Surface - My files are out of date or missing

Problem

Files stored on your Desktop or in your Documents folder are old versions, or are missing entirely.

Solution

This is likely down to the fact that the OneDrive client is not running or has come across an issue. Here are the the most common fixes for this problem:

Ensure you aren't trying to sync a file larger than 10GB in size

OneDrive cannot sync a file larger than 10GB.

Restart the OneDrive sync app

Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, next to the date/time

OneDrive app in System Tray

(You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow The Show hidden icons button. next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon. If the icon doesn't appear in the notification area, OneDrive might not be running. Click Start, type OneDrive in the search box, and then click OneDrive in the search results.)

Click Exit

Click the Start button, search "OneDrive" and launch the app

Ensure the file path isn't too long

OneDrive can't support a file path longer than 255 characters

Example of a file path - C:\Users\<UserName>\Pictures\Saved\2014\January\Holiday\NewYears\Family…

Turn off Office Upload.

If you’re having trouble syncing Office files, the Office Upload cache system may be interfering with OneDrive sync. Try turning off the related setting in OneDrive settings.

Right-click the blue OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.

OneDrive app in System Tray(You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow The Show hidden icons button. next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon. If the icon doesn't appear in the notification area, OneDrive might not be running. Click Start, type OneDrive in the search box, and then click OneDrive in the search results.)

Click Settings.

Select the Office tab, and uncheck the Use Office 2016 to sync Office files that I open check box

Make sure your Surface has enough free disk space

See Free up drive space in Windows 10

Make sure your OneDrive has enough free space

 

Check your Storage page on the OneDrive web site and compare the size of your OneDrive to the available disk space on your PC. If necessary, move or delete some files.

 

 

Right-click the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.

OneDrive app in System Tray

(You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow The Show hidden icons button. next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon. If the icon doesn't appear in the notification area, OneDrive might not be running. Click Start, type OneDrive in the search box, and then click OneDrive in the search results.)

 

 

Select Exit, and select Close OneDrive.

 

 

Go to Start, enter OneDrive in the search box, and then click OneDrive.

 

 

Follow the steps to select your OneDrive settings again, including picking the location of your OneDrive folder and choosing whether to turn on the Fetch files option.

 

Reset OneDrive.

If OneDrive sync seems to be stuck for a long time and nothing else is working, try a reset.

Be aware that resetting OneDrive re-syncs all your OneDrive files, which could take some time depending on how many files you’re syncing.

Press the Windows key The Windows key icon. + R.

In the Run window, enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

Click OK.

Make sure the OneDrive icon in the notification area of the taskbar disappears and then re-appears after a minute or two. Here’s how to check: Look for the blue OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.

OneDrive app in System Tray

(You might need to click the Show hidden icons arrow The Show hidden icons button. next to the notification area to see the OneDrive icon.)

If the OneDrive icon doesn’t re-appear after a few minutes, open the Run window again and enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe