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Drexel OneDrive

What is Drexel OneDrive?

Drexel OneDrive is Drexel's only approved solution for security- and privacy-validated cloud storage, file creation, and file sharing. In Drexel OneDrive, faculty and professional staff can store, sync, and share any type of file with colleagues, or even with students through their courses. Each user account provides a total of 5 TB of storage space.

Drexel OneDrive is a dynamic application, which means it is an application that is continually in development. Screenshots and video recordings on this site may be slightly different than what you may see on your computer due to these constant changes.

Preparing to Use Drexel OneDrive

Prior to using Drexel OneDrive to manage your files, Drexel IT recommends evaluating your current file structure and identifying which files you would like to move onto OneDrive. We do not recommend moving your entire Documents folder from your local computer. 

Here are a few preparation suggestions:

  • Remove any special characters from file names (such as ~ " # % & * : < > ? / \ { | } . )
  • Limit your folder structure to no more than three levels deep.
  • Make note of where you may have copied the original file that you uploaded to OneDrive as it may become a duplicate file on your Hard Drive.

How to Access Drexel OneDrive

Web Portal

To access the Drexel OneDrive Web portal, sign in with your Drexel credentials at https://portal.office.com and click the "OneDrive" tile.

Please do not click on the Client install link within the OneDrive for Business portal page, as it is not the customized Drexel version.

Desktop Sync Client

The Desktop Sync client allows for files saved on Drexel OneDrive also to be available on a local computer. This application will constantly run on your computer to keep your Drexel OneDrive updated in real-time. 

Remember, if you sync your Drexel OneDrive to your local computer, you must have the equivalent space available on your local hard drive to accommodate the local copies of your files. The sync client will allow you to pick and choose which folders or files are synced between your computer and the cloud.

Drexel IT will only support sync clients installed on Drexel-owned computers that are downloaded via the proper methods below:

Installation Instructions for PC

Installation Instructions for Mac

Special Note: File Syncing

Where Did All My Hard Drive Space Go?

When you use the OneDrive sync client, your synced files are stored in two places: in the cloud, and on your local machine in the "OneDrive - drexel.edu" folder. Files put in to the local OneDrive folder are copied up to the cloud for storage in your Drexel OneDrive account (accessible via the web client). Files in the local folder count toward your remaining hard drive space, while folders in the cloud count toward your Drexel OneDrive account's storage allotment (currently 5 TB).

If you copied a file from another part of your hard drive into the "OneDrive - drexel.edu" folder, then you've really got three copies taking up space. It's easy to see how space on your local hard drive can diminish at an alarming rate when files are copied (instead of moved) to new folders, and files from the OneDrive web client are synced back to your computer. This is why an important step in using OneDrive is to plan your folder/file structure early and track where files actually live.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between OneDrive for Business and Personal?

OneDrive for Business and OneDrive for Personal are separate applications with separate sign-in pages and credentials. OneDrive for Business is Drexel's approved file-syncing and sharing application for faculty and professional staff on Drexel-owned machines, while OneDrive for Personal is simply that--file-syncing and sharing for personal, non-work use. Do NOT sync Drexel folders or files to OneDrive for Personal, as doing so can compromise information security!

Note: If you install the Drexel sync client for OneDrive for Business, you might see two folders created: OneDrive - drexel.edu and OneDrive - Personal. OneDrive for Business' folder is the former. The latter's appearance does not necessarily mean you have OneDrive for Personal activated.

Why do I see blue and white cloud icons in my taskbar?

Windows 10 comes with the Personal OneDrive Sync Client installed by default. This icon is denoted by a white cloud (grayed out when not signed in). OneDrive for Business is under the blue cloud icon. Drexel IT will only support the OneDrive for Business Sync Client (blue cloud icon).

I'm setting up my OneDrive Sync Client and am being asked for the path to a SharePoint Library. Where can I find this?

If you're being prompted for a SharePoint Library URL, then you most likely do not have the correct OneDrive Client installed. Please follow the instructions provided for PC or Mac, otherwise contact the Help Desk at 215.895.2020 or helpdesk@drexel.edu for assistance. Please include your Computer Name in your support request.

What is Office 365 and how does it relate to OneDrive for Business?

Office 365 is a web-based version of Microsoft's Office suite, and contains all of the suites' familiar apps and most-used functions. Office 365 apps are integrated with other Microsoft cloud services, such as SharePoint and OneDrive, and can be accessed directly in those services. However, as a web-based suite that requires a browser, Office 365 can only be accessed while connected to a network and might not include some of the functionality of a desktop Office suite.

Office 365 is available to all students, faculty, and professional staff, and installation is voluntary.

If you do not wish to install Office 365, you can still install and use OneDrive separately.

If you have any previous installations of Office on your computer, such as Office 2013, installation of Office 365 will uninstall and replace those those older versions.

Can I drag and drop folders/files into the OneDrive web client?

You can drag-and-drop files into OneDrive; but currently, only Chrome enables you to drag-and-drop folders that contain content. If you use another browser, create a folder or folders in OneDrive and then you can drag-and-drop your files easily.

What types of files can be uploaded?

Most file type can be stored in OneDrive for Business (future restrictions may apply). This feature is especially useful for faculty who would like to share non-media files with students in their courses.

What is the maximum file size that I can upload to OneDrive?

At this time, 10 GB is the maximum file size that can be uploaded. Anything larger will not sync via the OneDrive sync client or through the web client.

Where did all my hard drive space go?

When you use the OneDrive sync client, your synced files are stored in two places: in the cloud, and on your local machine in the OneDrive folder. Files copied into the local OneDrive folder send a copy up to the cloud for storage in your OneDrive account (accessible via the web client). Files in the local folder count toward your remaining hard drive space, while folders in the cloud count toward your OneDrive account's storage allotment (currently 1 TB).

If you copied a file from another part of your hard drive into the OneDrive folder, then you've really got three copies taking up space. It's easy to see how space on your local hard drive can diminish at an alarming rate when files are copied (instead of cut) into new folders, and files from the OneDrive web client are synced back to your computer. This is why an important step in using OneDrive is to plan your folder/file structure early and track where files actually live.