# OneDrive Backup (Windows)

1. Open **OneDrive** from the Shortcuts toolbar, located in the bottom right corner, next to the date & time   
    [![OneDriveLocation.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/CRpk0PycNYmhQ7UY-onedrivelocation.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/CRpk0PycNYmhQ7UY-onedrivelocation.png)
2. Select **Sign in**   
    [![OneDriveSignin.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/5tvjQJvHrBwugIJh-onedrivesignin.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/5tvjQJvHrBwugIJh-onedrivesignin.png)
3. If you are already signed in, please proceed to the next section
4. Enter your full email address and select **Sign in**   
    [![OneDriveLogin.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/TQrippTUMVfla1BT-onedrivelogin.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/TQrippTUMVfla1BT-onedrivelogin.png)
5. Follow through the on-screen prompts to finish signing in
6. If prompted that a OneDrive folder already exists, choose **‘Use this folder’** (Figure 5)  
    [![OneDriveUseThisFolder.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/VGRBNIlG6W1hYTNO-onedriveusethisfolder.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/VGRBNIlG6W1hYTNO-onedriveusethisfolder.png)
7. Open **OneDrive** from the Shortcuts toolbar
8. Select the **Gear icon** in the top right corner   
    [![OneDrive Settings.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/aAFcDoc3U2pX7LdX-onedrive-settings.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/aAFcDoc3U2pX7LdX-onedrive-settings.png)
9. Choose **Settings** from the dropdown menu   
    [![OneDriveSettingsMenu.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/reAAjGR1BnWXmqRP-onedrivesettingsmenu.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/reAAjGR1BnWXmqRP-onedrivesettingsmenu.png)
10. Choose **Sync and Backup**   
    [![OneDriveSyncandBackup.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/7GTJV6f4koxppMBr-onedrivesyncandbackup.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/7GTJV6f4koxppMBr-onedrivesyncandbackup.png)
11. Select **Manage Backup**   
    [![OneDriveManageBackup.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/NyAtqSpizfueGE2Y-onedrivemanagebackup.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/NyAtqSpizfueGE2Y-onedrivemanagebackup.png)
12. Toggle the sliders **on** for **Documents**, **Pictures**, and **Desktop**   
    [![OneDriveBackup.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/yccTi2TaPTHfLHWO-onedrivebackup.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/yccTi2TaPTHfLHWO-onedrivebackup.png)
13. If these options are already enabled, then that data is being backed up — you do not need to proceed
14. Select **Save Changes**
15. When OneDrive is finished backing up you will see a **green checkmark**   
    [![OneDriveSynced.png](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/scaled-1680-/9Jn9iGblYbW4GQN9-onedrivesynced.png)](https://wiki.piedmont.edu/uploads/images/gallery/2025-06/9Jn9iGblYbW4GQN9-onedrivesynced.png)