by OneDrive Not Showing in File Explorer on Windows 11- Windows 11 builds in Microsoft’s cloud storage solution OneDrive for seamless integration. In some cases, users reported that OneDrive is not showing in File Explorer. In this article, let us look into some of the possible reasons and their solutions and walk through step by step process to get back the visibility of OneDrive.
Read: How to Fix Onedrive Stuck at Signing in
Read: How to Fix OneDrive Has Stopped Working Error?
Why OneDrive Not Showing in File Explorer
Before we delve into the solutions, let’s understand why OneDrive might not show up:
- Sync Settings: OneDrive sync settings determine which folders are accessible via File Explorer.
- Registry or Group Policy: Incorrect registry entries or group policies can impact OneDrive visibility.
- Software Conflicts: Antivirus software or third-party applications may interfere with OneDrive integration.
Step OneDrive Not Showing in File Explorer on Windows 11
1- Reset OneDrive Client
- Open Run (Win + R) and enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.
- Wait for at least 2 minutes. If OneDrive doesn’t open automatically, launch it manually.
- Alternatively, execute %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe from Run.
- If this doesn’t help, proceed to the next step.
2- Fully Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Terminate any OneDrive processes using taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe.
- Uninstall OneDrive:
- For 32-bit Windows 11: %SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
- For 64-bit Windows 11: %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
- In the Registry Editor (RegEdit):
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive.
- Remove folders with OneDrive numeric versions.
- Delete folders inside the Account directory.
- Restart your PC and install the latest OneDrive version from .
3- Whitelist OneDrive in Windows Defender Firewall
- Open File Explorer and search for “Microsoft OneDrive.”
- Click on the specific folder or file you want to whitelist.
- Add it to Windows Defender Firewall exceptions.
- Verify if OneDrive sync issues are resolved.
4- Set OneDrive as the Default Opening Location
- Launch File Explorer from the taskbar.
- Click the three-dot button on the toolbar and select Options.
- In the General tab, choose Home (default), This PC, or your OneDrive folder (ensure you’re logged in to OneDrive).
5- Check Group Policies
- Press Win + R and enter gpedit.msc.
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive.
- Double-click Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage and configure it accordingly.
Conclusion
To fix and bring back the sight of One Drive in the file explorer of windows 11 follow these steps. Understand that the integration of One Drive requires correct settings, registry entries and software compatibility. To have a smooth run with One drive, share this manual with others too.
