OneDrive Installation Issue on macOS Ventura 13.7.8

Question

OneDrive Installation Issue on macOS Ventura 13.7.8

Shulgin Alexei 25

Good day,

Today I encountered a problem with OneDrive. It suddenly disappeared from my computer, even though I use it every day and all of my files are stored in the cloud.

I am using macOS Ventura 13.7.8. I tried downloading and installing the latest version of OneDrive directly from the Microsoft website, but I have been unable to complete the installation.

When I open the installer, I receive the following message:

"Microsoft OneDrive cannot be installed in this location. The Microsoft OneDrive installer does not allow this software to be installed here."

As a result, I cannot reinstall OneDrive or access my synchronized files through the application.

Could you please help me resolve this issue and advise me on the correct steps to reinstall OneDrive on my Mac?

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Have a great day.

Kind regards,

fred butler 5 Reputation points

2026-06-07T17:22:43.61+00:00

I had this happen same timeframe as you because MS seems to have updated something and Ventura is no longer supported after the update. (Mac OS 14.4 minimum on current download.)

I too had to do a little digging and came up with deleting onedrive from the applications and then reinstalling the older version 24.112 of onedrive.

Support will tell you to download from MS whatever the current package is but it fails to install on some setup of user permissions selection. Downloading from the app store seems to work until restarting the app and it just errors out and wants to send info back to MS.

I had so much trouble with onedrive about a year ago I had still retained the install package I used to correct the issue back then. it still works fine and I turned off automatic updates so they don't try again for now.

I'm not sure what Microsoft is doing with onedrive and why they keep obsoleting platforms that work fine. I'm really about done fixing things that shouldn't be broken in the first place... when this happens again I will move it off entirely.
Angel Barrio 0 Reputation points

2026-06-07T17:31:44.07+00:00

Hi Fred. Could you please provide a link to the web address where you obtained the older version from?

Better yet, would you be able to put the install package that works on your OneDrive and post a link to it?

Thanks

Angel
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Answer recommended by moderator

WF 15

I had the same issue with my macOS Ventura 13.7.8 and I tried all the suggestions that Kai-H provided, but they didn't work for me.

What finally worked for me was when I downloaded an older version of the OneDrive installer (26.055.0323.0004).

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Ian-T 8,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-11T02:55:23.7466667+00:00

Thank you for your contribution to this subject. Glad that you have found a workaround on this one
christian courraud 0 Reputation points

2026-06-12T02:25:16.78+00:00

Bonjour, pouvez-vous me donner le lien vers cette ancienne version ? Merci.
VG 0 Reputation points

2026-06-26T14:06:37.9666667+00:00

Thanks mate, that's a life saver. You as well @pixelakrobat
Terri 0 Reputation points

2026-06-26T23:22:58.1533333+00:00

Bless you pixelakrobat. Now how do we keep the update from happening and doing this again?
Matt C 0 Reputation points

2026-07-02T20:03:37.2733333+00:00

I am able to download and install the previous version on to a Ventura OS system. However, when I open this version of Onedrive, the programme sits on login and then seems to automatically updates itself to a newer, non-compatible version. Because it doesn't complete the login, I don't get chance to get in to the settings to try and prevent automatic updates. Any ideas?
Angel Barrio 0 Reputation points

2026-07-03T00:49:33.8833333+00:00

Hi Matt

You can turn off Microsoft's auto update feature in either Word or Excel; or you can delete the Auto update app in your library folder.

If you Google "Turn off Microsoft autoupdate Mac" you'll get results to show you how step by step.
pixelakrobat 15 Reputation points

2026-07-03T14:11:25.8733333+00:00
There is not only the MS autoupdate: OneDrive has its own version of updater. So you want to deny this.

You can use terminal commands on macOS to effectively stop OneDrive (and Microsoft’s update service) from installing new versions. It’s never 100% guaranteed, but in practice it’s “very safe.”

Below is a set of measures you can apply, depending on how strict you want to be.

1. Disable Microsoft AutoUpdate via LaunchAgents

Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) usually runs on macOS via LaunchAgents.

Open Terminal.

Check whether an AutoUpdate LaunchAgent exists:

ls ~/Library/LaunchAgents ls /Library/LaunchAgents

It often has a name like com.microsoft.update.agent.plist or something similar. 3. Once you know the exact name, you can unload it:

launchctl bootout gui/$UID ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist sudo launchctl bootout system /Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist

Optionally, rename the .plist files so they won’t be loaded again on the next boot:

mv ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist \ ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist.disabled sudo mv /Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist \ /Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist.disabled

This prevents the AutoUpdate service from starting automatically at all.

2. Make the Microsoft AutoUpdate app unusable

If MAU is installed as an app (often under /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0 or similar), you can “neutralize” it with Terminal.

Check the directory:

ls "/Library/Application Support/Microsoft"

Rename the MAU folder or remove execute permissions, for example:

sudo mv "/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0" \ "/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0.disabled"

or more minimally:

sudo chmod -x "/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/Microsoft AutoUpdate.app/Contents/MacOS/Microsoft AutoUpdate"

Without a working MAU binary, OneDrive usually cannot download or apply updates.

3. “Freeze” the OneDrive app itself using permissions

You can also configure the OneDrive app so that nothing else can overwrite it by limiting write permissions.

Find the path of the OneDrive app (Standalone version):

mdfind kMDItemCFBundleIdentifier="com.microsoft.OneDrive"

For the Mac App Store version, the bundle identifier is com.microsoft.OneDrive-mac. 2. Assuming the app is at /Applications/OneDrive.app, you can make it read‑only:

sudo chown root:wheel /Applications/OneDrive.app sudo chmod -R a-w /Applications/OneDrive.app

This way, no regular process can overwrite the app without using sudo.

If you later want to change or uninstall it yourself, restore write permissions:

sudo chmod -R u+w /Applications/OneDrive.app sudo chown -R "$USER":staff /Applications/OneDrive.app

4. Extra protection: Rename the OneDrive app

To prevent a future installer from blindly overwriting /Applications/OneDrive.app, you can rename the app:

sudo mv /Applications/OneDrive.app /Applications/OneDrive-26.055.app

Many installers specifically look for OneDrive.app. If they don’t find it, they will install a new version alongside your renamed legacy app, which makes it easy for you to spot and remove the new version while keeping your old one intact.

5. Practical limits

Microsoft does not provide an official switch like “never update this version,” especially not for unsupported macOS versions.

By combining

unloading/renaming the LaunchAgents,

disabling the MAU binary, and

write‑protecting or renaming the OneDrive app, you can in practice achieve the goal that your installed version does not update itself.

1 additional answer

Your answer

fred butler 5 Reputation points

2026-06-07T17:22:43.61+00:00

I had this happen same timeframe as you because MS seems to have updated something and Ventura is no longer supported after the update. (Mac OS 14.4 minimum on current download.)

I too had to do a little digging and came up with deleting onedrive from the applications and then reinstalling the older version 24.112 of onedrive.

Support will tell you to download from MS whatever the current package is but it fails to install on some setup of user permissions selection. Downloading from the app store seems to work until restarting the app and it just errors out and wants to send info back to MS.

I had so much trouble with onedrive about a year ago I had still retained the install package I used to correct the issue back then. it still works fine and I turned off automatic updates so they don't try again for now.

I'm not sure what Microsoft is doing with onedrive and why they keep obsoleting platforms that work fine. I'm really about done fixing things that shouldn't be broken in the first place... when this happens again I will move it off entirely.
Angel Barrio 0 Reputation points

2026-06-07T17:31:44.07+00:00

Hi Fred. Could you please provide a link to the web address where you obtained the older version from?

Better yet, would you be able to put the install package that works on your OneDrive and post a link to it?

Thanks

Angel
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Ian-T 8,920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-11T02:55:23.7466667+00:00

Thank you for your contribution to this subject. Glad that you have found a workaround on this one
christian courraud 0 Reputation points

2026-06-12T02:25:16.78+00:00

Bonjour, pouvez-vous me donner le lien vers cette ancienne version ? Merci.
VG 0 Reputation points

2026-06-26T14:06:37.9666667+00:00

Thanks mate, that's a life saver. You as well @pixelakrobat
Terri 0 Reputation points

2026-06-26T23:22:58.1533333+00:00

Bless you pixelakrobat. Now how do we keep the update from happening and doing this again?
Matt C 0 Reputation points

2026-07-02T20:03:37.2733333+00:00

I am able to download and install the previous version on to a Ventura OS system. However, when I open this version of Onedrive, the programme sits on login and then seems to automatically updates itself to a newer, non-compatible version. Because it doesn't complete the login, I don't get chance to get in to the settings to try and prevent automatic updates. Any ideas?
Angel Barrio 0 Reputation points

2026-07-03T00:49:33.8833333+00:00

Hi Matt

You can turn off Microsoft's auto update feature in either Word or Excel; or you can delete the Auto update app in your library folder.

If you Google "Turn off Microsoft autoupdate Mac" you'll get results to show you how step by step.

Answer 1

Kai-H 25,090 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi, Shulgin Alexei

This usually happens when macOS still sees old OneDrive installation records or leftover OneDrive folders, even if the app itself has disappeared. It can also happen if the installer is being launched from a folder managed by iCloud, Dropbox, or another sync/backup service.

Here are some suggestions you can try:

First, move the OneDrive installer file out of Downloads. Put it somewhere simple, such as a temporary folder directly under your user folder, then open it from there. It is suggested that this can help when macOS Installer refuses a package because the file is sitting in a synced or protected location.

Next, check for hidden leftovers. In Finder, select Go, then Go to Folder, and open:

~/Library/CloudStorage

If you see old OneDrive folders there, move them to the Trash. Also check:

~/Library/Group Containers/

~/Library/Containers/

and remove folders that clearly mention OneDrive or Microsoft OneDrive. Restart the Mac afterward.

If you are comfortable using a helper app, it is recommended that you use AppCleaner to remove OneDrive completely, then restart and install again. This often catches hidden files that dragging the app to Trash misses.

Note: This information is provided as a convenience to you. The app is not controlled by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any suggestions from the above app.

Also open Disk Utility, select the internal drive, and confirm the format is APFS, not case-sensitive APFS. OneDrive can fail on unsupported or case-sensitive locations.

If the standalone installer still gives the same message, try installing OneDrive from the Mac App Store instead. Since Ventura 13 is still within the OneDrive support range, this may bypass the package installer issue.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment."

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Angel Barrio 0 Reputation points

2026-06-07T12:44:33.1366667+00:00
I have exactly the same problem! I have a 2017 MacBook Pro and also running Ventura 13.7.8. I've had a Microsoft 365 subscription since it was first introduced.

About 24 hrs ago, the OneDrive icon disappeared from my top menu bar. The OneDrive app icon in my the Applications folder changed to a square with a circle in it and in trying to open it come up with a message a long the lines of "This version of Ondrive is not compatible with your computer". I deleted it and tried:

Downloading and installing the latest version of OneDrive directly from the Microsoft website and got the same "Microsoft OneDrive cannot be installed in this location..." error message.

Running the version from the App Store and got the message "OneDrive can't start. There's a problem with the application files. Please download the application on this computer and try again."

I copied the OneDrive.pkg file to the desktop, created a folder called OneDriveTemp and ran the following terminal commands:

pkgutil --expand-full ~/Desktop/OneDrive.pkg ~/Desktop/OneDriveTemp and got the message "Could not unarchive /Users/angelbarrio/Desktop/OneDrive.pkg (The operation couldn’t be completed. File exists)."

sudo installer -pkg ~/Desktop/OneDrive.pkg - target ~/Desktop/OneDriveTemp and got the message "Cannot install on volume / because it is disabled. macOS version 14.4 or later is required."

After 4 hours with 4 different Apple Care senior consultants (Clare, Dereck, Randal, and Ian), I've done all 4 steps above at least twice after:

Creating a new user.

Restarting in safe mode.

Reinstalling the latest MacOS for my machine being the one stated above.

Installing the latest MacOS on clean partitions using APFS and APFS Case Sensitive.

Deleting all hidden Onedrive files and folders that get created in my user library folder each time the OneDrive app from the App Store is downloaded and opened.

Every attempt came up with the 4 error messages above.

Are you able to provide access to a OneDrive.pkg file that will work on my machine or provide some other advice?

With thanks

Angel
Kai-H 25,090 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-08T06:21:28.8633333+00:00

Hi, Angel Barrio

Based on what you found, this no longer looks like a normal local installation-location problem. The message from Terminal saying macOS 14.4 or later is required is the key clue. If the current OneDrive package really has that requirement built into it, then deleting hidden files, creating a new user, safe mode, or reinstalling Ventura will not make that installer work.

There was also a recent issue with the Mac App Store version of OneDrive where version 26.078 failed to start because of application bundle/signing problems. That would explain the ‘problem with the application files’ message, but it does not necessarily explain the standalone installer requiring macOS 14.4.

At this point, I would not recommend downloading OneDrive installers shared by other users, even if they say the file works, because there is no easy way to verify the package has not been modified. If you have a Time Machine backup from before the failure, restoring the previous working OneDrive app may be the safest temporary workaround. Otherwise, the practical options are to use OneDrive on the web, use another Mac that supports macOS Sonoma or later, or open a Microsoft support case and ask specifically whether there is an official OneDrive build for Ventura 13.7.8.

Please be advised that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, are not allowed to directly interfere with Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited solely to providing technical guidance on reported incidents, requests, or ideas.
Kai-H 25,090 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-08T07:00:30.8366667+00:00

Hi, Shulgin Alexei

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue.

Have you had a chance to check the replies provided?

Any update would be appreciated.
Angel Barrio 0 Reputation points

2026-06-09T15:07:44.5666667+00:00
Thanks Kai

It’s to some degree comforting to get confirmation that the issue lies with the current OneDrive install package AND the App Store version rather than my machine.

Re your suggestions:

I tried using OneDrive on the web for a few hours and it’s not (in any way) a practical option. Having to download stuff from the internet to then upload to OneDrive almost did my head in. Also web interface is not really designed for file management.

Using a Mac that supports MacOS Sonoma? No, I don’t have one of those in my bottom drawer nor wish to go out and buy one for no other need.

I didn’t think of trying to restore the OneDrive app from my TimeMachine backup and now that you mention it I’m surprised that none of the many people I spoke with at Apple over hours suggested it. Maybe there’s a reason for them not having done so?

In the end, I found a website that had an old version of the OneDrive installer package (26.063.0405) which I downloaded and has been working perfectly.

I'll open a Microsoft support case as you suggested but I dare say that all they'll do is update their documented system requirements to advise Ventura is no longer supported.... if that.
Kai-H 25,090 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-10T06:34:29.57+00:00

Hi, Angel Barrio

Thanks for testing all of that. This actually narrows the issue down very clearly: when Always create backup copy is turned off, Word saves and closes normally; when it is needed, the backup file is not updated. Since this also happens with a brand-new local .docx file, after resetting Normal.dotm, and with Word fully updated, this does not look like a document-conversion, cache, or permission problem anymore.

For now, I would leave Always create backup copy turned off, because it appears to be the trigger. To avoid data loss, use Time Machine, manual duplicate copies, or save important working files to a versioned location such as OneDrive if that fits your workflow.

Please submit this through Word > Help > Feedback > Report a Problem, and include the exact test result you posted here. That is useful evidence because it shows the backup-copy feature itself is the likely trigger. Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors, including external Microsoft employees, are not allowed to directly interfere with Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited solely to providing technical guidance on reported incidents, requests, or ideas.
Angel Barrio 0 Reputation points

2026-06-11T11:26:49.0933333+00:00

I think this was meant for someone else.

OneDrive Installation Issue on macOS Ventura 13.7.8

1. Disable Microsoft AutoUpdate via LaunchAgents

2. Make the Microsoft AutoUpdate app unusable

3. “Freeze” the OneDrive app itself using permissions

4. Extra protection: Rename the OneDrive app

5. Practical limits

1 additional answer

Your answer