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Both Sync and View in File Explorer connect a SharePoint library with a folder on your desktop, but there is a difference:. That folder only lasts until you close it and the content is saved to SharePoint. So using View in File Explorer gives you one-time access to the SharePoint library by way of your desktop folders.

Sync uses the OneDrive sync app to create a more permanent folder that you can use on a daily basis. All content that you add to, edit, or remove from either the online SharePoint library or the desktop folder automatically syncs with the other location.

For example, once you sync a library, you can save directly from Word or Excel to the desktop folder, and everything is automatically uploaded to the SharePoint library. If you save something to the desktop folder while you're working offline, Sync will update the SharePoint library as soon as you're back online.

Select a heading below to open it and see the detailed information. Note: Your version history is not copied when you use File Explorer. Only the latest or published versions of documents are copied or moved. If you must have versioning information included when you move a file from one library to another, use the Move to command.

For more info, see Why doesn't File Explorer copy or move my versioning info? File Explorer is the Windows file management system you use on the Windows desktop.

You can open SharePoint libraries in File Explorer, and move or copy files and folders from your desktop folders to SharePoint. You can also open multiple SharePoint libraries in File Explorer, and copy or move folders between them. Note: If you have Check out required enabled, you may need to temporarily disable it to download multiple files.

For more info, see Set up a library to require check-out of files. In SharePoint in Microsoft , open the document library with the file or folders you want to move or copy. Select the View menu and then select View in File Explorer. If the command isn't there, you're likely in the classic SharePoint experience, in which case read Copy or move library files by using Open with Explorer.

You can ignore or close this library window. You may get a pop-up asking if you'd rather sync the library. This is up to you. When you open a library in File Explorer, the folder on your desktop is temporary. If you use sync, you'll get a persistent folder that stays in sync with the document library. If you get an Internet Explorer Security dialog, select Allow.

You can also select the Do not show me the warning for this program again checkbox. Now that you have both document libraries open in File Explorer—the source and the destination—you can copy or move files and folders between them.

Arrange the two windows so you can copy or move between them. You can display both on the screen with these steps:. The window should dock to the left side of the screen. Both windows should now be visible. If you're moving files, you can also select and drag the files from one File Explorer window to another, rather than using cut and paste. Note: If your library uses versioning, you only get the published or the most current documents. You can't move or copy previous versions.

Note: If you don't see Paste , return to the source folder, highlight the files and folders you want, right-click and select Cut or Copy. When you've copied or moved all the files you want, close both File Explorer windows. Any file or folder changes you've made are automatically uploaded to SharePoint. Return to the destination library in SharePoint. If the new files, folders, or changes haven't appeared yet, refresh the page.

In addition to using View in File Explorer , you can also sync the library with your desktop. When you sync, you get a persistent copy of the SharePoint library on your desktop. You can save files directly to the synced folder, and they are automatically uploaded in the SharePoint library it's synced to. You can sync either or both your source and destination libraries and work between them as well. To learn how to upload files, see Upload files and folders to a document library.

If Internet Explorer is your browser, you should consider switching to Microsoft Edge or another modern browser. Note: Microsoft apps and services will not support Internet Explorer 11 starting August 17, Learn more.

Please note that Internet Explorer 11 will remain a supported browser. Internet Explorer 11 is a component of the Windows operating system and follows the Lifecycle Policy for the product on which it is installed. If you must have versioning information included when you move a file from one SharePoint library to another, use the Move to command.

For more details, read on. You'll be able to see what you've downloaded from the web, where these items are stored on your PC, and choose actions to take on your downloads. Open Internet Explorer, select the Tools button, and then select View downloads. In the View Downloads dialog box, select Options in the lower-left. Choose a different default download location by selecting Browse and then selecting OK when you're done. Internet Explorer uses add-ons such as Adobe Reader to view some files in the browser.

If a file that needs an add-on won't open, you might have an older version of the add-on, which needs to be updated. When you download a file, Internet Explorer checks for clues that the download is malicious or potentially harmful to your PC.

If Internet Explorer identifies a download as suspicious, you'll be notified so you can decide whether or not to save, run, or open the file. Not all files you're warned about are malicious, but it's important to make sure you trust the site you're downloading from, and that you really want to download the file.

If you see a security warning that tells you the publisher of this program couldn't be verified, this means that Internet Explorer doesn't recognize the site or organization asking you to download the file.

Make sure you recognize and trust the publisher before you save or open the download. There are always risks to downloading files from the web.

Here are some precautions you can take to help protect your PC when you download files:. If the file has a digital signature, make sure that the signature is valid and the file is from a trusted location. To see the digital signature, select the publisher link in the security warning dialog box that opens when you first download the file. Windows 10 Internet Explorer Windows 8. Use the latest browser recommended by Microsoft Get speed, security, and privacy with Microsoft Edge.

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