How to Automatically Sync Windows Server with OneDrive

Reasons to Sync Windows Server to Onedrive

Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage that allows users to store files and folders in the cloud. With it, files can be accessed from a web browser or a mobile device, synced to a PC, shared with the public or with specific people.

In conclusion, many users want to sync Windows Server with OneDrive for two reasons:

• Ensure data security. Syncing files from Server to cloud storage is one of the best ways to protect data safe. It can be used as a data protection or even system protection measure.

• Access files on any device. If you tend to use more than one computer or device like a tablet, then keeping your documents in sync is a great way to make sure you can find the data you want from anywhere.

With OneDrive, you can easily view and access your files on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Keep reading and learn how to sync Windows Server with OneDrive effortlessly.

Can OneDrive Run on Windows Server? Answered

To sync a PC with OneDrive, the first step is to download the OneDrive app for your platform. Some users may wonder, can OneDrive client run on Windows Server?

Typically, YES. As stated in OneDrive system requirements page, the minimum requirements for running OneDrive is:

✍That is to say, the OneDrive desktop app is avaialbe on Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2012 (including R2), as long as the other requirements are met.

If your system is not supported, or have problem installing the client, please turn to OneDrive web browsers.

Or you can try an alternative to OneDrive on Windows Server - the cloud backup feature in AOMEI Backupper.

Hassle-free cloud backup

Backup personal & home files, business data, etc. to AOMEI Cloud automatically. Suitable for Windows Server 2003 - 2022 (including R2).

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Windows Server & PCs

How to Use OneDrive on Your PC to Sync Windows Server

After you download OneDrive desktop app on Windows Server, you can sign in with your Microsoft account, and open OneDrive folder from the app. Normally, there are 2 ways you can utilize OneDrive app to sync Windows Server data.

Way 1. Drag and Drop Files to OneDrive Folder on Your Server

OneDrive folder has a two-way sync feature, with it, you can sync files and folders to OneDrive cloud storage account easily. When you delete files from OneDrive folder, also, they are deleted from cloud storage account.

To get started, just drag and drop any file into this folder. When it's done, this blue icon will turn into a green check mark. Files that have been successfully synced to the cloud can be accessed very easily on any other device where you have OneDrive installed.

Way 2. Setup Automatic OneDrive Sync with Properties Feature

Although it is easy to drag files to OneDrive folder, it is still a lot of trouble to manually put files as data change quite frequently. If you use OneDrive for Business sync, it is even more troublesome as data changes more frequently. So, is there any way to setup OneDrive to automatically sync server 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022?

As a matter of fact, if you set your "Documents" folder location on your PC to be your OneDrive location, everything saved in this folder will be synchronized with the cloud. Here's how to run Windows Server backup to OneDrive:

• Right-click on the documents folder in the file explorer, and choose Properties.
• In the Properties window, choose the location tab, then choose move.
• Double click OneDrive, select the documents folder inside, and choose "select folder" when it's highlighted.
• Once done, hit OK.

Now all the files in the "Documents" folder will be saved on OneDrive, so you never have to worry about losing your documents.

Auto Sync All Files in Windows Server to OneDrive with Effective Tool

The folder properties feature is useful to sync personal files and folders. However, when you apply this method to folders in C drive, you’ll find there is no Location option after clicking Property. It means you cannot set up OneDrive to automatically sync files in it.

To sync all files in Windows Server to OneDrive, it's wise to use professional software like AOMEI Backupper Server. It is a professional OneDrive folder sync tool for Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022 and its R2 version.

Its Sync feature gives you several methods to sync any new or changed files continuously. Below are some useful features you may use while syncing:

✔ File sync. Choose from “Basic Sync”, “Mirror Sync”, “Two-Way Sync” and “Real-Time Sync” based on your needs.

✔ Schedule sync. You can sync files in Windows Server daily, weekly, monthly to keep them safe and up to date.

✔ Supported OS. Besides Windows Server 2003/2008/2008 R2/2012/2012 R2/2016/2019/2022/etc, AOMEI Backupper Server also supports Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, Windows Vista and XP.

✔ Various targets. Besides OneDrive, it can also synchronize files to other locations, such as, external hard drive, USB flash drive, NAS, network share, other cloud service (Google Drive and Dropbox), etc.

With this feature, you can spare time and efforts to sync OneDrive with Windows Server. Let’s see how to setup OneDrive to automatically sync Windows Server.

How to Run Windows Server OneDrive Sync Automatically

Before you start to do file sync, you need to sign up in OneDrive if you do not have an account of it. If you already have one, you need to sign in.

Detailed steps to sync/backup Windows Server to OneDrive:

1. Install and launch the software. Then it will bring you to the interface of AOMEI Backupper.

2. Click Sync and choose Basic Sync. To monitor any changes of your sync tasks and sync the changed files immediately when detected, you could try Real-Time Sync.

3. Click Add Folder and mount the folders you want to sync.

4. Click the right edge of the second bar > choose Select a cloud drive > select OneDrive cloud as destination path.

5. At the bottom, click Schedule Sync > Enable Schedule Sync to setup sync mode. After that, click Start Sync.

• Schedule sync: Continuously sync files to OneDrive on basis of daily/weekly/monthly.

• Event triggers: To sync files without interfering other operation, you could consider using "System Shutdown".

• USB plug in: To auto copy files when USB drive is connected, you could use "USB plug in". It does not require human intervention. 

Backup Server Files to AOMEI Cloud Automatically

Apart from the cloud drives offered by third-party providers, AOMEI offers users its own cloud - AOMEI Cloud. After you sign up for an AOMEI account, you can use 1TB storage for free within 15 days.

Conclusion

Syncing Windows Server with OneDrive is a good way to keep your data safe, it is even better when you use AOMEI Backupper to automatically sync Windows Server to OneDrive. With its “Schedule Sync” or “Real-time sync”, you can sync files without human intervention. Also, it keeps all your data up-to-date. This is very important, especially for users using OneDrive for business as a file server backup.

The only drawback is that you can only use AOMEI Backupper Server on severs. If you want to protect unlimited PCs and servers within your company, you may choose AOMEI Backupper Technician Plus. It offers unlimited billable technical services to clients. It also enables you to copy installation directory for portable version creation.