OneDrive offers a powerful but often overlooked feature called “Fetch Files” that allows you to remotely access files on your Windows 11 PC from any other device. This guide will walk you through setting up and using this feature, giving you the freedom to access your important documents, photos, and other files from anywhere with an internet connection.
What is OneDrive Fetch Files?
Fetch Files is a OneDrive feature that lets you access all the files on your Windows 11 PC remotely through the OneDrive website. This means you can retrieve files you may have forgotten to upload to OneDrive, access network locations included in your PC’s libraries, and even stream videos or view photos in a slideshow format.
Prerequisites for Using Fetch Files
Before we dive into the setup process, ensure you meet these requirements:
- You have the OneDrive desktop app installed on your Windows 11 PC.
- You’re signed in to your OneDrive account on the PC you want to access remotely.
- Your PC is connected to the internet and powered on.
- You have a Microsoft account (the same one used for OneDrive).
Note that Fetch Files works with Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7, but not with Windows 8.1 or macOS.
How to Enable Fetch Files on Your Windows 11 PC
Step 1: Click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (it looks like a cloud). If you don’t see it, click the arrow to show hidden icons.
Step 2: Click on the “More” option (represented by three dots) in the OneDrive flyout menu.
Step 3: Select “Settings” from the menu that appears.
Step 4: In the Settings window, navigate to the “Settings” tab.
Step 5: Look for the option that says “Let me use OneDrive to fetch any of my files on this PC” and check the box next to it.
Step 6: Click “OK” to save your changes.
Step 7: Restart the OneDrive app to ensure the changes take effect. You can do this by right-clicking the OneDrive icon in the system tray, selecting “Close OneDrive,” and then relaunching it from the Start menu.
How to Access Your Files Remotely
Now that you’ve enabled Fetch Files on your Windows 11 PC, here’s how to access your files from another device:
Step 1: Open a web browser and go to onedrive.live.com.
Step 2: Sign in with the same Microsoft account you use on your Windows 11 PC.
Step 3: Once logged in, look for the “PCs” option in the left sidebar and click on it.
Step 4: You should see your Windows 11 PC listed. Click on its name.
Step 5: You may be prompted to complete a security check. This usually involves entering a code sent to your registered email or phone number. This extra step helps protect your files from unauthorized access.
Step 6: After passing the security check, you’ll see a list of drives, libraries, and folders on your PC. Navigate through these to find the file you need.
Step 7: To download a file, select it and click the “Download” button at the top of the page. To upload it to your OneDrive storage, click “Upload to OneDrive” instead.
Troubleshooting: OneDrive Not Fetching Files
If you’ve followed these steps but OneDrive isn’t showing your PC in the “PCs” section, try these troubleshooting steps:
Step 1: Double-check that the “Let me use OneDrive to fetch any of my files on this PC” option is enabled in OneDrive settings.
Step 2: Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R, typing “regedit”, and pressing Enter.
Step 3: Navigate to this path in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OneDrive\
Step 4: Look for a key named “Claims”. If you find it, right-click on it and select “Delete”.
Step 5: Restart the OneDrive app on your Windows 11 PC and check the settings again to ensure the Fetch Files option is still enabled.
Security and Privacy Considerations
While Fetch Files is a convenient feature, it’s important to consider the security implications:
- Always use a strong, unique password for your Microsoft account.
- Enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.
- Be cautious when accessing your files on public or shared computers.
- Remember to turn off your PC or disable the Fetch Files feature when you don’t need remote access.
With OneDrive’s Fetch Files feature properly set up, you now have a powerful tool to access your Windows 11 files from anywhere. Whether you’re working from home, traveling, or simply need to grab a file you forgot to upload, you’re now just a few clicks away from all your important documents.