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To upload a large file to OneDrive, use the desktop sync app for very large files or batches; for a single file in a current browser, open the destination folder and choose Upload. Microsoft’s current guidance sets a 250 GB maximum for an individual file, but that limit is separate from the storage available in your account.
How do I upload large files to OneDrive?
Choose the method based on what you are sending. Microsoft recommends the OneDrive desktop app for large files or lots of files, and its restrictions guidance says to prefer sync for files larger than a few GB. The website is a direct option for a small number of files when they fit the limits.
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| Method | Best fit | How it works | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| OneDrive website | One or a few files that are not especially large | Choose the destination folder, select Upload, then choose the file; drag-and-drop is also supported. | Folder uploads are documented for Chrome and Edge. A website upload may fail for a zero-byte file. |
| OneDrive desktop sync app | A very large file, a large batch, or a transfer that times out on the website | Put or copy items into your local OneDrive folder and let the app sync them. | Sync runs in the background, and a large workload can take time to process. Microsoft does not promise it will be faster on every network. |
Upload through the website
- Sign in to OneDrive in an up-to-date browser and open the folder where the file should go.
- Select Upload, choose Files, and select the file.
- Confirm the selection if prompted, then leave the browser open while the upload completes.
You can also drag files from File Explorer or Finder into the OneDrive website. To upload a folder, Microsoft documents using the Folder option or dragging the folder into the site in Chrome or Edge. See Microsoft’s OneDrive upload instructions.
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- Make sure the OneDrive sync app is signed in and running.
- Open the local OneDrive folder on your computer and copy or move the file or folder into it.
- Wait for the app to sync the item. Check the OneDrive status icons or the app’s activity view for progress or an error.
For a transfer of several gigabytes or a large collection, sync is Microsoft’s recommended route rather than repeatedly using the website’s Upload button. A large batch may take a while to be discovered and processed before upload begins.
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What is the OneDrive file size limit?
Microsoft states that supported modern browsers can upload an individual file up to 250 GB. Its OneDrive and SharePoint restrictions guidance gives the same 250 GB maximum for an individual file synced, uploaded, or downloaded. This is a per-file service limit, not the amount of storage included with a OneDrive account; the file also has to fit in the storage space available to that account.
- Older browsers: Microsoft’s upload troubleshooting guidance says the stated maximum can be 300 MB in older browsers. Update the browser or switch to a current supported browser if a web upload appears to hit a much lower ceiling.
- OneNote notebooks: Notebooks saved in OneDrive have a separate 2 GB limit, according to Microsoft’s troubleshooting page.
See Microsoft’s current OneDrive and SharePoint restrictions and limitations for file, sync, naming, and path guidance.
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Why won’t my large file upload to OneDrive?
A failed upload does not necessarily mean the file exceeds the size limit. Check the issue that matches what you see:
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Update the browser and try again. Microsoft’s troubleshooting page identifies older browsers as a case where the maximum can be 300 MB. For files larger than a few GB, try the sync app instead of the website.
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The file name or folder path is rejected
Remove unsupported characters or names and simplify the path: shorten folder and file names, remove unnecessary nested folders, or move the destination closer to the OneDrive root. Microsoft documents different path limits in different contexts: its troubleshooting guidance cites fewer than 442 characters for the full path in the described error, while its path-length page explains a 400-character cloud path limit alongside separate desktop constraints. Neither number should be treated as a universal limit for every upload scenario. Read Microsoft’s file path length guidance for the relevant context.
The file is empty
Microsoft says a zero-byte file cannot be uploaded through the OneDrive website. Re-create or save the file with content, then try again.
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Sync stays busy or appears stalled
A very large number of files can make OneDrive take a long time to process the sync workload. Microsoft recommends a total of 300,000 synced items for normal performance. Its restrictions page separately describes a Windows public preview for syncing up to 1,000,000 items under specific system and client requirements; that preview is not the general supported experience.
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The sync app can adjust bandwidth automatically or use a fixed upload rate. Microsoft documents fixed settings from 50 KB/sec to 100,000 KB/sec. In the OneDrive settings, open Network and review the upload-rate choice; select automatic adjustment or set a fixed rate appropriate for the connection. Work or school administrators may control relevant settings. A faster connection can help, but Microsoft does not provide a guaranteed upload duration or speed for a given file. See Microsoft’s sync app rate settings guidance.
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For Microsoft’s additional website-specific fixes, see Fix problems uploading files on the OneDrive website.
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