How to Reset Onedrive: Easy Steps.

Table of Contents Hide

What Is OneDrive?
How Does it Work?
OneDrive Pricing
Benefits of OneDrive
How Do I Clean My OneDrive Account?
Does a Factory Reset Delete OneDrive?
How Do I Empty OneDrive Without Losing Files?
What Happens if I Reset Onedrive?
When to Reset Your OneDrive
How to Reset OneDrive
Reset Onedrive Mac
Does Deleting a Microsoft Account Delete Onedrive?
How Do I Stop OneDrive From Syncing A Folder Without Deleting It?
Bottom Line
Frequently Asked Questions
What will happen if I uninstall OneDrive?
Does deleting files from OneDrive delete them from your PC?
Similar Articles
Reference

Users can sync their files across devices, and when sharing, they can set permissions for who can view and make changes to what parts of the file. You get to set the terms, including how long the file will be accessible to others. Few people are aware of this platform’s potential and advantages. In this article, we will discuss how to reset OneDrive on a Mac.

Let’s take a look at what OneDrive is and how it operates before we get into how to reset it.

What Is OneDrive?

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service. For users with a Microsoft account, OneDrive is the default destination for keeping files in Windows 11, and it provides 5 GB of free space before offering upgrade options.

You can access your files, images, and other documents from any of your devices by using OneDrive. A user’s files can be saved in OneDrive and then synchronized across all of their devices. This allows for simultaneous access to and editing of the same document from different physical locations. With OneDrive, you get quick and simple cloud storage access with opportunities for collaboration.

How Does it Work?

Users can open and edit Microsoft Office files on OneDrive, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. There’s no need to install anything extra; it’s included in Windows 11. To access OneDrive, users must first sign in with a Microsoft account. OneDrive requires users to visit onedrive.com and click the “Sign in” button at the top of the page.

Users are able to collaborate in real-time on Office documents, make changes to files in their browsers, and even create and share new folders. In addition to being able to share content on Facebook, automatically back up your camera roll, and send slideshows via email, OneDrive has a lot to offer. OneDrive supports the scanning and saving of documents.

Data can be stored in either OneDrive or File Explorer, at the user’s discretion. OneDrive users who also use another backup system should have copies of their data on both systems. Other users, however, are free to use either for their own data storage needs.

Users of OneDrive can send any of their saved files to anyone else. To invite others to a shared folder in OneDrive, the user must first pick that folder, and then click the share button in the menu bar. The user can then enter the recipient’s email addresses. The user can choose to provide the shared recipient editing permissions if the recipient also has Office 365. You can also select extremely specific permission levels using the drop-down menus. Users can now access the group button. Accessing the same share menu, users can build links to share files by selecting “Get a Link.” Allowing or disallowing receiver modifications is another option. Users create a link, choose it, and send it to anyone.

OneDrive can be accessed on the go with your Mac, iPhone, or Android device.

OneDrive Pricing

The minimum storage space available in OneDrive is 5 GB. Upgrades between residential and commercial designs provide customers access to greater space. There is a free bare-bones 5 GB plan, a 100 GB plan for $1.99 per month, a 1 TB plan for $69.99 with Microsoft 365 Personal, and a 6 TB plan for $99.99 with Microsoft 365 Family, for a total of 6 TB.

Microsoft provides a corporate version of OneDrive called “OneDrive for Business.” Separate from Microsoft 365, but included in Office Online, is a product called OneDrive for Business. It has auditing and reporting features, along with compliance standards and multi-factor authentication. There are four different price points for OneDrive for Business. As you move up from the basic plan to the more expensive one, you’ll gain access to more features and more space.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic is available for $6 per user per month, Microsoft 365 Business Standard is available for $12.50 per user per month, and Business Plan 1 costs $5 per user per month. In addition, OneDrive for Business offers up to 25 terabytes (TB) of storage space per user.

Benefits of OneDrive

Just naming it cloud storage should give you some sense of what you should expect. But OneDrive’s features and the manufacturer’s extra goodies for the user make it stand out in its own right. Once you have OneDrive up and running, you may take advantage of some of the following advantages.

#1. Free Storage

Microsoft is aware of the public’s penchant for the priceless “free” label. Those who use OneDrive can get 5 GB of free space. If you need some more room to keep specific files, this should do the trick. This extra room is also useful for syncing gadgets. A Microsoft 365 subscription also includes one free terabyte of cloud storage. That is the kind of thing any company would want to hear about. Alternatively, you can get referral bonuses of up to 15 GB by convincing others to sign up for the service through your personal referral link.

OneDrive is commonly used for file sharing among companies. This could be the case as they share and edit documents or as they educate clients. The share options are customizable, allowing administrators to set the level of access that users have to files on the shared drive. In order to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of sensitive information, administrators can establish permissions that employees may provide to external users.

Also, specific access to documents can be set up so that once a certain amount of time has passed, access is once again limited. To prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, files stored in the cloud are also encrypted. Users can be certain that their data is secure on this platform, and that Microsoft is constantly working to further strengthen that security.

#3. High Availability

Since 2015, users have had access to their OneDrive files at any time. It is reasonable to expect Microsoft to have its servers online around the clock. If one of their servers goes down, the backup in OneDrive will kick in to keep everything running smoothly. If you’re the end user, this means you won’t have to stress about losing access to your data if the server goes down. To put it another way, we can guarantee 99.97% uptime for your cloud storage.

#4. Effective File Organization

When working with others on a document, you and they will never have to worry about working from different versions. Your papers can be managed in OneDrive, and updates to the same document can be added with revision and change tracking information. This is a benefit for employees to have in a company that values remote workers.

#5. Simple Access to Documents

All of your devices, from your phone to your computer, can be kept in sync with OneDrive. It works with both Android and iOS. Since everything is stored in the cloud, today’s mobile workers don’t have to worry about carrying around heavy file cabinets. You can rest assured that your bandwidth will not be depleted due to the ubiquitous accessibility of your files, as they are automatically synced and updated. When using a metered connection, you have the option of pausing sync until you reconnect to Wi-Fi. This process can be programmed to run automatically, allowing you to continue working without interrupting to adjust parameters.

Also, the fact that it’s so simple to track down any given file on OneDrive is yet another handy accessibility feature. The software makes file recommendations based on your activity and the activity of other users. Integrating with other Apps allows you to automate the retrieval of specific files.

How Do I Clean My OneDrive Account?

Here are some simple steps on how to clean your OneDrive account:

#1. Open OneDrive on Your Computer

The Start button, a tiny button in the lower left corner of Microsoft Windows, provides access to the main menu. After selecting “Start,” the user can then type “OneDrive” into the search bar to access the cloud storage’s settings and delete unwanted files. The OneDrive app will be among the results that appear.

The user can access the OneDrive interface to perform tasks like managing files and clearing out space by picking the app from the list. In addition, the user can clean up their OneDrive account by removing files they no longer require directly from the application.

#2. Go Through All of Your OneDrive Folders and Files

Keeping your files clean and organized on OneDrive is as easy as a quick cleanup. Start by launching OneDrive and exploring its many files and folders. Make a mental note of any directories or files that you don’t plan on using again and determine if you want to remove them. Select the file or folder you want to delete, then choose the Delete button.

OneDrive will update you on your remaining storage space whenever you’ve removed any unused files or folders. Using this method, you can keep your OneDrive in tip-top shape.

#3. Choose the Documents You Wish to Delete

This is part of a set of guidelines for organizing Microsoft’s cloud storage service, OneDrive. A user can clean up their OneDrive by clicking on the file or folder they want to get rid of and then checking the box next to it. This process needs to be done for each directory and file the user wants removed. When the user is finished selecting the objects they want to delete, they can start the purge procedure.

#4. Empty the Recycling Bin

When you do this, all deleted OneDrive files will be purged from the Recycle Bin. Emptying the Recycle Bin on a regular basis will prevent outdated data from clogging up your OneDrive storage space, as the Bin is a temporary storage spot for deleted files and folders.

Simply right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop to empty the bin. Then, choose “Empty Recycle Bin” from the selection that appears. By doing so, everything stored in the Bin will be removed, and space in your OneDrive account will be made available once more.

#5. Remove Any Unnecessary or Duplicate Files

To begin clearing out your OneDrive, go back to the main OneDrive interface and search for any duplicates among your files and folders. It is possible to wind up with several copies of a file or folder after an unintentional download, transfer, or other alteration to the file or folder structure.

To get rid of duplicates, select them with a left mouse click, then choose “Delete” from the context menu. By doing so, you can clean up your OneDrive by removing duplicate files or folders.

#6. Find Out How Much Space You Have In OneDrive

Navigate to the OneDrive preferences panel: This phrase takes you to the configuration page for OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud-based file management service.

i. Select the “Manage Storage” menu item: Following these steps will take you to a section of the OneDrive settings window where you can monitor and adjust your storage needs.

ii. Compare the amount of used storage to the total amount of accessible storage: This guideline instructs you to compare the amount of used storage space to the overall amount of storage space. This is a crucial part of cleaning up your OneDrive, as it lets you see which files and folders are taking up the most room, so you can get rid of or relocate them.

#7. Disconnect the OneDrive From All Other Gadgets

Open the OneDrive settings box once more if you need to wipe out your OneDrive account. You can launch this window from the main OneDrive app or the OneDrive website.

i. As soon as the OneDrive settings window has loaded, click the “Manage Devices” tab. Clicking this button will display a list of all the gadgets synced with your OneDrive account.

ii. Disconnect any gadgets you no longer need or wish to have access to your OneDrive – Finally, check the list of linked devices and disconnect any that you no longer need to access your OneDrive account. This way, your OneDrive files will only be accessible from the devices you’ve authorized.

#8. Locate Any Incompatible Folders or Documents

The user should return to the OneDrive window in order to perform any necessary cleanup. The next step is for them to verify the sync status of any folders or files that are missing. To accomplish this, choose the desired data and then click the “Sync” option. This will guarantee that all of your folders and files are always in sync and up-to-date.

#9. Use a Backup of Your OneDrive

To adjust OneDrive’s preferences, the user should launch the program’s settings window. You can open this window either from the OneDrive menu or the computer’s Control Panel.

i. When the OneDrive settings box appears, the user should click the “Backup” button. Users can protect their OneDrive files by creating a backup copy that can be easily recovered in the event of a data loss.

ii. Backup your OneDrive by following the on-screen prompts: When backing up data from OneDrive, the user should first select the “Backup” option and then follow the on-screen instructions. A user’s login credentials and the location of the backup file may need to be entered during this step. When the backup is complete, the user can rest easy knowing that their OneDrive data has been saved and may be restored if necessary.

Does a Factory Reset Delete OneDrive?

Yes, but your files on other devices that are still linked to OneDrive should be safe even if you unlink OneDrive on your primary desktop and conduct a factory reset. Since OneDrive synchronizes files across devices, the laptop will continue to have access to the files so long as they are connected to the same OneDrive account.

How Do I Empty OneDrive Without Losing Files?

Here is how you empty Onedrive without losing files:

Step 1: Select “Settings” in OneDrive

First is accessing the configurations for OneDrive. Select “Settings” from the menu that appears when you right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray (the small panel on the right side of your screen).

Step 2: Select Which Data Should Be Synced

To access this feature, open the preferences window, navigate to the “Account” section, and then click the “Choose folders” button. Clicking this will bring up a box where you can select the folders you want to sync with OneDrive. Turn off synchronization for the folders you don’t want to keep on your computer, but leave it on for the ones you do.

Step 3: Unlink Your PC from OneDrive

When you’re done selecting which folders to sync with OneDrive, you may free up space on your computer by disconnecting your device from OneDrive. Select the “Unlink this PC” option from the “Account” section of the settings menu to accomplish this. Select “Unlink account” to confirm your choice.

Step 4: Delete Your Local Copy Of OneDrive

With the click of a button, you can disconnect your computer from OneDrive and delete the OneDrive folder locally. To permanently remove the folder and all of its contents, you can either use the “Delete” button in File Explorer or go to the “Recycle Bin” and select “Empty Recycle Bin.”

Step 5: Cloud File Verification

Your OneDrive files will still be safe in the cloud even after you’ve followed the preceding procedures to clear up space on your local computer. Make sure you can still get to your cloud files by checking your OneDrive account. The OneDrive web portal is a great way to verify the availability of your cloud storage and files within it.

What Happens if I Reset Onedrive?

If you choose to reset OneDrive, it will go back to how it was before you performed the first activity you chose. A factory reset will return it to its original state. Whenever you back up to OneDrive, it will remove the DAT file, save the application’s logs to the registry, and save your preferences to a disk. After a successful reset, OneDrive loads the new settings and recreates the DAT file, after which it verifies the change in the registry.

When to Reset Your OneDrive

It is essential to double-check that everything is running smoothly when using OneDrive. However, there are situations in which a complete reset of OneDrive is necessary.

Here are the circumstances where this step is mandatory:

#1. Problems With Synchronization

If you find that your files aren’t synchronizing between your computer and OneDrive, there may be a problem with the cloud storage service.

In other cases, it may be as easy as a momentary glitch.

Resetting your OneDrive can fix these syncing problems and make sure your files are always up-to-date on all of your devices, but only if you do so.

#2. Constant Crashes and Bugs

You may see random issues or frequent failures when using OneDrive.

Because of this instability, you may experience a decrease in productivity and even the loss of unsaved work.

Resetting Typically, OneDrive fixes these problems by getting rid of any flaws or hiccups that were making the program act in an unusual way.

#3. Errors in Connection Establishment

Persistent connectivity problems, such as an inability to connect to OneDrive’s servers, may be attributable to bugs in the software itself.

If you’re having trouble connecting to OneDrive, restarting it can help. This also applies to other connectivity issues that may be preventing you from accessing your files online.

How to Reset OneDrive

Microsoft OneDrive can be reset in three different ways:

Through the taskbar or task manager
Using the command prompt
Through the settings

#1. Resetting OneDrive Through the Taskbar or Task Manager

The quickest way to reset OneDrive is to close it using the taskbar or the task manager. This is actually standard practice.

Just stick to this simple procedure:

Find the OneDrive cloud icon in your computer’s system tray.
Right-click the OneDrive icon
Click the “Quit OneDrive” button.
Then, a confirmation window will pop up to show you what you’ve chosen.
Use the corresponding window’s “close OneDrive” button to exit OneDrive.

You can go one of two ways here:

Find the program that manages your tasks
To access the task manager, press ctrl+alt+delete.
Microsoft OneDrive can be found under the processes.
Just end the process by right-clicking on it

If you want to exit the OneDrive desktop software, you can do so in any of the ways listed above. Simply reopening OneDrive will reset all of your data.

#2. Resetting OneDrive Using Command Prompt

Those who are comfortable with the command prompt can perform a more thorough reset of the OneDrive app.

You must first complete the procedures at #1 on this list, which involve closing the OneDrive system using the app’s icon in the taskbar/task manager.

After that, launch the command prompt:

Simply cut and paste the following command to reset OneDrive, then hit Enter:

Microsoft OneDrive Reset (onedrive.exe /reset)

The preceding command will break your synchronization with OneDrive without erasing any of your data.

In the event that Windows reports that it cannot locate the application, try the following:

Drive: Program FilesOneDrive for Windows / onedrive.exe /reset

Start in “C: Program Files (x86)”OneDrive for Windows / onedrive.exe /reset

The run dialog box can be used in place of the command prompt for any of the aforementioned actions.

To achieve this, simply press the Windows key plus R and then paste the code in the appropriate spot.

To use OneDrive again after performing any of the preceding procedures, you will need to launch it once more.

#3. Using the Settings Menu to Reset Onedrive

OneDrive can be reset using the program’s preferences as a last resort.

This can be accomplished by going into your OneDrive settings, unlinking your account, and then reconnecting it. To change your preferences for using OneDrive, right-click its icon in the system tray.

In the following box, you’ll be able to make a variety of adjustments.

Going forward:

Select the “Account” menu.
This personal computer can be disconnected.
Reconnect your profile
Make a fresh profile

By resetting the program in this way, you may be able to fix any residual sync issues with OneDrive.

Reset Onedrive Mac

Please use the methods below if you’re working on a Mac.

Select the cloud icon in the system tray, then click Settings, and finally select “Quit OneDrive.”
Look in your computer’s Applications folder for OneDrive.
Select Right-Click > Show Package Contents > OneDrive.
Navigate to the folder labeled “Contents” > “Resources.”
Just double-click the ResetOneDriveApp.command file (or
When using the standalone app, run the command resetOneDriveAppStandalone.cmd.
Launch OneDrive and complete the installation process.

Does Deleting a Microsoft Account Delete Onedrive?

Yes, if you decide to delete your Microsoft account, you will no longer have access to any Microsoft services, including OneDrive, Office, Xbox, and even this community forum, as well as any data or information associated with that account.

How Do I Stop OneDrive From Syncing A Folder Without Deleting It?

With OneDrive, you can save files in the cloud and view them from any computer or mobile device. Any time you make a modification to a file in your OneDrive folder, that update will be automatically synced across all of your devices. You can easily disable folder synchronization without deleting it if you no longer want it to be synchronized.

Launch the OneDrive app and then select “More” from the menu that appears in the app’s upper right corner. This will bring up a menu of choices. You should start by clicking the “Settings” menu, then click the “Choose Folders” button. When you click this, a window will pop up listing every folder that has been uploaded to your OneDrive account. Locate the folder you no longer wish to sync and deselect its checkbox. By doing so, synchronization of the folder will be terminated.

At any moment, you may resume syncing the folder by returning to the “Choose Folders” screen and checking the box next to it. Again, synchronization will begin. The syncing of any other folders in your OneDrive account can likewise be started and stopped from this page.

Bottom Line

If you’re having trouble keeping everything in sync with the fantastic OneDrive program, this article should be a great resource for you and your IT support staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen if I uninstall OneDrive?

If you decide to delete OneDrive from your computer, your files and data will remain intact. Simply log in to OneDrive.com whenever you need to access your files. To do this, click the Start menu’s search field, enter Programs, and then click Add/Remove Programs from the resulting list.

Does deleting files from OneDrive delete them from your PC?

When you delete a file from OneDrive, it will also be removed from your local hard drive. Files can be moved out of the OneDrive folder and into a separate location on your hard disk if you don’t want to erase them.