How to fix OneDrive no longer appearing in file explorer

Within your device, Microsoft OneDrive is the service that allows you to store all of your files. As a cloud storage, OneDrive means that you, the user, can access any content you have worked on, on any device, so long as you can connect that device to your own personal OneDrive space. 

OneDrive can be found in a multitude of different areas of your computer, but one of the most common places to look is the File Explorer. This is understandable, as the File Explorer will allow you to find essentially every application on your computer, including Microsoft OneDrive.

Sometimes though, you may find that your Microsoft OneDrive is not in your File Explorer, which would be a justifiable cause of an understandable confusion. Thankfully, there are numerous methods you can use when trying to rectify this issue, and there is a particular method that we will be discussing at length in today’s article.

The main way by which you can attempt to return Microsoft OneDrive to appearing within your computer’s file explorer is by logging out of your Microsoft account, logging in to your local account, and then re-entering your Microsoft account via the settings of your computer.

Now, if this sentence alone does not provide you with much clarity nor guidance in solving your issue, do not worry, as we will be going into far more detail than that sentence alone.

First, the article will offer you a step by step guide of the process you would need to undertake in order to resolve your issue. Whilst this may be enough for some, it is completely understandable if it is not for others. As such, we will then go on to break the explanation down further into a deep diving analysis. This will be complete with accompanying screenshots to further bolster your aid.

Quick Disclaimer: These steps and the following breakdown will be done as if the process were being completed on a Windows device, which is something worth noting just in case you are operating on another system.

Step by step: How to fix OneDrive no longer appearing in file explorer

  • Search for your computer’s ‘Settings’ in the navigation bar of your device.
  • After opening your Settings, you will be offered numerous brackets of options.
  • Of everything presented to you, click the subsection titled ‘Account’.
  • Within the account settings, you should be in a section of options named ‘Your Info’.
  • This is the area in which you will want to be.
  • Here, you will be able to see the details of the Microsoft account you are signed in to.
  • Under this should be an option, “Sign in with a local account instead”.
  • You will be offered the chance to enter your new local username and password, which you should do.
  • After entering your local account details, click ‘Next’ at the bottom of your screen.
  • After signing in to your local account, go back to ‘Accounts’ in the Settings panel and sign in with the Microsoft Account you had previously been using.

As was aforementioned, we will now delve deeper into the process in a complete walkthrough of the method.

So, you will first want to access the settings of your computer. Now, you may well have a shortcut in place for this, and of course you can use that if it works for you. If not though, there is a simple solution. Look at the navigation bar at the bottom of your computer. Within it should be a search bar, in which you can enter ‘Settings’. Click the first option that arises.

Unsurprisingly, ‘Settings’ will bring you to a dashboard, on which you can view every and any branch of settings within your computer. On this dashboard will be an option titled ‘Accounts’, and it is this that you will want to click. Should you need assistance finding it, it has been highlighted in the below screenshot.

After entering the account specific section of your options, there will be a listing menu to your left. A faint blue colour, the menu shows you the subcategories of your computer account settings. By default, it should be on a tab labelled ‘Your Info’, but in case it isn’t, it has been emboldened below should you need to use the image for guidance.

On the ‘Your Info’ tab, you should see your profile picture and name as the main features of the screen. Under this will be a small passage of text, as well as some options you can click. One of these options will read “Sign in with a local account instead”. Click on that.

Clicking on this will guide you to a login window. Enter your Microsoft account details to authorise the different account. After doing this and progressing, enter the details of your local account in the new window. After this is done, look to the bottom of your screen, where there should be a button, reading ‘Next’. Click this.

Doing this will sign you out of your Microsoft account. Now, you will be able to login to your local account.

After you have logged into your local account, you need to repeat some of the steps completed earlier in this walkthrough. Go to ‘Settings’, from there go to ‘Account’, and yet again make sure you are on the ‘Your Info’ tab.

Now, instead of having an option that reads “Sign in with a local account instead”, it will say “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead”.

Click this and complete the login process it offers you, and after doing this, you will have completed the process of logging out, and logging back into, your Microsoft account in the hopes that this will cause OneDrive to reappear in file explorer.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog, I hope you found it as helpful as you wanted it to be! As is the case with every article we publish, if you encounter any issues whatsoever when attempting to follow the walkthrough we have provided, or simply wish to share some thoughts you may have, please do not hesitate to get in contact with a member of our team.

Michael Fontana

Michael Fontana has been the managing director of telecoms and MSP Optionbox for over a decade and has worked in various telecommunication roles over the last 20 years. Michael has been involved in many exciting projects, such as co-founding telecoms and IT businesses and has now built up a team of more than 15 staff, serving over 300 clients nationwide. With a wealth of experience in IT and a passion for technology, Michael is now helping BTP to produce the highest quality guides on the internet. You can connect with Michael on LinkedIn.

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