Table of Contents
OneDrive is an application that allows you to save your files to cloud.
Sharepoint is a cloud-based platform that we use for providing departments and groups with functionality akin to shared drives.
You will need to go through this process for each computer you need to access your Sharepoint files on.
Files may require some time to synchronize, and may not immediately show up on your computer.
For files you need to access before synchronization is complete, we strongly recommend going to the Sharepoint online website and accessing your files.
Installing the OneDrive App
The OneDrive client is installed on most computers provisioned by the Lerner College.
If are using a personal machine, a Mac or are running an older edition of Microsoft Office, or you simply want a standalone version of the OneDrive client, you can download it here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/download
- If you need assistance installing the client, please reach out to the Lerner IT team at lerner-support@udel.edu, and we’ll be happy to give a hand!
Sign in to OneDrive
Once installed, you’ll need to sign in to OneDrive with your University of Delaware email address and password.
- On your computer, search for the OneDrive application.
- On Windows, you can go to the Start Menu and search for “OneDrive”
- On MacOS, search for OneDrive in Launchpad, or in your Applications folder
- Once open, it should prompt you to log in. Use your full University of Delaware email address.
- For example: username@udel.edu
- You may be prompted to verify your log in.
- If you haven’t set up the Microsoft Authenticator, please refer to this guide to configure it:
https://services.udel.edu/TDClient/32/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=224
- If you haven’t set up the Microsoft Authenticator, please refer to this guide to configure it:
- When asked to back up files in OneDrive, you may choose to disregard this, as we use other software for managing backups of user data.
- Once signed in, the cloud icon should become blue.
Important Note
You may be asked to confirm your login to OneDrive roughly once every two weeks.
If you do not, your files may not synchronize to Sharepoint properly, or you may not see the newest versions of files.
When you are signed out, the OneDrive icon may show a grey cloud, or may have a line through it.
Synchronize your Files
Prior to synchronizing your files, you should have a link to the Sharepoint site you wish to access.
If you do not have this, please reach out to Lerner IT and we’ll be happy to provide it to you!
Quick Tip: For easy access to your Sharepoint site in the future, click the “Follow 
” button. This will allow you to quickly access any Sharepoint sites you’ve Followed from the main UD Sharepoint Portal.
- Go to the Sharepoint site and visit the Documents section.
- Once in Documents, click Sync
- You’ll get a popup in OneDrive asking if you want to open the link with OneDrive. You can allow this.
- The OneDrive app will walk you through synchronizing the files.
Once you follow these steps, you’ll see a new section called “University of Delaware – o365” added to your OneDrive folders. This will show the site name in the list, allowing you to access any files on OneDrive.
If, for some reason, you’re not able to synchronize your Sharepoint files, please reach out to lerner-support@udel.edu! We’ll be more than happy to assist with getting this process to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between “OneDrive – University of Delaware – o365” and “University of Delaware – o365”?
If you don’t see these two options, no worries! This is typically seen on Windows machines, but not always.- OneDrive – University of Delaware – o365 is for your personal OneDrive files. It is typically denoted by a cloud icon.
- University of Delaware – o365 is where Shared folders and Sharepoint files are shown. This is typically reserved for “Within your Organization” – this case being the University of Delaware. This option has icons that look like buildings.
- Will Sharepoint take all of my computer space?
- By default, no. OneDrive functions using “Files On Demand” which keeps your files in the cloud until you need them.
- By default, no. OneDrive functions using “Files On Demand” which keeps your files in the cloud until you need them.
- Do I need to use the UD VPN to access Sharepoint?
- No, but you will need Microsoft Multifactor Authentication.
- No, but you will need Microsoft Multifactor Authentication.
- Can I use this on a home or personal computer?
- Yes, but with an important caveat: Your computer needs to be up-to-date to connect to University resources.
- Yes, but with an important caveat: Your computer needs to be up-to-date to connect to University resources.
- Do I need an active internet connection to use OneDrive or Sharepoint?
- Yes. This will allow you to synchronize your files regularly.