How to backup files to OneDrive on Windows 11, 10

OneDrive can backup your Windows 11 (and 10) folders to the cloud, and here's how to set up the feature.

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@Pureinfotech
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OneDrive file backup on Windows 11 and 10
OneDrive file backup on Windows 11 and 10
  • To backup files to OneDrive from Windows 11, open OneDrive > Settings > Sync and backup, click “Manage backup,” and turn on the folders you wish to upload and keep backed up in OneDrive, including Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music, and Videos.

On Windows 11 (or 10), OneDrive has a file backup feature that syncs your files from the Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music, and Videos folders to the cloud, ensuring that data is protected against ransomware, viruses, and other malware.

If you have multiple devices, OneDrive can keep these folders in sync without extra steps. The only caveat about this feature is that you will need a subscription to back up more than 5GB of space since this is the limit in the free version of the cloud storage service.

This guide will teach you the steps to automatically set up folder protection to sync your Windows 11 account folders to OneDrive.

Configure backup files to OneDrive on Windows 11

To back up your files from the known Windows 11 folders (Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music, and Videos) to OneDrive, use these steps:

  1. Click the OneDrive (cloud) button in the Taskbar on Windows 11.

  2. Click the Help & Settings menu (gear) button and select the Settings option.

    OneDrive settings

  3. Click on Sync and backup.

  4. Click the Manage backup button from the “Back up important PC folders to OneDrive” setting.

    OneDrive manage backup

  5. Turn on the toggle switch to backup files to OneDrive, including Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music, and Videos.

    OneDrive backup folders

  6. Click the Save changes button.

Once you complete the steps, OneDrive will upload and protect your files in the cloud against ransomware, viruses, and other types of malware. Also, your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders will sync to your other devices, and you’ll now be able to access those files virtually from anywhere.

Disable OneDrive file backup on Windows 11

To stop file backup to OneDrive on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Click on the OneDrive (cloud) button in the Taskbar.

  2. Click the Help & Settings menu (gear) button and select the Settings option.

    OneDrive settings

  3. Click on Sync and backup.

  4. Click the Manage backup button from the “Back up important PC folders to OneDrive” setting.

    OneDrive manage backup

  5. Turn off the toggle switch for the files you no longer want to back up to OneDrive. (Turn off all the options to disable the OneDrive file backup completely.)

    OneDrive disable folders backup

  6. Click the Stop backup button.

  7. Click the “I’ll do it later” button.

After you complete the steps, OneDrive will stop syncing your Windows 11 account folders.

The only caveat using this feature is that Outlook database files (.pst files) and OneNote files, such as “.one,” “.onepkg,” “.onetoc,” and “.onetoc2” not already stored in OneDrive won’t be synced automatically.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.