Overview
Microsoft OneDrive is installed on all Dornsife-managed computers and can automatically back up important folders on your computer. The initial setup takes less than 5 minutes and ensures that an up-to-date copy of your backed up folders is stored in OneDrive. You can access this data through your OneDrive account even if your computer is unavailable.
OneDrive is approved for storing public, internal, and confidential data at USC, and its storage limit is 250 GB.
What to know before you begin
Do not turn off automatic backup once you set it up
Once you set up OneDrive for backup, avoid turning it off. Microsoft redirects your computer folders to OneDrive, so even if you turn off automatic backups, your computer folders will still be directed to OneDrive. (It's fine to pause automatic backups for as long as you need, just don't turn them off entirely.)
Backing up multiple devices or computers
If you are backing up multiple devices to OneDrive, be aware that OneDrive's default setup will combine contents across devices. What this means is that if you have two computers both backing up folders to OneDrive, then files from one computer will also appear on the other computer.
Setting up OneDrive to back up your Windows PC
OneDrive can automatically back up the following folders on a Windows PC:
- Desktop
- Documents
- Pictures
Step 1: Sign in to OneDrive and back up important folders
OneDrive is already installed on your Windows PC. To sign in:
Quick guide
- Look for and open Microsoft OneDrive:
-
Windows 11: Click the Windows Start
icon. In the search bar, type OneDrive.
-
Windows 10: In the Windows Start menu search bar, type OneDrive.
- OneDrive opens. Do not use the @dts.usc.edu account. Instead, type your @usc.edu email address and click Sign in.
- If prompted, sign in using your USC NetID@usc.edu and passphrase, and complete Duo verification.
- Click Next.
- For each folder you want to back up to OneDrive, click the toggle beside it. We recommend keeping all folders selected: Documents, Pictures, and Desktop. Click Start backup.
- Click Next on each prompt. When "Get the mobile app" appears, click Later.
- Click Open my OneDrive folder.
- OneDrive begins backing up your computer folders, and will continue to automatically back them up when your computer is connected to the Internet.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Look for and open Microsoft OneDrive:
-
Windows 11: Click the Windows Start icon. In the search bar, type OneDrive.
-
Windows 10: In the Windows Start menu search bar, type OneDrive.
- OneDrive opens. Do not use the @dts.usc.edu account. Instead, type your @usc.edu email address and click Sign in.
- If prompted, sign in using your USC NetID@usc.edu and passphrase, and complete Duo verification.
- Click Next.
- For each folder you want to back up to OneDrive, click the toggle beside it. We recommend keeping all folders selected: Documents, Pictures, and Desktop. Click Start backup.
- Click Next on each prompt. When "Get the mobile app" appears, click Later.
- Click Open my OneDrive folder.
- OneDrive begins backing up your computer folders, and will continue to automatically back them up when your computer is connected to the Internet.
Step 2: Keep files available offline
OneDrive uses a feature called Files On-Demand: files are stored online and are not downloaded to your computer until you open them. To keep your OneDrive files and backups available without an Internet connection, we recommend downloading them, space permitting:
Quick guide
- Click the OneDrive
icon in your System Tray. If you do not see it, click the Expand 
icon, then select the OneDrive icon in the expanded tray.
- Click the Gear
icon, and select Settings.
- In the left menu, select Sync and backup.
- Click Advanced settings.
- Click Download all files.
- Click Continue.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Click the OneDrive icon in your System Tray. If you do not see it, click the Expand icon, then select the OneDrive icon in the expanded tray.
- Click the Gear icon, and select Settings.
- In the left menu, select Sync and backup.
- Click Advanced settings.
- Click Download all files.
- Click Continue.
Setting up OneDrive to back up your Mac
OneDrive can automatically back up the following folders on a Mac:
Be aware that OneDrive cannot back up the Pictures folder or your Photos library on a Mac. In general, you should avoid backing up Apple or iCloud application data to OneDrive or other cloud storage solutions.
Step 1: Sign in to OneDrive
OneDrive is already installed on all Dornsife-managed Macs. If you do not have OneDrive, you can install it through Company Portal.
Quick guide
- Open OneDrive.
- To locate OneDrive: Open Finder, go to your Applications folder, and double-click OneDrive.
- Do not use the @dts.usc.edu account. Instead, type your @usc.edu email address and click Sign In.
- If OneDrive does not open, you may need to first select the OneDrive
icon in your menu bar and then click Sign In.
- If prompted, sign in using your USC NetID@usc.edu and passphrase, and complete Duo authentication.
- Click Next on each prompt. When "Get the mobile app" appears, click Not now.
- Click Open OneDrive Folder to view your OneDrive in Finder.
- OneDrive begins syncing. To check its sync status, click the OneDrive icon in your menu bar.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Open OneDrive.
- To locate OneDrive: Open Finder, go to your Applications folder, and double-click OneDrive.
- Do not use the @dts.usc.edu account. Instead, type your @usc.edu email address and click Sign In.
- If OneDrive does not open, you may need to first select the OneDrive icon in your menu bar and then click Sign In.
- If prompted, sign in using your USC NetID@usc.edu and passphrase, and complete Duo authentication.
- Click Next on each prompt. When "Get the mobile app" appears, click Not now.
- Click Open OneDrive Folder to view your OneDrive in Finder.
- OneDrive begins syncing. To check its sync status, click the OneDrive icon in your menu bar.
Step 2: Back up important computer folders
OneDrive allows you to automatically back up the Documents and Desktop folders on your Mac.
Quick guide
- Click the OneDrive icon in your menu bar.
- Click the More options
icon, and select Settings.
- In the left menu, select Sync & Backup.
- Click Manage Backup.
- OneDrive asks for permission. Click System Preferences.
- System Settings opens to the Full Disk Access section. Select the OneDrive toggle.
- If prompted, type your Mac login password and click Modify Settings. Be aware that your login username and password may differ from your USC NetID and passphrase.
- Click Quit & Reopen.
- System Settings updates, and OneDrive restarts. Repeat steps 1–4 to return to the Manage Backup prompt.
- Select the toggle for any folder you want to back up, and click Save changes.
- OneDrive begins backing up the folders you selected, and will continue to automatically back them up when your computer is connected to the Internet. You can close this window.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Click the OneDrive icon in your menu bar.
- Click the More options icon, and select Settings.
- In the left menu, select Sync & Backup.
- Click Manage Backup.
- OneDrive asks for permission. Click System Preferences.
- System Settings opens to the Full Disk Access section. Select the OneDrive toggle.
- If prompted, type your Mac login credentials and click Modify Settings. Be aware that your login username and password may differ from your USC NetID and passphrase.
- Click Quit & Reopen.
- System Settings updates, and OneDrive restarts.
- Repeat steps 1–4 to return to the Manage Backup prompt.
- Select the toggle for any folder you want to back up, and click Save changes.
- OneDrive begins backing up the folders you selected, and will continue to automatically back them up when your computer is connected to the Internet. You can close this window.
Step 3: Keep files available offline
Accessing your computer backup from another device
If you are away from your computer, you can access your backup from any device with an Internet connection:
Quick guide
- Go to OneDrive on the web at https://usc.edu/onedrive.
- Type your @usc.edu email address and click Next.
- If prompted, sign in using your USC NetID@usc.edu and passphrase, and complete Duo authentication.
- Your OneDrive homepage appears. To view your backed-up computer files, click the folder
icon in the left menu.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Go to OneDrive on the web at https://usc.edu/onedrive.
- Type your @usc.edu email address and click Next.
- If prompted, sign in using your USC NetID@usc.edu and passphrase, and complete Duo authentication.
- Your OneDrive homepage appears. To view your backed-up computer folders, click the folder icon in the left menu.
