way to be calm with all the content of our files well saved: images, desktop, documents, etc. In this post we are going to see how to sync OneDrive.
This is one of the long list of new features and adjustments that came with the launch of Windows 10. Microsoft's integration with OneDrive in the system's own file explorer brings us many advantages. Next, we will see how to take advantage of the synchronization with OneDrive.
What is OneDrive?
OneDrive is nothing but Microsoft's "cloud". Any user who has an Outlook or Hotmail account has 15 GB in the cloud completely free of charge. This space can be further expanded through a subscription to Office 365 or any of the payment plans offered by this storage service.
It comes integrated by default in Windows 10, which allows you to save files to folders through the browser and access them through the OneDrive app or web from any device.
The OneDrive store is actually a folder that has special protection whose access is only available to its users. The security guarantee is maximum: every time we want to access it, it is necessary to log in again and prove our identity through the security system. Microsoft two-step verification. This means that, if by bad luck, someone tried to hack our Microsoft account, they would not be able to access its content.
Not only that: OneDrive personal store automatically locks after 20 minutes of no activity. File sharing is also automatically disabled. It should be noted that, in favor of greater security, OneDrive always notifies the user in the event that the personal storage is open by means of an expressive icon of an open safe.
Sync files in OneDrive
The idea of synchronizing folders and files in OneDrive is to be able to access them from anywhere and through any device. This process is very simple and can be configured for both All the files of our devices or only for the folders that we have previously selected.
Synchronization of all files
The first option is the simplest and can be done with these simple steps:
- First we go to the search engine Home and we write «OneDrive.
- Then we select the application OneDrive.
- Finally, we sign in to OneDrive with the account we want to sync and finish the setup.
After a few seconds, our OneDrive files will begin to sync with the computer. The process may take longer to complete if the files are very numerous or especially large.
Sync only chosen folders
In the case of only wanting to have some folders or files synchronized, the way to proceed is this:
- The first step is to click on the onedrive icon that appears in the system tray or taskbar.
- Then we click on the option "Plus".
- Among the options that are displayed, we select the one of "Settings".
- Then a new window opens, where we select "Account".
- Next, within the section "Select folders", click on the button "Choose Folders".
- Finally, you have to mark the folders that we want to sync from OneDrive.
After performing these actions, only the selected folders will be synced to OneDrive. That is, we can access and edit them whenever we want and from any device. Plus, we'll keep them fully protected and safe in the cloud.
Synchronization: problems and solutions
Both using one method and another, sometimes arise unexpected problems when synchronizing. If error messages appear or we see that the process stops and does not advance, there are some solutions that we can try. They are the following:
Update OneDrive version: It is one of the actions that solves the most problems of this type. Keep in mind that both Windows 10 and OneDrive are constantly updated. If we don't have the latest updated version, things may start to fail.
- Access OneDrive online: We click on the OneDrive icon found in the notification area, there we open the “Settings and help” menu and press the “View online” option.
- Unlink and relaunch OneDrive: It is a different form of the classic "turn off and on" resource. It is a simple restart that we can execute as follows: We open OneDrive, in the menu we select “Help and settings”, from there we go to “Settings”, then to “Account” and finally click on “Unlink this device”. Once this is done, we run OneDrive again and try to sync.
- Verify that file names and types are compatible: There are some limitations that you need to be aware of. For example, that the full file path does not exceed 400 characters or that the file name does not contain illegal characters. You also have to know that the files to be synchronized cannot be larger than 20 GB.
- Disable antivirus and firewall. Only temporarily. Another classic solution, since it is often the firewall itself, in overzealousness, that blocks the synchronization process.
- Reset OneDrive: The last resort. When none of the above has worked, the only bullet left is to reset OneDrive and its settings, hoping that this will resolve the issue.
To all this we must add some other trick or common sense advice that can help you unblock the irritating situation of a stuck sync. Sometimes it's enough to just delete what's causing the conflict and continue with the rest of the files. For this, it is best to pause synchronization (the option is activated from the "Settings and help" menu, selecting the "Pause synchronization" option), and take advantage of this pause to delete those files or folders that are paralyzing synchronization. After that, the pause is removed and the process continues without any problems.