Step-by-Step Guide- How to Access and View OneDrive Shared Files Directly in Windows Explorer

How do I view OneDrive shared files in Explorer?

In today’s digital age, cloud storage has become an essential part of our lives, and OneDrive is one of the most popular cloud storage services offered by Microsoft. OneDrive allows users to store, sync, and share files across multiple devices. However, many users often find it challenging to view shared files from OneDrive within their Windows Explorer. In this article, we will guide you through the process of viewing OneDrive shared files in Explorer.

Step 1: Accessing OneDrive

Firstly, ensure that you have OneDrive installed on your computer. If not, you can download and install it from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, you will see a OneDrive icon in the system tray (next to the clock) or in the File Explorer sidebar.

Step 2: Sign in to OneDrive

Right-click on the OneDrive icon and select “Sign in to OneDrive.” Enter your Microsoft account credentials to log in. If you have already signed in, you can skip this step.

Step 3: Show OneDrive in File Explorer

If OneDrive is not visible in your File Explorer, you can add it as a separate drive. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “View” tab in the File Explorer ribbon.
2. Look for the “Navigation Pane” option and click on it.
3. In the Navigation Pane, click on “Show/Hide” and then select “OneDrive.”

Once you have added OneDrive to the Navigation Pane, you should see it listed alongside other drives and folders.

Step 4: Navigating to Shared Files

Now that OneDrive is visible in File Explorer, you can navigate to the shared files. OneDrive has a specific folder structure, and shared files are typically located in the “Shared with me” folder.

1. In the Navigation Pane, click on “OneDrive.”
2. Look for the “Shared with me” folder and click on it.

You will now see a list of files and folders that have been shared with you.

Step 5: Accessing Shared Files

To access a shared file, simply double-click on it. This will open the file in its respective application, such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. If you want to save the file to your local drive, right-click on the file and select “Save As” or “Copy.”

Conclusion

Viewing OneDrive shared files in Explorer is a straightforward process once you have set up your OneDrive account and added it to File Explorer. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should now be able to easily access and manage shared files from OneDrive on your Windows computer.