On the old PC, install the OneDrive application https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/download/ 


Watch the OneDrive video https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/transfer-your-data 


  1. Install the Windows version of the new OneDrive sync app.

    Notes: 

    • If you have Office 365, or Office 2016, you already have the OneDrive sync app. To check if it's installed, click the Start button and search for OneDrive.

    • Screenshot of searching for the OneDrive desktop app in Windows 7

  2. Start OneDrive Setup.

  3. Log in with your username@gmu.edu account

  4. Follow the steps that appear on the screen until OneDrive Setup is finished. 

  5. Note: If you have a lot of large files on your Windows 7 PC, we recommend that you follow the next steps when you have the fastest possible internet connection. For example, connect to a wired connection instead of wireless, and pick a time when other people in your household aren't transferring a lot of data over your Internet connection.

    In the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, right-click the OneDrive white cloud icon and click Settings.

    Screenshot of the white OneDrive cloud icon in the windows notification area

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

  6. On the Backup tab, click Manage backup.

    Note: If you are using an older version of OneDrive, the tab will be named AutoSave.

  7. In the Back up your folders dialog box, select all the folders that have files you want to move to your new PC.

    Screenshot of the Set up protection of important folders dialog box in OneDrive

  8. Select Start backup (or in older versions of OneDrive, select Start protection).

  9. If you have files outside of your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders that you want to move to your new PC, use Windows Explorer. Press Windows key +E to open Windows Explorer and browse to the folders you want to move. Drag them to OneDrive in the left pane.

  10. In the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, hover over the OneDrive white cloud icon to check the status of the files uploading to OneDrive.

    Important: Make sure that you keep your PC connected to the Internet until all your files are finished uploading and the cloud icon says "Up to date." If an error appears, click the cloud icon for more info about what went wrong and how to fix it.