Microsoft 365 (OneDrive for Business) - Access Files in OneDrive for Business

This document describes how to access your data stored in your Office 365 OneDrive for Business account.


OneDrive for Business via Outlook on the web

Note: Only one file can be saved/exported at a time.

  1. Log in to Outlook on the web.

  2. Open the app launcher tool in the top left of your Outlook on the web window as shown below.

    app launcher icon

  3. Select OneDrive for Business from the list of available apps.

    app launcher - onedrive

  4. Explorer window will appear showing you all the files/folders you currently have stored in your OneDrive for Business storage. Find and click the file you want to save/export.

  5. The file will either be downloaded (via your browser settings) or the file will be opened automatically. Use the associated application to save the file to the desired location on your computer. If you want to save the file to your computer, right-click on the file and select "Download" from the sub-menu. The file will be located within your download folder set within your browser settings.

OneDrive for Business via Desktop

This assumes you have installed/configured this client.

  1. Run/Start OneDrive for Business desktop application.
  2. Select the file(s) you want to save/export and copy them to your desired location on your computer.

Sync OneDrive for Business to my Computer

This process will allow you to sync your OneDrive for Business data from within your Office 365 account to your computer. Once synced, you can access (and modify) these files via your computer. Any changes made within your OneDrive for Business files on your computer will automatically be synced to your Office 365 account in the cloud.

  1. Log in to Outlook on the web.

  2. Open the app launcher tool in the top left of your Outlook on the web window as shown below.

    app launcher icon

  3. Select OneDrive for Business from the list of available apps.

    app launcher - onedrive

  4. You will be presented with 'Documents' - current set of data you have stored in your OneDrive for Business location.

  5. Select the Sync button.

    sync button

  6. At the prompt, click Sync Now to start the sync app wizard. The wizard automatically fills in the name and web address of the library.

  7. Select Sync Now in the wizard to start syncing.

    You can click Show my files… in the wizard to open the synced library folder in File Explorer. The folder is listed in your Favorites.

    If you synced OneDrive for Business, the library appears in File Explorer as either OneDrive for Business or as OneDrive for Business @ UW-Madison.

For additional resources, review Sync OneDrive for Business or site libraries to your computer.