Exporting OneDrive (M365) Files to Your Computer (Windows & Mac)

Note: If OneDrive is not installed on your computer, download it from the official Microsoft site by clicking here and complete the setup before following the steps below.

This guide explains how to access your Microsoft 365 OneDrive files with the OneDrive desktop app on Windows and macOS, and how to copy them to your Desktop or another local folder.

Table of Contents

• Windows
• Mac

Windows – Copy OneDrive Files to This PC

Step 1 – Open OneDrive and Sign In

1. Click Start and type OneDrive, then open the OneDrive app.
2. If prompted, enter your Kean Microsoft 365 email address and sign in.
3. Once signed in, OneDrive will appear in File Explorer as a folder named OneDrive – <organization name>.

Step 2 – Confirm Your OneDrive Folder in File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer.
2. In the left sidebar, locate and click OneDrive – <organization name>.
3. Wait for the folders you need to show a green checkmark icon (indicates they are downloaded and in sync).

Step 3 – Copy Files from OneDrive to Your Desktop (or Another Local Folder)

1. In File Explorer, click your OneDrive – <organization name> folder.
2. Select the files or folders you want to keep on your PC.
3. Right-click and choose Copy.
4. In the left sidebar, click Desktop (or another local folder under This PC), then right-click and choose Paste.

• Recommendation: Leave the originals in OneDrive until you have verified all copies on your Desktop are complete and usable.

Step 4 – Verify Files Are Stored Locally

1. Temporarily disconnect from the internet (turn off Wi-Fi).
2. Open several of the files you copied to your Desktop.
3. If the files open without errors while offline, they are successfully stored locally on your PC.
4. If the files do notopen properly:
   • Reconnect to the internet.
   • In File Explorer, go to OneDrive – <organization name>.
   • Right-click the file or folder and select “Always keep on this device”.
   • Wait for the green checkmark icon to appear.
   • Disconnect from the internet again and try opening the file one more time.

Mac – Copy OneDrive Files to This Mac

Step 1 – Open OneDrive and Sign In

1. Open OneDrive from the Applications folder or via Spotlight search.
2. If prompted, enter your Microsoft 365 email address and complete sign-in.
3. Once signed in, OneDrive will appear in Finder as OneDrive – <organization name> in the sidebar.

Step 2 – Confirm OneDrive in Finder

1. Open Finder.
2. In the left sidebar, locate OneDrive – <organization name> under Locations or Favorites.
3. Click it to view your synced OneDrive folders and files.

Step 3 – Copy Files from OneDrive to Your Desktop (or Another Local Folder)

1. In Finder, select OneDrive – <organization name> in the sidebar.
2. Wait until the items you need show a solid green checkmark (available offline).
3. Select the files/folders you want to copy.
4. Press Command + C (or right-click and choose Copy).
5. In Finder, click Desktop (or another local folder such as Documents) and press Command + V to paste.

• Recommendation: Keep the originals in OneDrive until you have confirmed everything you need is safely copied to local storage.

Step 4 – Verify Files Are Stored Locally

1. Temporarily disconnect from the internet (turn off Wi-Fi).
2. Open several of the files you copied to your Desktop (or chosen local folder).
3. If the files open without errors while offline, they are successfully stored locally on your Mac.
4. If the files do notopen properly:
   • Reconnect to the internet.
   • In Finder, go to OneDrive – <organization name>.
   • Right-click the file or folder and choose “Always keep on this device” or “Make available offline” (depending on your OneDrive version).
   • Wait for the solid green checkmark icon to appear.
   • Turn Wi-Fi off again and try opening the file one more time.

Related Article

If you need emails migrated from OneDrive, please refer to this article.