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Installing, Signing into, and Syncing Microsoft OneDrive

Installing, Signing into, and Syncing Microsoft OneDrive

Through the University's Microsoft license, we are able to offer OneDrive to our students, staff, faculty, and adjuncts. With OneDrive, you can sync files between your devices and the cloud so you can get to your files from anywhere - your computer, your mobile device, and even through the OneDrive web application. If you add, change, or delete a file or folder in your OneDrive folder on your device, the file or folder is added, changed, or deleted on the OneDrive web application and vice versa. You can work with your synced files directly in File Explorer (PC) or Finder (Mac) and access your files even when you are offline. Whenever you are online, any changes that you or others make will sync automatically. This article describes how to download the OneDrive application, sign in with your Westminster account, and start syncing. These instructions can be followed on your Westminster-issued device and/or your personal devices. Please note OneDrive will already be installed on your Westminster-issued device.

Installing the OneDrive Desktop Application

  1. Navigate to the Westminster University Faculty and Staff Resources page or Current Student Resources page.

  2. Click on the purple “EMAIL” button near the top of the page.

  3. Next, click on the waffle menu/app switcher button at the top left.

  4. Click on the button that says “Microsoft 365”.

  5. Click on the “Install and more” drop down menu and select “Microsoft 365 apps”. This will install every app in the Microsoft 365 suite, not just OneDrive.

  6. Click “Install Office”.

  7. Open the downloaded file and follow the install prompts.

    1. If you are on a Westminster-issued device, you will be prompted for the admin password. Please call the Help Desk at 801.832.2023 for assistance or submit a Help Desk ticket to schedule a time for us to come enter the password.

  8. After install is complete, you can open OneDrive via the Start search menu (PC) or the spotlight search icon (Mac).

Syncing OneDrive with Your Computer Files

  1. Once installed, open the OneDrive application. You can open OneDrive via the Start search menu (PC) or the spotlight search icon (Mac).

  2. It should prompt you to sign in - do this with your full Westminster email address and Westminster password.

  3. Click Next through the first prompt.

  4. If you are on a PC, you will be asked if you want to “Back up folders on this PC”. We highly recommend you make sure each option is toggled on, then click “Start backup”.

  5. You can click Next through many of the following prompts until you reach the screen that says Get the Mobile App. Once there, you can click Get the Mobile App if you would like to download it onto your phone or tablet, or you can click Later.

  6. Click Open OneDrive folder when complete. You will now have a location in File Explorer (PC) or Finder (Mac) called OneDrive.

The IS department often gets asked if OneDrive is as secure as the network drive. The answer will ultimately boil down to the question, "How secure is your Westminster password?" However, it is important to note that your OneDrive folders have another layer of security with multi-factor authentication required.

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