OneDrive cloud downloads

Question

How can I download OneDrive files from cloud storage to a non OS SSD drive?

Answer 1

If you use the web browser method like AI said, you cannot select all and download in one batch. It’s got download limit so you need to break it into batches.

Also by default it will go to downloads folder. Browser will not prompt. You need to go to browser settings. Search for download and find the option about asking before download, turn it on first.

if you are using the app option to download, you need to reinstall app. When promoting where to install choose the external drive. Then the rest of the AI instructions can work.

Answer 2

To download OneDrive files from the cloud to a non‑OS SSD, first download them to the PC, then move or sync them to the desired drive. There are two main approaches:

1. Download via OneDrive website, then move to SSD
   1. Go to the OneDrive website and sign in.
   2. Select the files or folders to download:
      • Click the circle check box next to each item.
      • To select all files in a folder, click the circle to the left of the header row or press CTRL + A.
   3. At the top, select Download (or right‑click and select Download).
   4. When the browser prompts, choose Save or Save As and browse to a folder on the non‑OS SSD.
      • If the browser saves automatically to the default Downloads folder, move the downloaded files from Downloads to a folder on the SSD.
   5. If multiple items were selected, they will download as a .zip file; extract that .zip directly to the SSD.
   Notes from the documentation:
   • The Download button appears only when items are selected.
   • If multiple files/folders are selected, the browser downloads a .zip containing all selected content.
2. Use OneDrive sync client and set the OneDrive folder on the SSD If the OneDrive folder is configured to reside on the non‑OS SSD, any files you mark as “Always keep on this device” will download there.
   1. Make sure OneDrive is set up and signed in on Windows 11.
   2. In the notification area, select the OneDrive cloud icon → Help & Settings → Settings.
   3. Ensure Files On-Demand is enabled (for saving space) or configure as desired.
   4. In File Explorer, open the OneDrive folder. Right‑click any file or folder and select Always keep on this device to force it to download and stay locally available.
   5. To have the content stored on the non‑OS SSD, configure the OneDrive folder location to that SSD when setting up OneDrive, then use Always keep on this device. (The documentation describes how Files On-Demand works and how to control local vs. online‑only status.)

Once downloaded, files on the SSD will be accessible even when offline. If space is needed later and Files On-Demand is enabled, right‑click a file and choose Free up space to make it online‑only again.

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References:

• Download files and folders from OneDrive or SharePoint
• Sync files with OneDrive Files on Demand
• Overview of OneDrive in Microsoft 365
• Move files to a new Windows PC using OneDrive
• Use OneDrive on Windows 10 devices (Xbox, HoloLens, Surface Hub, or tablets)
• What does it mean if Windows isn't supported?