Microsoft’s cloud storage service OneDrive is part of Windows 10 operating system. When you use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 10, you are automatically signing in to OneDrive as well.
The OneDrive can also be used even while using an offline or local user account. It’s just that you need to manually sign-in to your OneDrive account while using a local user account or offline account.
Whether you are using an online or offline account, OneDrive icon always appears in the notification area or system tray area of the Windows 10 taskbar. You can double-click on the OneDrive icon in the notification area of the taskbar to view OneDrive files and folders. Right-clicking on it gives access to OneDrive settings and other options.
However, at times, the OneDrive icon might go missing from the taskbar. Usually, if you cannot find it on the taskbar, you should be able to find it by clicking the small up arrow (show hidden icons button) on the taskbar.
If the OneDrive icon is not appearing or missing from the taskbar, you can restore the same by following the directions given below.
1 – restore OneDrive via Settings
2 – restore OneDrive using the setup file
Method 1 of 2
Restore OneDrive icon via Settings
Step 1: Right-click on an empty spot on desktop and then click Personalize option. This will open the Personalization category of Settings app.
Step 2: Click Taskbar to see taskbar settings.
Step 3: Scroll down to see the Notification area section. Here, click Select which icons appear on the taskbar link.
Step 4: In the resulting page, check if Microsoft OneDrive entry is turned on. If it’s turned off, please move the Microsoft OneDrive switch to the on position to see the OneDrive icon on the taskbar.
Method 2 of 2
Restore missing OneDrive icon using setup file
Step 1: Open the Run dialog box by simultaneously pressing Windows logo and R keys on the keyboard.
Step 2: In the Run dialog box, type the following path:
%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\Update
Press Enter key to open the Update folder.
Step 3: Double-click on OneDriveSetup (.exe) file to see Microsoft OneDrive setup dialog box. The setup dialog might appear for a minute.
Step 4: If you are asked to sign-in to Microsoft account, please do the needful by typing your credentials.
Step 5: Finally, once the OneDrive icon is visible in the taskbar, right-click on it and click Settings. In the Settings tab, make sure that Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows option is selected. Click OK button to save the setting.
That’s it! From now on, OneDrive icon will appear on the taskbar, always.
You might also like to read our how to restore missing battery icon in Windows 10.
Jared Pooley says
Thanks for your answer Mel, This worked for me!
“Neither of these worked for me initially. OneDRive was not visible in the first option, and when I tried the 2nd, it gave a message “A newer version of OneDrive is installed – you need to uninstall it first before installing this version.”
I then went up one level in the folder and found “StandaloneUpdater” ( dated 19 Oct 2018), which did its thing and it is now appearing in the taskbar. I have just added it to the list in Settings so hopefully it will stay there this time!
Thanks though – your instructions helped to get me there.”
Javier Pflaum says
Thank you so much. After surfing the web for answers, yours was the only one that worked.
Joe says
Thanks so much! :)
Jacquelyn Scheel says
Thank you so much for posting this! After surfing the net (including microsoft’s site) for answers, yours was the only one that worked. and it only took a minute to fix. Thanks1
Mel says
Neither of these worked for me initially. OneDRive was not visible in the first option, and when I tried the 2nd, it gave a message “A newer version of OneDrive is installed – you need to uninstall it first before installing this version.”
I then went up one level in the folder and found “StandaloneUpdater” ( dated 19 Oct 2018), which did its thing and it is now appearing in the taskbar. I have just added it to the list in Settings so hopefully it will stay there this time!
Thanks though – your instructions helped to get me there.
Jose says
Gary Auld thank you so much for the info. I had installed Spybot Anti-Beacon so long ago that I forgot that I had it, and it was blocking my onedrive. There was no way that I could get Onedrive to open until I disabled the blocking from Spybot. I had tried so many times! Thanks!
Roger Thornton says
Brilliant. Microsoft was no help to me on this either. Your option 2 works a treat and I have no doubt I will be using it regularly as OneDrive keeps disappearing on my computer since the latest big update.
Andrew Christie says
Dear Admin / Article Author
Thank you fr this assistance. Microsoft was no help at all. Option 2 was the solution to my issue.
thanks
Andrew
Gary Auld says
I use the Spybot Anti-Beacon privacy app. On the second page (Optional) there are some options to block out Microsoft communicating with my computer through OneDrive. I had trouble when I inadvertently invoked them – the icon disappeared. When they were opened, OneDrive worked perfectly.
It may be that you have an app that disrupts communication with Microsoft. In which case, try as they may, Microsoft can’t fix it – as in my case.