How to use Microsoft’s OneDrive to fetch files on another PC

Microsoft’s OneDrive storage service provides a handy way to save your files in the cloud and across different PCs. Documents, photos, and other files are not only backed up and stored online but also synced in the cloud and all your computers and mobile devices. However, you can also use OneDrive to access folders and fetch files directly on another PC, and those files don’t need to be part of your OneDrive group.

Requires setup

There are a few requirements for this fetch to work.

– You will need a Microsoft Account to use OneDrive.

– Both PCs need to be connected to the internet when OneDrive is active, and the fetch setting is enabled.

– You can fetch files stored on PCs running Windows 7, 8, and 10 but not 8.1.

– You can connect to a remote PC and access stored files from a PC running 7, 8, 8.1, or 10 as well as from a mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

– You can also fetch files stored on a Windows PC from a Mac, but you cannot fetch files stored on a Mac.

– When you connect to your PC to fetch files, Windows may ask for a verification code.

– Make sure you’re running OneDrive on both your PC, the app you want to use to access the files, and where the files are stored. If not, install it via Microsoft’s OneDrive website.

Once OneDrive is installed, you’ll see a OneDrive icon (the one that looks like a cloud) in the Windows system tray.

Now that all the requirements and setup are in place let’s test the process.

Set up PC to fetch

Turn on the PC that is storing the files you want to access and right-click the OneDrive icon. From the pop-up menu, click the command for Settings, then click the Settings tab in the OneDrive window that pops up.

Check the setting for “Let me use OneDrive to fetch any files on this PC.” If it isn’t already on, you should also check the setting to “Automatically start OneDrive when I sign in to Windows.” This way, OneDrive always works when you load Windows. Click OK.

Locate the file to fetch

Now switch to the computer that will perform the fetch. Launch the OneDrive website from your web browser and sign in. The next screen may ask if your account is used for work or school or a personal account. Assuming you use the personal OneDrive service, click Options for Personal Account.

Enter the password for your OneDrive account and click the Sign In button. Your OneDrive page pops up, showing the folders included in your OneDrive sync. On the left side of the page, click the link that says PC.

You’ll see a list of all your PCs running OneDrive. Click the name of the PC where you want to fetch the files.

A security check message may pop up at this time. If so, click the “Sign in with security code” link to continue.

Enter the last four digits of your phone number and click “Send Code.” Your phone will receive a code in the form of a text message. Enter that code in the Code field in OneDrive.

If you don’t want to be bothered using the code on this computer every time you visit this page, check the option that says: “I sign in frequently on this device. Don’t ask me for the code.” Click the Submit button.

File access

You should now see a page with large tiles for each folder on the remote PC, including favorites, libraries, C drive, CD/DVD drive, and any network drives. Click the box containing the file you want.

View the details of the file you want to view and click the file. The image will automatically display in the OneDrive window. To view other files, you will need the respective apps. For example, if you want to view a PDF, you’ll need Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat. To listen to music files or play videos, you’ll need Windows Media Player or a similar program. To view Excel spreadsheets, you will need Microsoft Excel.

After you select the file and confirm the application, it will open the full screen. You can change the file if the file is editable, such as an Excel spreadsheet or a Microsoft Word document. However, if the file opens as read-only, you cannot re-save it back to the remote PC with your edits. Instead, you must save a copy of the file on your current PC. To do this in a program like Word or Excel, click file> Save As, then enter a name and location for the modified file.

Right-click the file when it appears in OneDrive for a few different options. You can now choose to download a copy to your current computer or upload it to OneDrive. This menu also allows you to view specific properties, including file type, date created and modified, location, and size.

You can navigate back to the home screen for the remote PC by clicking its name in the list in the left pane. From there, click the tile for C drive to explore the entire computer. When you’re done, close the OneDrive website or pages you’ve opened.