How to Change Where OneNote Saves Notebooks on Your Device

Changing where OneNote saves your notebooks lets you control storage location, improve organization, or switch to a preferred cloud or local folder. This can be especially useful if you want to free up space on your main drive, use a specific OneDrive account, or save notebooks on a network drive for sharing with colleagues. Before you start, it’s important to know which version of OneNote you are using, as the process differs between OneNote for Windows 10, OneNote 2016 (desktop), and OneNote for Mac.

What You’ll Need

• A computer with OneNote installed (Windows or Mac)
• Access to your preferred storage location (local drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, or network folder)
• For cloud storage, a valid Microsoft account linked to OneDrive or SharePoint
• Basic familiarity with navigating file explorer or Finder

Step-by-Step

1. Identify your OneNote version: Open OneNote and check the title bar or About section. OneNote for Windows 10 is the UWP app from the Microsoft Store; OneNote 2016 is the traditional desktop app; OneNote for Mac is separate.
2. Understand default storage locations: By default, OneNote notebooks save to OneDrive (cloud) or locally in Documents > OneNote Notebooks on Windows and Mac. OneNote for Windows 10 saves notebooks only to OneDrive or SharePoint.
3. For OneNote for Windows 10 (UWP):
   1. Open OneNote and click on the notebook you want to move.
   2. Click the notebook dropdown to see the list of notebooks.
   3. Since OneNote for Windows 10 does not support saving notebooks locally, you must move notebooks between OneDrive accounts or SharePoint manually via the OneDrive website or SharePoint interface.
   4. To move a notebook, go to your OneDrive online, download the notebook folder, then upload it to the new OneDrive or SharePoint location.
   5. After uploading, open OneNote and use Open Notebook to open the notebook from its new location.
4. For OneNote 2016 (desktop version on Windows):
   1. Open OneNote 2016.
   2. To create a new notebook in a different location, go to File > New.
   3. Under Create Notebook, choose Computer or OneDrive.
   4. If choosing Computer, click Browse and select a new folder where you want notebooks saved.
   5. Name your notebook and click Create Notebook.
   6. To move an existing notebook, you need to close it first by right-clicking the notebook name in the navigation pane and selecting Close This Notebook.
   7. Then, manually move the notebook folder (containing .one files) to your preferred location using File Explorer.
   8. After moving, open OneNote and select File > Open, then browse to the new folder and open the notebook.
5. For OneNote on Mac:
   1. Open OneNote for Mac.
   2. OneNote on Mac stores notebooks in OneDrive or SharePoint by default; local notebook storage is not supported.
   3. To change where notebooks are saved, you need to move notebooks between OneDrive accounts or SharePoint sites via the web interface.
   4. Download the notebook folder from OneDrive online, then upload it to the new location.
   5. Back in OneNote, choose Open Notebook and navigate to the new location.
6. Verify the new location: After moving or creating a notebook in the new location, open it and confirm all sections and pages appear correctly.
7. Backup important notebooks: Before moving notebooks, it’s a good practice to back them up to avoid accidental data loss.

Common Mistakes

• Trying to move notebooks directly inside OneNote for Windows 10 or Mac: These versions don’t allow local saving or direct moving inside the app.
• Not closing notebooks before moving: Moving open notebooks can cause sync issues or data corruption.
• Confusing OneNote versions: Instructions vary widely between OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows 10; following the wrong guide can cause frustration.
• Not syncing after moving notebooks: Always allow time for notebooks to fully sync after moving to avoid data loss.
• Moving notebooks to unsupported locations: OneNote needs compatible storage like OneDrive, SharePoint, or local folders formatted for your OS.

Tips

• Use OneDrive for easy access and syncing: Storing notebooks on OneDrive lets you access and edit from multiple devices seamlessly.
• Organize notebooks in folders: Group related notebooks in folders on your local drive or OneDrive for better management.
• Regularly back up local notebooks: If you store notebooks on your computer, back them up to avoid data loss from hardware failure.
• Check storage limits: Make sure your OneDrive account has enough space when moving large notebooks to the cloud.
• Use SharePoint for team collaboration: If working in teams, saving notebooks on SharePoint sites provides controlled access and versioning.

Troubleshooting

If your notebook doesn’t appear in the new location or sync fails, try these steps:

• Check your internet connection: OneNote requires a stable connection to sync notebooks stored in the cloud.
• Ensure you’re signed into the correct Microsoft account: Multiple accounts can cause confusion about notebook locations.
• Close and reopen OneNote: Sometimes restarting the app refreshes the notebook list and sync status.
• Verify folder permissions: For network or SharePoint locations, confirm you have read/write access.
• Sync manually: In OneNote 2016, right-click the notebook and select Sync This Notebook or Sync All Notebooks.
• Reopen notebooks: If a notebook fails to open, close it in OneNote and open it again from the new location.
• Check for OneNote updates: Running the latest version ensures you have fixes for known issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the default save location for all new notebooks?

In OneNote 2016, you can select the save location each time you create a new notebook, but there’s no global setting to change the default folder. In OneNote for Windows 10 and Mac, new notebooks always save to OneDrive or SharePoint.

Why can’t I save OneNote notebooks locally on Windows 10 or Mac?

These versions are designed to work with cloud storage for better syncing and collaboration. Local saving is only supported in OneNote 2016 on Windows.

How do I move a notebook from one OneDrive account to another?

You need to download the notebook folder from the first OneDrive account using the OneDrive website, then upload it to the second account. After that, open it in OneNote from the new location.

Will moving a notebook break shared links?

Yes, moving notebooks to a new location changes their URL, so shared links will no longer work. You will need to share the notebook again from the new location.

Is it safe to move notebooks between devices?

Yes, but always close notebooks before moving and ensure they fully sync to avoid data loss or corruption.

How can I tell where my notebook is currently saved?

In OneNote 2016, go to File > Info and look under the notebook name for the path or URL. In other versions, check the notebook properties or use the OneDrive website.

By following these steps and tips, you can confidently change where OneNote saves your notebooks, ensuring better organization, accessibility, and collaboration tailored to your needs.

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