Overview

In Fall 2026, faculty and staff using UBalt-issued devices have the OneDrive application installed with file backups turned on for the Documents, Pictures and Desktop folders. Files saved to these folders will be automatically backed up to your University of Baltimore OneDrive. Additionally, OneDrive folders and files will be available on your device and will sync to OneDrive. This article reviews how to managing OneDrive syncing and back ups. 

Windows Devices

Open the OneDrive Activity Center

Locate the blue OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area.  You may need to Show hidden icons arrow  next to the notification area for the OneDrive icon to appear.

If the icon doesn't appear in the notification area, OneDrive might not be running. Select Start, enter OneDrive in the search box, and then select OneDrive in the search results.

The panel will show the sync status and the most recent files synced to your OneDrive. Double click on a row to open a file, or select the linked file location to open the location in File Explorer. 

For each file, the (...) menu provides options to open the file, share the file via sharing link, view the file in your web browser, or view the version history.  At the bottom of the panel, options are provided to open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer, Open your OneDrive in your web browser, or open your OneDrive recycle bin. 

Pause Syncing

Open Settings (gear icon).

Select Pause syncing  and choose a duration of 2, 8 or 24 hours. 

The sync status will be indicated in in the Activity Center and the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar. 

 

Manage Sync Folders

Select Settings (gear icon).

Under Account, select Choose folders.

Select folders you want to be available on demand on your machine. Unselect folders will stay on OneDrive but won't be available on your PC. Click OK to save changes.

Manage Folder Back Ups

Select Settings (gear icon).

Under Sync and backup select Manage Backup. 

The folders will be set to back up to OneDrive by default. Turn off the toggle to stop backing up the folder to OneDrive. Follow the prompts to select whether to store the files on OneDrive or on your PC. OTS does not recommend turning off folder back up. 

Manage Preferences

Under Sync and back up, use the toggle to pause syncing when the device is in battery saver mode or when the device is on a metered network. 

Under Advanced settings, options are available to limit the download or upload rate. Toggle on and set the rate limit to apply. This may be useful if you are backing up large files.

 

Mac Devices

Mac: Open the OneDrive Activity Center

On a Mac, locate the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar at the top right of the screen.

If the icon doesn't appear in the menu bar, OneDrive might not be running. Open Spotlight Search (magnifying glass icon or Command + Space), type OneDrive, and press Return to open it.

Click the cloud icon to open the Activity Center. The panel shows the sync status and the most recent files synced to your OneDrive. Double click on a row to open a file, or select the linked file location to open the location in Finder.

At the bottom of the panel, options are provided to open your OneDrive folder in Finder, open your OneDrive in your web browser, or open your OneDrive recycle bin.

Mac: Pause Syncing

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar and select Settings (gear icon).
2. Select Pause syncing and choose a duration of 2, 8 or 24 hours.

The sync status will be indicated in the Activity Center and on the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar. Syncing resumes automatically when the timer ends, or select Resume syncing from the same menu.

Mac: Manage Sync Folders

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar, select Settings (gear icon), then select Preferences.
2. Select the Account tab and click Choose Folders.
3. Select folders you want to be available on demand on your Mac. Unselected folders will stay on OneDrive but won't be available on your Mac. Click OK to save changes.

Mac: Manage Folder Back Ups

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar, select Settings (gear icon), then select Preferences.
2. Select the Backup tab and click Manage Backup.
3. Your Mac's Desktop and Documents folders will be set to back up to OneDrive by default. Turn off the toggle to stop backing up a folder to OneDrive. Follow the prompts to select whether to store the files on OneDrive or on your Mac.

OTS does not recommend turning off folder back up.

Mac: Manage Preferences

Mac does not include the battery saver or metered network options. Instead, the Preferences window provides the following:

Under the General tab, options control how OneDrive behaves when you sign in, and a Files On-Demand setting to save space on your Mac. All files remain visible in Finder, but files set to online-only require an internet connection to open.

Under the Network tab, options are available to limit the download or upload rate. Toggle on and set the rate limit to apply. This may be useful if you are backing up large files.

Additional Help Topics

View additional OneDrive support resources from Microsoft or contact the OTS Call Center at callcenter@ubalt.edu.