Ways to work with site library files in File Explorer

Some file management activities in OneDrive and SharePoint Online site libraries can be done more efficiently using File Explorer instead of a web browser. The table below describes all options for working with site library files in File Explorer. We recommend the first option, syncing with OneDrive for Business, because it provides local access to your files and offers the best performance.

Note: You can also view your OneDrive for Business files on the OneDrive app for iOS, Android, or Windows.

Option for accessing library files in File Explorer	Supported browsers	Benefits	Limitations
Sync files to your computer	Isn't limited to a web browser	Provides local access to library files After the initial sync, you don't need a network connection to view or edit files Best performance	See sync limits in SharePoint Online limits
Open with Explorer: View in File Explorer in OneDrive for Business View in File Explorer in SharePoint Online	Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11	There's nothing to set up or download. You also can copy or move folders. From the library, click View options , and then click View in File Explorer	Not supported in Windows 10 Edge for OneDrive for Business, (see link at bottom of page), some other browsers, or on Mac or Linux computers Available only when you're online Performance depends on connectivity speed
Map the library to a network drive	Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11	Available in File Explorer when you’re online	Not supported in Windows 10 Edge for OneDrive for Business, some other browsers, or on Mac or Linux computers Available only when you're online Performance depends on connectivity speed Mapping is temporary

Option for accessing library files in File Explorer

Supported browsers

Benefits

Limitations

Sync files to your computer

The SharePoint Online toolbar with the Sync option selected

Isn't limited to a web browser

Provides local access to library files
After the initial sync, you don't need a network connection to view or edit files
Best performance

See sync limits in SharePoint Online limits

Open with Explorer:

View in File Explorer in OneDrive for Business

View in File Explorer in SharePoint Online

Open with Explorer highlighted on the views menu in SharePoint Online

Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11

There's nothing to set up or download. You also can copy or move folders. From the library, click View options , and then click View in File Explorer

Not supported in Windows 10 Edge for OneDrive for Business, (see link at bottom of page), some other browsers, or on Mac or Linux computers
Available only when you're online
Performance depends on connectivity speed

Map the library to a network drive

Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and 11

Available in File Explorer when you’re online

Not supported in Windows 10 Edge for OneDrive for Business, some other browsers, or on Mac or Linux computers
Available only when you're online
Performance depends on connectivity speed
Mapping is temporary

Note: If you use Windows 10, see Why SharePoint ribbon buttons are unavailable for steps on how to run Internet Explorer 11 and make it open by default.

Ways to work with site library files in File Explorer

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