How to Upload to OneDrive (Web, Computer and Phone)

Getting files into OneDrive is the first step to having them backed up, available on your phone and easy to share. There are four ways to do it, and the best one depends on how many files you've got and where they are right now.

Four ways to upload to OneDrive

Method	Best for
OneDrive.com, Add new	A few files from any computer
Drag into the OneDrive folder	Everyday use, and large or many files
Save a Copy from Office	Word, Excel and PowerPoint files you're working on
OneDrive phone app	Photos, scans and files on your phone

How to upload on the OneDrive website

1. Go to OneDrive.com and sign in.
2. Open the folder you want the files in.
3. Click Add new.
4. Choose Files upload or Folder upload.
5. Select the files or folder and click Open or Select Folder.

Microsoft says folder upload works in Edge and Chrome. If you don't see the folder option, create a new folder on OneDrive first and upload the files into it.

How to upload by dragging into your OneDrive folder

1. Make sure the OneDrive app is installed and signed in (it's built into Windows 11).
2. Open File Explorer, or Finder on a Mac.
3. Drag files or folders into OneDrive in the left-hand pane.
4. Wait for the sync icon to show they're up to date.

The catch: for big uploads, skip the website

Uploading hundreds of files or a huge video through a browser tab is fragile. Close the tab, lose your connection or let the laptop sleep, and the upload stops. Microsoft recommends adding large files, or lots of files, through the OneDrive desktop app rather than the website's upload button. The app keeps going in the background and picks up where it left off if your connection drops.

How to save straight to OneDrive from Word, Excel or PowerPoint

1. In the Office app, choose File, then Save a Copy.
2. Choose OneDrive.
3. Name the file and pick a folder, then click Save.

If OneDrive isn't in the list, choose Add a Place, then OneDrive, and sign in. Saving to OneDrive also turns on AutoSave in many Office apps, so you stop losing work when the laptop crashes.

How to upload from your phone

1. Open the OneDrive app.
2. Tap the plus (add) button.
3. Choose to upload, then pick the files or photos.

To upload every new photo automatically, turn on camera upload in the app's settings. Be aware it can fill your storage quickly if you take a lot of video.

What you can upload

Microsoft says OneDrive can store over 300 types of files, from documents and PDFs to images, audio and video. Every file you upload counts towards your storage, so check how much space you have before uploading a big video archive.

If an upload gets stuck

• Check your internet connection and try again on Wi-Fi.
• Check you have enough OneDrive storage left.
• Rename files with unusual characters or very long names.
• Close and reopen the OneDrive app on your computer.
• Upload in smaller batches.

If you're moving photos from an iPhone to a Windows PC first, my guide to iPhone photos not showing up on a PC covers the step before OneDrive.

Organising files as you upload

Put files into the right folder from the start rather than dumping everything at the top level of OneDrive and sorting later. Create folders for clients, marketing and admin first, then open the folder you need before you upload. It takes seconds and saves a lot of tidying up. If you're sharing uploads with a client or collaborator, put them in a folder you've already shared, so they appear for the other person automatically.

Uploads and Windows 11

On Windows 11, OneDrive is already installed, so the quickest upload is often just saving into the OneDrive folder in File Explorer. Check the OneDrive icon on the taskbar to make sure you're signed in to the right account, especially if you use both a personal and a work OneDrive on the same computer.

My verdict

For a few files, OneDrive.com and Add new is quickest. For anything big, or anything you'll keep working on, drag it into your OneDrive folder and let the desktop app handle it, because that's what Microsoft recommends for large uploads and it survives a dropped connection. Save Office files straight to OneDrive to get AutoSave, and keep an eye on storage before big uploads. If you're choosing between cloud services, see my Dropbox alternatives guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep uploading if my laptop goes to sleep?

Uploads through the website stop. The desktop app picks up again when your computer wakes and reconnects.

Does uploading to OneDrive use my storage?

Yes. Every file you upload counts towards your OneDrive storage allowance.

Can I upload to OneDrive without the website?

Yes. Save or drag files into the OneDrive folder in File Explorer or Finder and they upload automatically.

How do I upload a folder to OneDrive?

On OneDrive.com, click Add new, then Folder upload, in Edge or Chrome. Or drag the folder into your OneDrive folder on your computer.

What's the best way to upload large files to OneDrive?

Microsoft recommends using the OneDrive desktop app rather than the website for large files or lots of files.

How do I upload photos to OneDrive from my phone?

Tap the plus button in the OneDrive app and choose your photos, or turn on camera upload.

Why can't I see Folder upload on OneDrive.com?

It works in Edge and Chrome. Otherwise, create a folder and upload files into it.

What file types can I upload to OneDrive?

Microsoft says more than 300 file types, including documents, images and video.