How to Reset the OneDrive Sync Client (The Complete Command List)

Resetting the Microsoft OneDrive sync client clears corrupted local database caches, resets broken synchronization states, and forces the sync engine to re-index your entire directory against the cloud. Executing a client reset is the primary diagnostic recovery step when OneDrive gets stuck in endless scanning loops, crashes on startup, displays persistent phantom error badges, or refuses to download online-only files.

Fast Fix:

Execute the standard per-user reset command. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, paste %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset, and press Enter. The OneDrive icon will disappear from your system tray. Wait two minutes for it to restart automatically; if it does not, launch %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe to re-index your files.

Diagnostic Snapshot

• Data Safety: Safe. Resetting the sync client does not delete your local personal files or cloud-stored documents. It only purges local database caches, temporary transaction logs, and application configuration state.
• Settings Impact: A reset restores default sync client settings, meaning custom bandwidth throttling limits or paused sync states will revert to defaults. Selective folder synchronization will re-evaluate.
• Estimated Duration: Running the reset command takes less than 30 seconds, followed by a 2-to-15 minute background catalog re-scan depending on your total file count.

What Happens During a OneDrive Reset

Under normal operation, OneDrive tracks file state changes across your computer and Microsoft 365 storage using an internal SQLite database catalog (SyncEngine.odc) paired with the Windows NTFS Change Journal.

When you issue the /reset parameter to OneDrive.exe:

1. The background process terminates all active network threads and releases open file handles.
2. The internal metadata databases, sync queues, and temporary chunk caches located in %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings are wiped clean.
3. Upon restarting, the sync engine performs a full hash enumeration pass, matching local file hashes against cloud metadata to ensure bidirectional integrity without re-downloading identical files.

The Complete OneDrive Command List

Depending on your Windows installation architecture (Per-User, Per-Machine 64-bit, Per-Machine 32-bit, or macOS), the path to OneDrive.exe varies. Use the specific command string matching your system environment.

Installation / Platform	Reset Command	Manual Restart Command
Windows Standard (Per-User)	%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset	%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe
Windows 64-bit (Per-Machine)	C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset	C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe
Windows 32-bit (Per-Machine / ARM)	C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset	C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe
Windows Store App (UWP Package)	%localappdata%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\onedrive.exe /reset	%localappdata%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\onedrive.exe
macOS (Terminal / Standalone App)	/Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Resources/ResetOneDriveAppStandalone.command	Open OneDrive from /Applications
macOS (App Store Version)	/Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Resources/ResetOneDriveApp.command	Open OneDrive from Launchpad

Step-by-Step Reset Procedure (Windows)

Follow these steps to ensure the reset executes cleanly without leaving orphaned registry locks.

1. Run the Reset Command

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Copy and paste the standard user command:DOS %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
3. Click OK.
4. If Windows returns a “Windows cannot find…” error dialog, your PC uses a per-machine 64-bit installation. Enter this alternative path instead:DOS C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

2. Verify Process Termination and Relaunch

1. Observe the System Tray (near the clock in the bottom-right corner).
2. The blue or white OneDrive cloud icon should disappear immediately.
3. Wait approximately 60 to 120 seconds.
4. If the cloud icon does not return automatically, open the Run dialog (Win + R) and enter:DOS %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe (Or C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe if installed per-machine).
5. The cloud icon will reappear with a circulating blue sync badge indicating that the client is performing an initial re-indexing pass.

3. Confirm Selective Sync and Folder Configuration

Because a reset refreshes local configuration tokens, verify your folder settings once the scan finishes:

1. Click the OneDrive icon > Settings (gear icon) > Settings.
2. Under the Account tab, click Choose folders and verify that all desired folders are selected. If folders fail to display.
3. Under the Sync and backup tab, confirm that Manage backup is active if you sync your Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folders.

Hard Stops & Deeper Escalation

If executing the command list fails to launch the client, or if the client crashes immediately upon entering /reset:

1. Unlink and Re-link Account: Open OneDrive Settings > Account > Unlink this PC. Restart your computer, sign back in, and point OneDrive to your existing local folder to rebuild the sync mapping cleanly.
2. Purge Residual Settings Directories: If corrupted cache files prevent the reset script from executing, terminate OneDrive.exe via Task Manager, manually delete %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings, and launch the app again.
3. Enterprise Group Policy Blocks: In corporate environments, administrators may disable local client resets or restrict executable execution in %localappdata%. If commands return access-denied prompts or settings are locked.