How to Reset OneDrive Sync in Windows?

The Microsoft OneDrive application lets you sync files and folders between your local computer and Microsoft cloud storage. The OneDrive client comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11 by default, and requires a Microsoft account or Microsoft 365/Azure subscription to use. The OneDrive client syncs your file in the background, but sometimes it doesn’t work properly.

It may look like this:

• Recent changes to your files in OneDrive are not reflected in changes to files on other devices or on the OneDrive website;
• A red X appears on the OneDrive icon in the system tray or notification area;
• The OneDrive app shows errors and warnings when syncing.

If you are experiencing OneDrive sync errors, we recommend that you first restart the application or temporarily pause syncing (Pause Syncing option) and resume syncing after a few minutes.

If you are experiencing sync errors in OneDrive, the most effective way to fix the problem is to completely reset OneDrive. After resetting OneDrive, the client will perform a full sync and re-download your files from Microsoft servers.

Before you reset OneDrive, you need to stop the working process. To do this, click the tray icon and select Close OneDrive.

Note. Check our tutorial on how to install OneDrive on Ubuntu and sync files to the Cloud.

If you are using the Microsoft Store OneDrive app:

1. Click Start and run the command apps:
   onedrive
2. Select App settings;
3. Scroll won and click Reset.

This reset removes the OneDrive client’s DAT file, logs, and OneDrive settings from the local drive.

If you’re using the OneDrive desktop app for Windows, you can use the hidden OneDrive.exe /reset command-line option to reset the configuration.

Open an elevated command prompt (as an administrator) and execute the command:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

Note. You can specify the full path to the OneDrive executable, depending on the bitness of your Windows:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe" /reset

Or:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe" /reset

A pop-up message will appear in the system tray after you run this command:

OneDrive is currently resetting.

Your OneDrive will close and restart now.

Then wait for the message to appear:

Reset completed.

Your OneDrive is as good as new.

You may need to sign in again with your Microsoft Account or Microsoft 365 (work or school) account.

After resetting, you must select the list of directories you want to sync with OneDrive.

Resetting OneDrive will return these settings to their default values.

A full sync can take a long time. This depends on the size of the files you store on OneDrive.

Note. Resetting OneDrive won’t delete files left over from previous syncs from your local drive and Microsoft cloud storage. All files will remain in place and will be synchronized to the target folders after the reset.

If you are still experiencing synchronization problems after the reset, check that the following policies are not configured or disabled in the local GPO editor (gpedit.msc > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > OneDrive):

• Prevent OneDrive files from syncing over metered connections;
• Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.