How to change the default OneDrive folder location on Windows 10

When you're running out of space on your primary drive, use this guide to help move your OneDrive files to another location on Windows 10.

While you can choose from many cloud storage services, OneDrive remains the best solution for Windows 10 PCs, mainly because of its deep integration with the operating system that allows you to seamlessly sync your files across all your devices.

However, the OneDrive sync desktop client no longer offers the placeholder feature to let you access hundreds of gigabytes of files, while utilizing only a fraction of your computer's local storage. Instead, OneDrive uses selective sync that forces you to download all the files you want to have available on your computer.

The problem with selective sync arrives when you have a device with limited storage, or you're running out of space on your hard drive. However, there is a solution to overcome this limitation. You can relocate the default OneDrive folder to another partition or another hard drive with more available space.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to change the default folder location of OneDrive. In addition, you'll learn to move all the old content to the new location to avoid wasting time and unnecessary bandwidth syncing your files again.

How to relocate the OneDrive folder on Windows 10

1. Right-click the OneDrive (cloud) icon from the notification area and select Settings. (If you don't see the icon, click the arrow to view all the hidden icons.)

2. Click the Account tab.

3. Click the Unlink OneDrive button.

4. You'll now see the Set up OneDrive page, but don't try to set up your account just yet, as you want to move the content from the old to the new location. Relocating the content already available offline will help you to save time and bandwidth. Use the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
5. Click This PC from the left pane.

6. Navigate to the following path C:\Users\YourUserName and select OneDrive:

7. In the Home tab, click the Move to button, and select Choose location.

8. Select the destination to where you want to move the OneDrive files already synced to your computer. You can choose another partition, secondary internal hard drive, or even an external USB hard drive. (Just remember that it needs to be storage that will be connected all the time to your computer.)

9. Click the Move button.

10. Return to the OneDrive setup, enter your email or phone number associated with your account and click Sign in.

11. Enter your Microsoft Account credentials and click Sign in.

12. Click the Change location link.

13. Browse to the location you moved the OneDrive folder to and click the Select Folder button.

14. On the OneDrive prompt click Use this location to merge the files.

15. Click Next.

16. Select the folders and files you wish to sync and click Next to complete the task.

Now that you have changed the default location to store your OneDrive files to another drive, you'll be able to sync more content without worrying about running out of space on your main drive.

While this can benefit many users, you should consider changing the default location for OneDrive only in the event you really need to, and you must make sure the new drive doesn't fall into the wrong hands -- keep it secure.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help articles, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central