OneDrive
What is OneDrive for Business?
OneDrive for Business is Microsoft 365 cloud-based file storage system. It is available to Winston-Salem State University students, faculty, and staff. OneDrive for Business provides 1 terabyte (TB) of storage space where you can create, edit, upload and share documents and files.
OneDrive for Business is accessible from anywhere you have Internet access with a compatible web browser; this makes OneDrive for Business particularly convenient when working from off campus.
General Information
- Upload files to OneDrive for Business
- Download to your device from OneDrive for Business
- Make files available offline using the OneDrive for Business Sync Client
- Share files and folders using the OneDrive for Business web application
Yes. OneDrive for Business is available anywhere, as long as you have an Internet connection and a compatible web browser.
There are a number of ways you can benefit from using OneDrive for Business:
- Automatically sync a backup copy of your files
- Access your files from anywhere you have an Internet connection and a compatible web browser
- Easily switch between different devices with access to your files
- Share files with Winston-Salem State University students, faculty, and staff and external colleagues at UNC-GA
All of your OneDrive for Business documents will become inaccessible to you when you leave the university and will eventually be deleted. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that you obtain copies of any documents or files you need before you leave the university.
Browsers
The latest versions of the following browsers:
- Safari
- Chrome
- Firefox
Yes, new documents can be created using only a web browser by utilizing Office Online.
- Click Files on the Navigation Pane
- Click New on the Command Bar.
- Select the type of document to be created (Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint). The Office online app will launch to create the document.
Versioning
To determine if document versioning is enabled in OneDrive for Business:
- Select any document from the Files library window.
- Check the Command Bar for the option of Version History if the option appears; versioning is turned on.
One Drive will save up to 500 versions of a document.
OneDrive for Business stores the versions of individual documents indefinitely.
To view a version of a document:
- Select the document from the Files library window.
- Select Version History from the command bar or click the ellipses beside the file name to open the context menu and select Version History.
Quick Tip: In the Version History dialog box a listing of the files will be displayed with the version numbers. The most recent version(s) and date(s) will display in the top position.
To restore a previous document version:
- Select the file or item in the Files library window.
- Select Version History from the command bar or click the ellipses beside the file name to open the context menu and select Version History.
- Hover the mouse over the file name in the Version History information window, click the Ellipses beside the file name to open the context menu and select Restore.
- The restored document version be displayed in the top position, with the most recent version number, date and time stamp in the Version History file list.
Shared Files & Folders
- Select the document from the Files library listing.
- Click “Share” from the command bar.
Quick Tip: Share options can also be accessed by clicking the 3 vertical dots next to the file name in the Files listing library and Selecting “Share” from the context menu.
- Select "Share" to add university recipients to the listing.
- Enter the Last Name, First Name or email address of the person the file is to be shared with.
Note: Typing a few letters will display a matching list of users. For individuals external to the university, enter an email address.
- Add a message (optional).
- Click “Send”.
- Select the document from the Files library listing.
- Click “Share” from the command bar.
Quick Tip: Share options can also be accessed by clicking the 3 vertical dots next to the file name in the Files listing library and Selecting “Share” from the context menu.
- Click "Copy Link" from the command bar.
- Click the Mail icon (Note: Only people in the Winston-Salem State University with the link can view and edit).
- In the Link Settings window select the recipient listing.
- Select or de-select the “Allow Editing” checkbox to allow access to the file.
- Click the “Apply” button.
- Click “Copy” to copy the document link.
- Open your email and paste the link into the email message.
Select the “Shared by You” link from the navigation menu.
Presently, you are only able to share OneDrive for Business files with WSSU faculty, staff and students, as well as General Administration (northcarolina.edu).
Although you can share nearly any type of data, you should not share highly sensitive data, such as social security numbers, health information etc. Depending on whether you are sharing internally or externally, you may receive an alert that the data you are sharing is against university policy.
Storage
Yes. The current limits are as follows:
- The total storage space available for use within your OneDrive for Business account is 1 Terabyte.
- The maximum individual file size is 15 Gigabytes.
- The total number of files which can be synced within your OneDrive for Business account is theoretically about 30 million, but performance might degrade after about 100,000.
Character limits for files and folders
- File names can have up to 128 characters
- Folder names can have up to 256 characters
- Folder name/file name combinations can have up to 260 characters
If you delete a file from the sync folder on a device you have configured to sync with your OneDrive for Business account, the file will be deleted from your OneDrive for Business account and the sync folder of ALL other devices which you have configured to sync with your OneDrive for Business account. You can however recover a deleted file within 90 Days from the OneDrive for Business Recycle Bin.
To delete a document or folder:
- Select the File(s)/Folder(s) to be deleted
- Quick Tip: Items can be selected by clicking the space bar or by clicking the circle button beside the file name.
- Select Delete.
- Click OK.
- Click Recycle Bin from the Navigation Pane.
- Select the File(s) to be recovered from Recycle Bin document listing.
- Select Restore on the Command bar.
Note: When a file is deleted, it is placed in the Recycling Bin for 90 days. After 90 days, will be deleted from the Recycle Bin.
Uploads
To upload files to OneDrive for Business:
- Go to https://portal.office.com and type in your WSSU User account credentials
- Select
- Click Upload from the command bar.
- Select Files from the Upload context menu.
- Browse to file location.
- Select the document or file.
- Click
Notably .exe and .shtm. For a complete list from Microsoft, see Blocked file types for SharePoint Online.
- Click on New OneDrive for Business Command Bar.
- Select Folder
- Enter the name for the new folder.
- Click
Apps
Synchronization
Please contact Technology Support Services at 336-750-3431 or create a RAMSupport ticket to obtain the sync software. Once the software is installed you may download the instructions on the WSSU OneDrive for Business web page to understand how to use it.
Technical Support
Technology Support Services | 336-750-3431 | RAMSupport Ticket