How OneDrive for work or school works in the new OneDrive sync app
Applies ToOneDrive (work or school)

Looking for information that explains how file sync works in the OneDrive sync app (OneDrive.exe)? You’ve come to the right place.

Note: This article describes how file sync works in the OneDrive sync app (OneDrive.exe). It does not apply to the previous version of the OneDrive sync client (Groove.exe).

How OneDrive file sync works

Have you ever watched your OneDrive sync app begin to synchronize documents to Microsoft 365 and wondered what was happening to the files, or where the content would be stored? This overview of the sync process is meant to supplement knowledge, help plan content migration, and inform you about OneDrive for work or school storage.

This article provides you insight into:

  • What services and technologies are used in the sync process

  • How the sync client handles changes that happen to files in Microsoft 365 or on the local client device

  • How storage and security happens on the back end

For more information, download the How OneDrive for work or school sync works PDF.

Learn more

Data Encryption in OneDrive for work or school and SharePoint

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