This article guides you in uploading and saving files or folders to OneDrive.

Find more information about Microsoft OneDrive and how it allows you to sync files across devices on the web page “OneDrive - How do I ...?”.

Recommendations:

• If moving lots or large files from your old filestore, we recommend connecting your computer to ethernet on site. 
• We suggest moving small chunks of files or folders per time if you want to move multiple files.
• Check the synchronisation status of your OneDrive Client or SharePoint (online) to be sure it has been uploaded. Find more information about OneDrive in the knowledge base article "Checking the Synchronisation Status of your OneDrive Client" and about SharePoint in the Microsoft Support article "Synch SharePoint files and folders".

 

Moving files from your filestore - Windows users

You can upload a file from your desktop or filestore by:

• Using the function “Copy to” or "Move to" to move your files. You can choose both options. The instructions below suggest copying/pasting the files into your new recipient and deleting them from your local disk, so you can check whether the process has been successful.  
• Dragging and dropping your files from your folders to OneDrive. 

Before deleting your files from the old location, please be sure that:

• Everything you need has been moved to OneDrive
• Everything has been synchronised to OneDrive. Read the article “Checking the Synchronisation Status of your OneDrive Client” for guidance. 

 

Windows 11 - Moving files from File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer from the Taskbar

2. Find the file or the folder you want to move

3. Select it

4. Select the button Copy from the toolbar

5. Select or create your recipient folder within OneDrive, then open it

5. Select the Paste button from the toolbar. Your file will be automatically copied to OneDrive.

6. Once the uploading process is finished, check if everything has been copied successfully, then delete the files / folders from your local storage.

 

Windows 10 - Moving files from File Explorer

Windows 10 users can upload their files from File Explorer following two ways:

• Way 1: using the "Copy to" button
• Way 2: using the right-click function

 

Way 1 - Using the "Copy to" button 

1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar 

(source of the image: Microsoft Support page) 

2. Select the file or the folder you want to move

3. Select Copy to from the Home menu

4. From the drop-down menu, select:

1. “OneDrive – University of Southampton”, if you want to upload the file in the main folder. Your file will be automatically copied to OneDrive.
   or
2. “Choose location”, if you want to upload the file in a specific folder.
   
   

5. Now, please:

1. 1. Select your folder or create a new
   2. Select "Copy". Your file will be automatically copied to OneDrive.

6. Once the uploading process is finished, check if everything has been copied successfully, then delete the files / folders from your local storage.

 

Way 2 - Using the right-click button

1. Open File Explorer from the taskbar 

(source of the image: Microsoft Support page) 

2. Select the folder(s) you want to move

3. Right-click on them. A new menu will appear close to them

3. Select the option Copy 

4. From File Explorer, select or create your recipient folder within OneDrive

5. Select Paste. Your file will be automatically copied to OneDrive.

6. Once the uploading process is finished, check if everything has been copied successfully, then delete the files / folders from your local storage.

 

Moving your files using the drag-and-drop option

Drag-and-drop is a method of moving or copying a file (or several files) using a mouse or a touchpad.

Even if it's easy to drag and drop groups of files or folders, please keep in mind that can be a risky action. You might accidentally move them to the wrong folder or add them by chance to a sub-folder you don't remember.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Move the pointer of your mouse to the object you want to move

2. Grab your file(s) by pressing and  holding them down

3. Find the desired location

4. Move the pointer of your mouse to drag the object

5. Release your mouse’s button to drop the object 

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Moving files from your filestore - Apple macOS users

You can upload a file from your desktop or filestore by:

• Using the mouse's function “Copy” to move your files
• Dragging and dropping your files from your folders to OneDrive. 

Before deleting your files from the old location, please be sure that:

• Everything you need has been moved to OneDrive
• Everything has been synchronised to OneDrive. Read the article “Checking the Synchronisation Status of your OneDrive Client” for guidance. 

 

Moving your files using the "Copy" function

1. Open your Finder

2. Select the folder(s) you want to move

3. Right-click on them. A new menu will appear close to them

3. Select the option Copy 

4. From the Finder, select (or create) your recipient folder within OneDrive 

5. Right-click and select "Paste item". Your file will be automatically copied to OneDrive.

6. Once the uploading process is finished, check if everything has been copied successfully, then delete the files / folders from your local storage.

 

Moving your files using the drag-and-drop option

Drag-and-drop is a method of moving or copying a file (or several files) using a mouse or a touchpad.

Even if it's easy to drag and drop groups of files or folders, please keep in mind that can be a risky action. You might accidentally move them to the wrong folder or add them by chance to a sub-folder you don't remember.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Move the pointer of your mouse to the object you want to move

2. Grab your file(s) by pressing and  holding them down

3. Find the desired location

4. Move the pointer of your mouse to drag the object

5. Release your mouse’s button to drop the object 

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Copy a file to OneDrive from Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint

1. Open your document

2. Select File

3. Select Save or Save a Copy

4. Then:

1. Select OneDrive – University of Southampton
2. Select Enter file name here and type a name. If you want to save to another folder, select Browse, and select the folder you want.
3. Select Save.

The next time you open the Office app, you'll see your saved file in the Recent list.

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How to upload and save files to OneDrive in your browser

You can copy your files and folders to OneDrive from your browser. You can connect to your network through an ethernet cable if you want to give extra speed to the process.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Sign in to office.com

2. Login with your university email and password

3. Select the app launcher icon , and then select OneDrive

4. Select the button Upload

5. Select Files or Upload, depending on what you want to upload 

6. Select the destination folder or create a new one

7. Select the files or folder you want to upload from your computer

8. Select Open or Select Folder.

Your files will appear in your destination folder. A notification banner will confirm your uploading:

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Related content

OneDrive - How do I ...?

OneDrive Personal vs University OneDrive

Storing Files

Checking the Synchronisation Status of your OneDrive Client

[external source] Synch SharePoint files and folders