How to Change OneDrive Folder Location in Windows 10 Easily

You will learn why change OneDrive folder location in Windows 10 and how to achieve the goal as well as a bonus tip to avoid data loss. Keep reading for more detailed information.

Clytze

by Clytze Updated on October 27, 2022

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Why Change OneDrive Folder Location in Windows 10?

In Windows 10, OneDrive is embedded into the operating system as the default service for storing your files and syncing with other devices. It ensures that your data is safely backed up and your files are kept regularly.

OneDrive

OneDrive allows you to save backup files on your computer. This ensures that you can always access your files, even when the internet is not working. However, if you store a lot of files in the OneDrive folder, it can take up a lot of space on your system drive, causing the system to freeze and not even perform some basic operations.

Therefore, many users wonder how to change the OneDrive folder location in Windows 10. You can read on for specific workarounds.

Bonus Tip: Backup OneDrive Folder in Advance to Avoid Data Loss

When many users plan to change OneDrive location folder, they also worry about whether some data will be lost after changing the location. Therefore, it is recommended that you back up the OneDrive folder with the free backup software - AOMEI Backupper Standard in advance before starting to change the location of the OneDrive folder.

This is equivalent to adding double insurance to your folders. Even if something goes wrong with your folders, you can use this backup to restore quickly to ensure no data loss.

Automatic backup: You can set different backup frequencies according to your needs, and the software will automatically backup folders for you regularly.
Different paths: You can backup folders to different destination paths, such as local disk, external disk, USB flash drive, network location, etc.
Multiple systems: This software supports multiple Windows operating systems, such as Windows11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, etc.

You can download and install this software and follow the steps below to start backing up your OneDrive folders.

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 1. When you open this freeware, click Backup > File Backup.

File Backup

Step 2. Click Add File or Add Folder, then select the OneDrive folder to backup.

Add Folder Files

Step 3. Select a destination location to store the OneDrive folder.

Select Destination

Step 4. You can click Schedule Backup at the bottom. In the General tab, you can select different frequencies to perform the scheduled backup.

Schedule Settings General

Step 5. Confirm all your operations and click Start Backup to backup OneDrive folder before changing location.

Start Backup

Notes:✎...
Options: You can compress or split the backup file and set up email notifications to let you know when backup tasks are complete.   
Schedule Backup: You can backup the OneDrive folder with fixed intervals, including Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event trigger and USB plug in. The last two are supported by the Pro version.
Backup Scheme: It offers 3 different backup methods (Full Backup, Incremental Backup and Differential Backup). The last two methods can delete older backups automatically to save target location space. And you can upgrade to the advanced version to enjoy them.

How to Change OneDrive Folder Location in Windows 10

Next, the following graphic tutorial will explain in detail how to change default OneDrive folder location on Windows 10. You can follow the steps.

Step 1. Select the Microsoft OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar or menu bar.

Step 2. Click or tap on the Help & Settings button. This brings up a menu with various options - select Settings from it.

OneDrive Settings

Step 3. In the Account tab, select Unlink this PC. The OneDrive setup screen will appear. You can ignore it for now, but don't close it.

Unlink This PC

Step 4. Next, move your OneDrive folder. Using File Explorer, drag the OneDrive folder to your preferred location.

Step 5. Go back to the OneDrive setup screen, click Get started, and then follow the instructions until you get to the screen where you can change your OneDrive folder's location. Select Change Location, choose the new folder location and then select OK.

Your OneDrive Folder

Step 6. You'll see a message letting you know that the OneDrive folder in the new location already has files in it. Select Use this location, and then finish setting up OneDrive.

Summary

After storing a large number of files, pictures and videos in the OneDrive folder, it is easy to cause the problem of insufficient space on the disk where it is located, thus affecting the normal use of the system.

You can change OneDrive folder location in Windows 10 according to the method described in the article. To avoid data loss, you can back up your OneDrive folders with the free backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard before changing the folder location. It can quickly recover without any data loss when the original folder has problems.

Apart from that, it is also an excellent sync file, which can help you easily sync D drive to OneDrive. You can download this software to explore more functions.

Clytze
Clytze · Editor
Clytze, an editor at AOMEI Technology, is passionate about safeguarding your digital world. She dedicates her expertise to empower users like you in data security and recovery. She firmly believes that everyone should have the tools and knowledge to protect their digital assets through computer backup, seamless disk cloning, and efficient file synchronization. Clytze is your trusted guide on the journey to data safety.