OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe

Application ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called onedrive sync service, onedrive.sync.service, microsoft onedrive sync service

WindowsApplication

OneDrive sync engine service process. OneDrive.exe is the tray and UI. This image does the sync work, including the engine Microsoft used to show as Microsoft.SharePoint.exe.

What you need to know

This is the sync service, not the OneDrive shell tray.

OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe is the sync engine. OneDrive.exe draws the cloud tray and settings. Microsoft renamed the older Microsoft.SharePoint.exe offline-mode process to this name. Ending the tray does not always stop the engine.

Safe?: Yes, with OneDrive
Same as the tray?: No. OneDrive.exe is the shell tray
High disk?: A large sync or hydrate

Feex says

If the cloud icon is quiet and this service is still hashing files, I look at pending sync. I do not treat OneDrive.exe as the engine.

What is OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe?

OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe is the sync service, not the OneDrive shell tray. OneDrive.exe is the UI. The engine used to appear as Microsoft.SharePoint.exe on some builds.

What does it do?

It uploads, downloads, hydrates Files On-Demand, and keeps offline mode. The tray still lives in OneDrive.exe. File locks for Office co-authoring can involve FileCoAuth.exe.

Why is it running?

You are signed into OneDrive, or Windows started the client with your account. A first sync, a Known Folder Move, or a huge add keeps this engine busy while the tray looks idle.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

A Microsoft-signed copy under AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive is the engine. A OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe in Downloads is not. This is still not the tray exe.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\<version>\OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe

Version folder changes with OneDrive updates
Per-machine installs can live under Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive
Tray UI is OneDrive.exe, not this file

Can I end it?

Sync pauses until the client starts it again

Ending the sync service stops that engine pass. The tray can stay. Quit OneDrive from the cloud icon if you want both down. Do not end WINWORD to stop a folder sync.

Can I remove it?

Unlink or uninstall OneDrive

Unlink the PC in OneDrive settings, or uninstall OneDrive from Apps. Do not delete the versioned engine exe by hand.

Should it start with Windows?

OneDrive starts the engine with the client. That is a OneDrive setting, not a Windows service named Sync.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

CPU: Hashing and a large change journal
Memory: Grows with a huge library
Disk: High during first sync or hydrate
Network: Active while uploading or downloading

File information

OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe file information
Executable name	OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe
Common legitimate path	C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\<version>\OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe
Publisher	Microsoft Corporation
Signature expectation	Signed by Microsoft Windows

Common problems

People end the tray and wonder why disk is still busy

The engine can keep walking files. Quit from the OneDrive icon, or pause sync there.

Old scripts still look for Microsoft.SharePoint.exe

Microsoft renamed that offline-mode process. Update the monitor to OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

Pause sync from the OneDrive cloud icon

That is the supported throttle. Ending only OneDrive.exe can leave this engine running.

Reset OneDrive if the engine is stuck on Processing

Microsoft documents onedrive.exe /reset. That rebuilds client state. It does not uninstall Word.

Technical details

OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe technical details
Image name	OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe
Role	OneDrive sync engine
Former name	Microsoft.SharePoint.exe (offline mode)

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Microsoft Learn: OneDrive sync release notes · Offline mode process is OneDrive.Sync.Service.exe, formerly Microsoft.SharePoint.exe
Microsoft Support: OneDrive · Pause, reset, and folder choice belong to the client
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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