OneDrive for Business | FAQs

OneDrive for Business provides file storage online so that you can access your documents anywhere and on any device. Here are links to the most commonly asked questions, and answers.

Start using OneDrive for Business

Step 1 When your admin creates your username and assigns you a license you will receive an email with your OneDrive for Business login username and password.  

You can then sign in https://portal.office.com and click on the OneDrive tile to complete activation.  You can access your files stored in OneDrive for Business through any web browser, and you can even edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents online.

Step 2: Setup OneDrive on your computer
Next step is to install the Sync Client on your computer.  Click on the Sync icon and follow the instructions to install the client on your computer.  Once installed you will have a folder called OneDrive for Business in file explorer (or Finder on a Mac).  Any documents or folder you move into this folder will automatically be uploaded into OneDrive.  Any changes to you make to a file in this folder will also be synced to the file stored in OneDrive.

Watch the short demonstration video Sync OneDrive for Business to your computer to find out more.

Step 3: Setup OneDrive on your smartphone or tablet On your Android or iOS device, download the app from the Google Play store or AppStore respectively. Sign in with your username and password. You can now see all of your documents stored in OneDrive for Business and you can share them with other.

How do I manage my OneDrive users and licences?

You can add and remove licences and swap licences between users at stage. For example, when one of your team has left and a new person has started (and their mobile plan includes OneDrive) you will want to remove the user that has left and add the new user.

To add a user:

  • Sign in as admin
  • In the right hand menu, click on Users > Active Users
  • Click the + icon to add another user

To remove a user:

  • Sign in as admin
  • In the right hand menu and click on Users > Active Users.  Select the user you want to remove and click the Delete icon

To reassign a licence between users:

  • Sign in as admin
  • In the right hand menu, click on Users > Active Users
  • Select the user you want to remove the license from
  • On the left-hand menu, click the Edit link next to the Assigned license
  • Un-tick the license and click Save
  • Select the user you want to give the license to and add the license

Note: to check that you have enough licenses, click on Billing > licences in the right hand menu of the Admin page.

How do I set up privacy rules in OneDrive?

Administrators can restrict sharing so it can only be performed by users that have been created in your OneDrive for Business Account. To do this:

  • Sign in as admin
  • Click on External Sharing > Sharing Overview

How do I change my OneDrive passwords?

By default, you will be prompted to change your password every 90 days. If you have forgotten your password, you need to contact your company admin. To reset a user's password, you must be an administrator.

  • Sign in as admin
  • Select the user from the Active Users page
  • Click reset password
  • Enter your user's email address to send them a new password

As an administrator, how do I setup OneDrive? Before getting started, watch the video on 'What is OneDrive for Business' then follow the steps below.

Set up OneDrive for Business as an Administrator

  1. Sign in as administrator - Sign into the Microsoft Online Portal https://portal.office.com using the admin username and temporary password you received in the email notification from us (email notification is sent to the contact email address you have specified to us with the subject Welcome to OneDrive for Business)
  2. Setup your team:
    • After you have logged in you can click on the menu icon and then select the Admin tile
    • From the admin page you can add users and assign OneDrive for Business licenses
  3. From the menu on the left hand column, select Users > Active Users
  4. Click on the + icon to create a new user account

Troubleshooting issues with OneDrive

To help you resolve issues with OneDrive for Business, we recommend you got through the following steps.

Problems with files and folders not syncing properly

When you save a file to your OneDrive for Business folder on your computer, the file will automatically be uploaded to OneDrive for Business online. Any changes you make to the file should be synchronised with the file online. A green tick next to the file denotes that the file is in sync. If you are offline, any changes you make will be sync'ed next time you go online. A red tick next to a file will indicate that a file has not sync'ed properly with OneDrive for Business.

General OneDrive for Business issues

For more help with OneDrive for Business you can use the Microsoft Community website . This contains knowledge articles and frequently asked questions from Microsoft experts and users around the world.

Get started with OneDrive on the Microsoft website  >

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