OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, built directly into Windows 10 and 11 and available as a standalone app for Mac, Android and iOS. It lets you store files online, sync them across every device you use, and share folders with other people. A free Microsoft account includes 5GB of storage, with more space available through Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
Why OneDrive Is the Default Choice for Windows Users
Because it ships pre-installed with Windows and is tied to the Microsoft account you already sign into, OneDrive is the path of least resistance for backing up a PC. It integrates directly into File Explorer, so synced files behave like normal local files rather than living inside a separate app, and it pairs naturally with Office apps like Word and Excel for real-time co-authoring.
OneDrive Features
- Automatic PC Folder Backup — protects your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders by syncing them to the cloud automatically
- File Explorer Integration — synced files and folders show up directly inside Windows File Explorer with online-only placeholder icons
- Files On-Demand — browse your entire OneDrive without downloading everything to your local disk, fetching files only when opened
- Real-Time Co-Authoring — multiple people can edit the same Word, Excel or PowerPoint file stored on OneDrive at once
- File and Folder Sharing — generate shareable links with view or edit permissions for anyone, even without a Microsoft account
- Version History — recover earlier versions of a file or restore items from the Recycle Bin after deletion
- Personal Vault — an extra-protected, PIN- or biometric-locked area for storing sensitive files and scans
- Cross-Platform Sync — keeps files consistent across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices
How to Install OneDrive on Windows
- Open the official download page using the button on this page, which goes to Microsoft's OneDrive site.
- Download the OneDrive setup file for your operating system — Windows 10/11 already includes it, but a fresh installer is available too.
- Run the installer and sign in with a free or work/school Microsoft account when prompted.
- Choose your OneDrive folder location and select which PC folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures) to back up automatically.
- Wait for the initial sync to finish, then check the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar to confirm files are up to date.
Is OneDrive really free?
Freemium. OneDrive gives every Microsoft account 5GB of free cloud storage. Extra storage, up to 1TB and beyond, comes bundled with paid Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
How to download OneDrive safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering OneDrive. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to OneDrive
Other free file management & compression software worth comparing before you decide:
Dropbox
Cross-platform cloud storage and file sync with strong sharing and collaboration tools.
Google Drive
Cloud storage tightly integrated with Google Docs, Sheets and Gmail.
Frequently asked questions
Is OneDrive free?
Yes. Every Microsoft account gets 5GB of free OneDrive storage; more space comes with paid Microsoft 365 plans.
Does OneDrive work on Linux?
There is no official native Linux client. Linux users can access OneDrive through the web browser or third-party sync tools.
Can I recover files I deleted from OneDrive?
Yes. Deleted files go to the OneDrive Recycle Bin, where they can usually be restored for a limited time before permanent removal.
Is OneDrive already included in Windows?
Yes. OneDrive comes built into Windows 10 and 11 and is integrated directly into File Explorer.
How much free storage does OneDrive give?
A free Microsoft account includes 5GB of OneDrive storage.
Tell us what went wrong — a person reads every message and replies. Corrections to this page are treated as priority fixes.
People also search for
The terms visitors use to find this page. Each one lands here because it describes the same program.
Searches from India
OneDrive is identical worldwide — these are search phrasings, not different downloads. Every one of them gets the same official build from www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage.
