Upload photos and files to OneDrive

You can add files to OneDrive in many different ways and then get to them from anywhere.

Your browser does not support video. Install Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash Player, or Internet Explorer 9.

Using the OneDrive website

Depending on the web browser you use, you can upload files up to 250GB in size. (This limit is per file, not total.)

Note: For transferring large files or lots of files, we recommend adding the files to the OneDrive desktop app rather than using the Upload button on the website.

  1. On the OneDrive website, sign in with your Microsoft account, and then browse to the location where you want to add the files.

  2. Select Upload.

    Upload files or pictures in OneDrive

  3. Select the files you want to upload, and then select Open.

Tips: 

  • You can also drag files from File Explorer or Mac Finder straight to your files on the OneDrive website.

  • In the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser, you can also upload folders from the Folder option on the Upload menu, or drag folders to the website.

  • Learn ways to organize and find photos in OneDrive.

Using File Explorer or Mac Finder to copy or move files to OneDrive

You can copy or move files between folders within OneDrive, or from other folders on your computer. (When you move files from other folders on your computer into a OneDrive folder, you're removing them from your computer and adding them to OneDrive.)

For both File Explorer and Mac Finder, if you want to copy the item rather than move it, right-click the file or folder and select Copy, then open the OneDrive folder (or sub-folder) and right-click > Paste a copy of the item to OneDrive.

To move a file using Windows File Explorer, drag files from the file list in the right pane to OneDrive in the left pane.

Shot of moving file into different folder in OneDrive.

To move a file using Mac Finder, drag files from the file list in the right pane to OneDrive in the left pane (if you have OneDrive listed there under Favorites). After a moment, Finder will switch to show your existing OneDrive files and folders in the right pane, and you can drag the file into the sub-folder of your choice.

Mac Finder window showing drag-and-drop to move files

In Windows 10 or 11

In new installations of Windows 10 or 11 for many eligible users, files save to OneDrive by default in Windows 10, rather than to your PC. This means you can access those files from any device that can connect to the Internet, and they are protected in case your computer is ever damaged. You can change your default save setting anytime. Learn how to set where your files are saved or move your files to OneDrive.

You can save directly to OneDrive from Microsoft Office files (like Word docs and Excel worksheets), PDFs, and other documents. If your PC has a built-in camera, you can automatically save copies of the photos you take directly to OneDrive so you’ll always have a backup. To make sure your PC is set up to save automatically, check your OneDrive settings.

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  2. For documents, select OneDrive, and then turn on Save documents to OneDrive by default.

  3. For photos, select Camera roll, and then choose Upload photos at good quality, or for higher resolution copies, choose Upload photos at best quality.

When you move files, you're removing them from your PC and adding them to OneDrive.

  1. Select the arrow next to OneDrive and choose This PC.

  2. Browse to the files you want to move, and then swipe down on them or right-click them to select them.

  3. Select Cut.

  4. Select the arrow next to This PC and choose OneDrive to browse to a folder in your OneDrive.

  5. Swipe in from the top or bottom edge of the screen or right-click to open the app commands, and then select Paste.

Using the OneDrive desktop app

If you have a Mac, you can install the free OneDrive desktop app to upload files and folders to OneDrive automatically. Files you upload using the desktop app can be up to 20GB in size.

Using a mobile app

You can upload files to OneDrive using the OneDrive mobile app for Android, iOS, or Windows Phone. To learn how, see:

From Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365

In any Office document, select File > Save As, choose your OneDrive, and then pick the folder where you want to save the file.

Saving a file from Word to OneDrive for Business

Notes: 

  • Microsoft might limit the number of files that you can upload to OneDrive each month.

  • Please respect copyright and be careful what you share online. Copying or sharing unauthorized materials violates the Microsoft Services Agreement.

Need more help?

Contact support icon

Contact Support For help with your Microsoft account and subscriptions, visit Account & Billing Help.

For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option.

Work or school badge

Admins Admins should view Help for OneDrive Admins, the OneDrive Tech Community or contact Microsoft 365 for business support.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.