A Microsoft file hosting and synchronization service.
On Windows 11, this usually means OneDrive is either not actually starting, or a policy setting is blocking it.
Try these steps in order:
- Check whether OneDrive is just hidden or not running.
- Look at the far right of the taskbar for the white or blue OneDrive cloud icon.
- Select Show hidden icons if needed.
- If no icon appears, select Start, type OneDrive, and select OneDrive from the search results.
- Reinstall OneDrive cleanly.
- Open Start and search for Add or remove programs.
- Find Microsoft OneDrive under Apps & features and uninstall it.
- Restart if prompted.
- Install the desktop sync app again using the Microsoft OneDrive app download.
- Sign in again after installation.
- Reinstalling resets OneDrive settings and triggers a full sync.
- Files are not deleted from OneDrive by uninstalling the app.
- If only some folders were synced before, those folder choices must be set again after sync completes.
- Install Windows updates, then update OneDrive.
- Select Start, enter updates, and open Check for updates.
- Install all available Windows updates.
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\updateand select OK. - Double-click OneDriveSetup.exe.
- If clicking OneDrive still does nothing, check whether startup is blocked by policy.
- This is common when OneDrive for work or school is prevented from starting by Group Policy.
- Warning: registry changes are risky. Incorrect edits can cause serious problems.
- Check this registry path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive - Look for:
DisableFileSyncNGSC = DWORD:1 - For OneDrive to start, that value must be removed or changed to
0. - If the value is being applied by organizational policy, the policy must be changed; otherwise it will return after restart or sign-in.
If this is a personal Windows 11 device, steps 1 through 3 are the main path. If the device is managed by an organization, step 4 is the likely cause when reinstalling does not help.
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