Information Technology

Files that are created and saved into the OneDrive Sync Client automatically maintain a local synced copy on that computer in addition to the primary copy which syncs up to and resides in your OneDrive Cloud.  When you log into a different computer on the UWSP Network, that computer's OneDrive Sync Client displays those files and folders as online-only.  This means that the folder structure created on the shared computer's local Sync Client only points to the files stored in your OneDrive Cloud.  Synced copies of those files are not stored on the shared computer.

Just like files that you create on your personal work computer, files that you create on a shared computer save a synced copy locally as well as sync with your OneDrive Cloud.  You can tell because their File Explorer Status display a green circle with a check.

However when you log into your personal work computer, or even a different computer, a file not created on that computer displays a blue cloud Status indicating that that file is online-only.  It will open directly from your OneDrive Cloud, but a synced copy is not stored in your local Sync Client.

Look at the Status in File Explorer.

Sync Client files that are created on the local computer display a green circle with a check for their Status.  This means a copy of these files are stored locally as well as being synced with your OneDrive Cloud.

When you log into another computer, that computer's Sync Client syncs with your OneDrive Cloud Storage to give you an online-only view of your files.  An online-only file displays a blue cloud Status indicating that the file will open directly from your OneDrive Cloud, instead of from a local synced copy.

As a best practice, create new files and folders on your primary computer. 

Open your Windows File Explorer and find the online-only file that you created on a different computer.  Remember, online-only files display a blue cloud icon for Status.

Right-click that file and select Always keep on this device.

The Status will change to a green circle with a white check.  This means that you have changed the Status of that file so that a copy is synced locally.  When you open the file you will be opening the synced local copy instead of opening the file directly from yout OneDrive cloud. 

Yes. Setting the folder containing your class materials to Always keep on this device is a best practice in the event there is a brief network interruption.  If you regularly log into the same conference room computer and access a Sync Client folder during meetings consider setting that folder to Always keep on this device as well.  Files on Demand gives you the ability to set certain files and folders to Always keep on this device, yet not worry that the contents of your entire OneDrive Sync Client get copied to every computer where you log in.

Yes! Especially if you are working on a shared computer there may be no need to have access to your entire Sync Client folder structure - or wait for that entire folder structure to refresh each time you log in.

Instead, consider displaying just the folders you know you will use.

Here are some easy instructions from Microsoft on how to display only the folders you need, instead of all of your OneDrive folders.

For more information on the different OneDrive and Status icons you may see, visit this Microsoft Support resource.