OneDrive for Business

OneDrive provides cloud file storage and collaboration for some Washington University users. Note that the functions of OneDrive are similar to those provided by the WUSTL Box system. While WUSTL Box is currently the recommended cloud file storage and collaboration service, you may be interested in using OneDrive in certain instances. The table below gives a quick overview to help you compare the two services.

Similar to Box, you can sync your OneDrive files between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere – your computer, your mobile device, and even through the OneDrive website at OneDrive.com. If you add, change, or delete a file or folder in your OneDrive folder, the file or folder is added, changed, or deleted on the OneDrive website and vice versa. You can work with your synced files directly in File Explorer and access your files even when you’re offline. Whenever you’re online, any changes that you or others make will sync automatically.

The OneDrive app is automatically included in Windows 10. For MacOs Users, you can follow the instructions here to get started: Sync files with OneDrive on Mac OS X.

Students: Access to OneDrive terminates within 24 hours post graduation. It is recommended that you make a copy of the content before your access is removed.

Approved Cloud Storage Options: WUSTL Box One Drive
Accessible by all current Washington University students, faculty and staff XX
Recommended for sharing with external collaborators X
Synchronize files with your Windows computer X X
Synchronize files with your Mac computer X
Live collaboration on MS Office documents via the web X
Simple, one-click sharing of cloud documents with colleagues from your desktop XX
Edit Office documents using Office mobile apps for iOS (iPhone, iPad) X X
Edit Office documents using Office mobile apps for Android X
To access your OneDrive
  1. Login to your Office 365 account using your WUSTL Key at: email.wustl.edu/mail
  2. Click on the blue Apps button at the top-left of the browser window and select OneDrive
  3. Click the New button to create a new Microsoft Office Document in your OneDrive
  4. Click on the Upload button to upload files and folders from your computer
To share a file or folder in OneDrive with a colleague:
  1. Click on the small blue checkbox next to the file(s) or folder(s) you want to share, and then click the Share button
  2. Enter in the email addresses of the colleagues that you want to share with, and select the desired level of access
  3. Click the Share button
  4. The colleagues with whom you shared files with will now see the files(s) and/or folder(s) inside their OneDrive under the Shared with me section
  5. Note: only colleagues who have access to Office 365 will be able to login to OneDrive and see the file(s)/folder(s) that you have shared
To live collaborate on an Office document with your colleagues:
  1. First, share the document with all appropriate collaborators using the sharing instructions above
  2. Arrange a time for you and your colleagues to all open the document simultaneously
  3. At the designated time, each collaborator should:
    • Login to Office 365, access OneDrive, and click on the designated file
    • A preview of the document will be displayed in your web browser
    • Near the top-right of the document preview, click the Edit Document button and select Edit in Word Online (or Edit in Excel Online, etc.)
  4. You and your colleagues can now edit the Office document simultaneously seeing each other’s work live in your web browser