How to Automatically Sync Files with OneDrive in Windows 11

About OneDrive in Windows 11

In Windows 11, the entries for Backup and Restore and File History have been removed from Windows 11 Settings, but you can still access them through the Control Panel. In addition, Microsoft has added OneDrive Sync to replace the Backup feature in Settings. OneDrive allows you to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, and once synced, you can log in to your OneDrive account on any device to access files directly. 

Windows 11 has integrated File Explorer and OneDrive, two of the most popular tools used by users, together. OneDrive now has its own "home" page in Windows 11 File Explorer. You can use this new menu to monitor sync status and storage usage in real time. If you make any significant changes to the OneDrive cloud storage service, they will be reflected in Windows 11 File Explorer as well. 

How to Use OneDrive in Windows 11 Settings

Next, you can follow the graphic tutorial below to learn how to use the OneDrive sync tool through Windows 11 settings.

Step 1. Click on the Windows Start icon and select the Settings icon (gear icon). Then, the Settings window will pop up.

Step 2. Click System > Storage.

Step 3. In the Storage page, unfold the Advanced storage settings and choose Backup options in the drop-down menu.

Step 4. Then, you will be brought to the Windows backup page. You can also arrive there through Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.

Step 5. On the Windows backup page, click on the Manage sync settings within the OneDrive folder syncing option. The folders you select will be protected and available across your devices.

Step 6. A new window will pop up. Within it, you can manage folder backup in Windows 11 OneDrive and decide which folders to be backed up. Selected folders will sync in OneDrive. New and existing files will be added to OneDrive, backed up, and available on your other devices.

Better Way to Perform Windows 11 OneDrive Sync

Since Windows 11 OneDrive's live sync takes up too much space, the free sync tool AOMEI Backupper Standard can help you solve this problem. 

Automatic sync: It can automatically sync local folders in Windows 11 with OneDrive in fixed intervals (Daily, Weekly or Monthly).

Multiple devices: It supports syncing local folders to OneDrive and other cloud drives like Dropbox, Google Drive, etc or other devices such as HDD, SSD, external drive, USB, etc.

Different operating systems: It supports not only Windows 11, but also all other Windows OS, such as Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista. 

If you don't subscribe to the OneDrive premium plan, the 5GB of free cloud storage will soon run out. In addition, OneDrive can only sync desktops, documents, pictures, and local files in OneDrive folders. If you want to sync unlimited files, then you can get unlimited space with CBackup. 

Then you can download this freeware and follow the graphic tutorial below (an example of syncing files to OneDrive) to sync folders easily in Windows 11. If you are a Windows Server user, you can choose AOMEI Backupper Server.

Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper Standard and click Sync > Basic Sync.

Notes: This software also provides other 3 sync features to meet your different needs. You can upgrade to the professional version or higher versions to enjoy them if you need.

Mirror Sync: It will keep the OneDrive directory the same as the source directory and any additional files in the target folder will be deleted.

Two-Way Sync: It will sync the changes in the source directory to the OneDrive directory and vice versa.

Real-Time Sync: As soon as the folder in the computer is changed it will immediately be synced to the OneDrive.

Step 2. Click Add Folder to select the folders you want to sync. To add multiple folders, click the + icon repeatedly and add all the folders that need to be synced.

Note:✎...

You can click the "funnel" icon to open the "Filter Settings" after adding the source folders. And this feature is available in the advanced version. You can upgrade to enjoy this function which can help you back up files with file extension and  can set up file inclusion/exclusion mask.

Step 3. Click the inverted triangle at the right edge of the second bar and choose Select a cloud drive.

Step 4. Choose OneDrive and click OK.

Note:✎...

If you won’t find OneDrive in the list, then go back to Step 3 and manually navigate to the OneDrive local folder by clicking the folder-shaped button in the second bar.

Step 5. Select Schedule Sync in the lower left corner and choose the appropriate sync frequency to fit your needs. After setting, the software will automatically backup your files to OneDrive according to this frequency. 

Notes:✎...   

The USB plug in option can automatically sync files from USB to OneDrive. And you can upgrade to the Pro version to enjoy it.   

Options: You can write comments for your synced files to distinguish them or set up email notifications to tell you when the sync task has been completed.

Step 6. Confirm your operations and click Start Sync.

That's all for Windows 11 OneDrive sync, with the help of AOMEI Backupper, you can complete this task in simple steps. Besides the Sync feature, you still can try File Backup or Cloud Backup to help you transfer files. And you can enjoy 1TB cloud storage in 15 days if you backup files to AOMEI Cloud with the Cloud Backup feature.

Summary

If you want to automatically sync files with OneDrive in Windows 11, the free sync software AOMEI Backupper Standard can help you. It not only automatically syncs unlimited files, but also syncs files to a specified location periodically based on the frequency you set to improve the security of your files.

Besides, it is also a good backup software, providing System Backup, File Backup, Disk Backup and Partition Backup functions to meet your different needs. You can download this software to discover more useful features.