How to Reset OneDrive

OneDrive
OneDrive and SharePoint files can be synced to your PC so you can access them in the familiar Windows Explorer. However, sometimes the sync may encounter problems, especially if you sync a large number of files. If this happens, you might to occasionally reset the cache OneDrive uses to keep track of changes.

One sign that OneDrive may be having problems syncing files is if you see it ‘Processing Changes’ for a long period of time, or, if new files or changes from other colleagues are not appearing.

Is OneDrive stuck processing changes?
Is OneDrive stuck processing changes?

Resetting OneDrive is easy. Open the Run box (Windows Key + R) and enter the following:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

Use the Run box to reset the cache
Use the Run box to reset the cache

Occasionally, you might receive an error that Windows cannot find that path. If so, try the following

C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

OneDrive will close. Start OneDrive again by searching in the start menu and open.

Restart OneDrive from the Start menu
Restart OneDrive from the Start menu

You will see in the status that OneDrive will start processing changes. This will take a little time depending on how many files you have synced.

After reset OneDrive will start processing changes as it rebuilds the cache
After reset OneDrive will start processing changes as it rebuilds the cache

Other Useful Tips

Over time, your PC hard drive may start to get full if you sync a large amount of files. Use StorageSense to offload files you haven’t opened periodically, as well as clear up your downloads folder and recycle bin:

Manage storage in OneDrive using Storage Sense

If you don’t use certain SharePoint or Teams libraries very often, you can remove them from the sync which may also help OneDrive by reducing the number of files it has to manage in its cache:

Stop syncing files you no longer need

Further reading

Passkeys Vs Passwords 2 med

Leave Passwords in the Past: Why the NCSC Is Backing Passkeys for Login Security

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has delivered a clear new message: “Leave passwords in the past – passkeys are the future.” In April 2026, the NCSC formally updated its guidance to recommend using passkeys as the default way to log in wherever services support them, instead of traditional passwords (even those paired with multi-factor authentication). This is a major shift in cyber security advice, and overturns decades of password-centric best practices.

Read More »