• What is It?
• Limitations
• Requirements
• Setting up OneDrive Sync on Windows (First-time logging into OneDrive)
• Setting up OneDrive Sync on Windows (Already logged into OneDrive)
• Setting up OneDrive Sync on Macs (First-time logging into OneDrive)
• Setting up OneDrive Sync on Macs (Already logged into OneDrive)
• Known Issues
• FAQs

What is it? 

OneDrive Sync allows you to sync designated folders on your computer to OneDrive. This enables users to access their files in multiple systems. 

More info: Back up your folders with OneDrive - Microsoft Support

When OneDrive Sync is enabled, it will move these designated folders to a new location listed below. Please update any links/shortcuts you may have. 

Windows Folders:

• Desktop:
  Before: C:\Users\XXXXX\Desktop
  After: C:\Users\XXXXX\UCSF - OneDrive\Desktop
• Documents:
  Before: C:\Users\XXXXX\Documents
  After: C:\Users\XXXXX\UCSF - OneDrive\Documents
• Pictures:
  Before: C:\Users\XXXXX\Pictures
  After: C:\Users\XXXXX\UCSF - OneDrive\Pictures

Mac Folders:

• Desktop:
  Before: /Users/<username>/Desktop
  After: /Users/<username>/Library/CloudStorage/OneDrive-UCSF/Desktop/
• Documents:
  Before: /Users/<username>/Documents
  After: /Users/<username>/Library/CloudStorage/OneDrive-UCSF/Documents/

Limitations

OneDrive is not intended to be a full backup solution. OneDrive sync will work as a backup solution for most users, but there are some restrictions and limitations.  

Restrictions and limitations in OneDrive and SharePoint - Microsoft Support

IMPORTANT: On Macs, only OneDrive from our standard MS Office installer or from our Jamf Self Service app portal support OneDrive sync. The OneDrive app from the Mac App Store does not support OneDrive sync.

Requirements 

• Must have a UCSF Office 365 email account
• OneDrive is installed on the system

Setting up OneDrive Sync on Windows (First-time logging into OneDrive) 

1. Open OneDrive and enter your UCSF email address.

   

    

2. Click Yes, all apps.

   

3. Click Done.

   
   
   
4. Go through the tutorial, and OneDrive Sync will be configured.
5. Congratulations! You have successfully set up OneDrive Sync on Windows. Please allow some time for OneDrive to sync your files.

Setting up OneDrive Sync on Windows (Already logged into OneDrive) 

1. Open OneDrive and go to Settings, Sync and backup, click Manage backup.

2. Enable Documents, Pictures, and Desktop and click Save Changes.

   
3. Go through the tutorial, and OneDrive Sync will be configured.
4. Congratulations! You have successfully set up OneDrive Sync on Windows. Please allow some time for OneDrive to sync your files.

IMPORTANT: If you experience an "unable to sync" error as shown below, please open a support ticket with the IT Service Desk.

Setting up OneDrive Sync on Macs (First-time logging into OneDrive) 

1. Open Self Service in the Applications > Utilities folder and login with your UCSF username and password.

2. Find the item called Back up folders with OneDrive and click on Install Configur...

   

3. If this description screen shows, review it first, then click Install configur... again to install the folder backup configuration with OneDrive.

   

4. Open OneDrive and enter your UCSF email address.

   

5. Login with your UCSF email address and password.

   

6. If your computer is not connected to UCSF's internal network or VPN, you will be prompted for Duo authentication.

   

7. Click Next on both of these windows.

   
   

8. Click OK.

   

9. When you see this screen, you have successfully set up OneDrive Sync for Mac. Congratulations! Please allow some time for OneDrive to sync your files.

   

Setting up OneDrive Sync on Macs (Already logged into OneDrive) 

1. Open Self Service in the Applications > Utilities folder and login with your UCSF username and password.

2. Find the item called Back up folders with OneDrive and click on Install Configur...

   

3. If this description screen shows, review it first, then click Install configur... again to install the folder backup configuration with OneDrive.

   
4. Congratulations! Once the installer completes, you will be able to use OneDrive Sync on your Mac workstation.

Known Issues

• OneDrive does not allow certain filenames or folder names.
  • Please refer to the Microsoft Documentation for the full list.
  • Restrictions and limitations in OneDrive and SharePoint - Microsoft Support
• Old OneNote Notebooks will not sync and will need to be converted.
  • You Move a OneNote notebook to OneDrive - Microsoft Support
  • Transactional/Database Files
• OneDrive sync doesn't recognize and sync these files if they are open.  
  • Outlook PST File will not sync correctly.  We recommend users not to use PSTs.
  • Please use this guide to import your PSTs to your Microsoft 365 mailbox.
  • Import email, contacts, and calendar from an Outlook .pst file - Microsoft Support

FAQs 

Sync with OneDrive - Microsoft Support

Enabling OneDrive Sync (Macs): Sync files with OneDrive in Macs - Microsoft Support

Enabling OneDrive Sync (Windows): Sync files with OneDrive in Windows - Microsoft Support