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OneDrive is not syncing all of my files

Vick 0 Reputation points
2025-10-16T09:55:46.22+00:00

Up until last week I just had a personal OneDrive folder and it had never worked properly in that it didn't update the backup. After taking some advice I decided to upgrade and purchase the Business Basic subscription in order I have a more reliable backup, but this is not syncing properly either. I have been trying for a week and have done everything I can think of including the unlinking then linking again, but it's still not working although the message in the blue cloud says all my files are synced. They are not. How do I get it to sync?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For business | Windows
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  1. Vick 0 Reputation points
    2025-11-01T11:22:13.4633333+00:00

    Thanks for all this, I actually ended up paying to have some expert help who has indeed really helped and I am up and running with everything synced, but I wouldn't have been able to do it without guidance.

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  2. Vick 0 Reputation points
    2025-10-24T19:16:06.5533333+00:00

    Hello many thanks for your answers. My laptop is only a month old so it was in the transfer from my old laptop to this new one, and I still had problems with OneDrive that has made me determined to sort it out and buy an upgrade to Business Basic. Previously I thought it was my laptop was just too old (it was 4 yrs old). However this new one should be good. I am using Windows 11. My OneDrive storage has only used 3%. I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting OneDrive. I have cleared my cache. However when I try and Reset as you advise above, I get this message so perhaps this is a clue?

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  3. Jeanie H 11,915 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-10-20T00:46:12.87+00:00

    Dear @Vick, 

    Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

    To clarify, your Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan includes web and mobile apps. It doesn’t include the desktop Office apps by default, but OneDrive syncing and local file access are supported. 

    May I please confirm, your files are still not syncing, correct? 

    While I check further, could you try these quick general steps first: 

    Reset OneDrive 

    This refreshes the OneDrive app without deleting your files. 

    • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. 
    • Paste this command:  %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset 
    • Press Enter. 
    • OneDrive will reset and restart. 

    Reference: Reset OneDrive - Microsoft Support 

    Clear OneDrive Cache 

    This removes temporary files that may be causing the error. 

    • Quit OneDrive completely (via system tray or Task Manager). 
    • Open File Explorer (Windows + E). 
    • Navigate to:  %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive 
    • Open the log folder and delete all files inside. 
    • Restart OneDrive. 

    Update or Reinstall OneDrive 

    • Ensure you have the latest version of the OneDrive client. 
    • If needed, uninstall OneDrive completely and reinstall it from your account. 

    Verify file name & path limits: Avoid invalid characters; keep file names less than or equal to 128 characters and folder paths less than or equal to 250 characters. 

    Please kindly help me check your storage quota in OneDrive web. If OneDrive is full, syncing will stop.  

    Additionally, could you let me know which operating system you’re using (Windows 10/11)? If you’re on Windows 7/8/8.1, note that OneDrive desktop syncing support ended in 2022. OneDrive sync app no longer supported on Windows 7, 8 or 8.1

    If Personal OneDrive was not syncing properly before, then the possibility of the error coming from your laptop is very high, not just an account or subscription issue.

    Please kindly help me try these basic steps first and answer the questions. This will help me diagnose the root cause. 

    Looking forward to your reply!  

    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.

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  4. Stefan Blom 340.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-10-16T10:25:36.7966667+00:00

    Which Microsoft subscription do you have? Microsoft 365 Basic won't let you edit files locally on your PC. That subscription only includes online editing and mobile access.

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