Change OneNote Backup Folder Location

To change the default location of OneNote backup files, you must adjust the settings within OneNote itself—there is no separate system-level setting. In OneNote for Windows 10 and the desktop version, go to File > Options > Save & Backup, then under Backup, click Back Up All Notebooks Now to create a backup, and use the Change button next to “Backup folder” to select a new location. This article explains the exact steps for different OneNote versions, why the backup folder matters, common issues, and how to manage your backup files safely.

Why OneNote Creates Backups

OneNote automatically saves a copy of your notebooks to a local backup folder. This is a safety net: if your main notebook file becomes corrupted, or if you accidentally delete a page, you can restore from the backup. The backup folder is separate from the live notebook location, which is often on OneDrive or a SharePoint server. By default, OneNote stores backups in a folder under your user profile, but you can move it to another drive or folder to free up space on your system drive or to keep backups on an external drive.

How to Change the Backup Folder in OneNote (Desktop)

The desktop version of OneNote (often called OneNote 2016 or OneNote for Windows) has the most comprehensive backup settings. Follow these steps:

1. Open OneNote and click File in the top-left corner.
2. Click Options at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
3. In the OneNote Options dialog, click Save & Backup in the left sidebar.
4. Under the Backup section, you’ll see a field labeled Backup folder. Click the Change button next to it.
5. Browse to the folder where you want backups to be saved, select it, and click Select.
6. Click OK to close the Options dialog.
7. To apply the change immediately, go back to File > Options > Save & Backup and click Back Up All Notebooks Now.

Note: The backup folder setting applies to all notebooks. You cannot set a different backup location per notebook.

How to Change the Backup Folder in OneNote for Windows 10

The UWP version of OneNote (the one that comes pre-installed with Windows 10) has a simpler interface but still allows you to change the backup folder. Here’s how:

1. Open OneNote for Windows 10.
2. Click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
3. Click Options at the bottom of the settings pane.
4. Under Backup, you’ll see a section for backup location. Click Change and select a new folder.
5. You can also toggle the Automatically back up notebooks option on or off.

This version does not offer a “Back Up All Notebooks Now” button; backups happen automatically according to the schedule you set.

How to Change the Backup Folder on Mac

OneNote for Mac also allows you to change the backup folder, but the steps differ slightly:

1. Open OneNote on your Mac.
2. Click OneNote in the menu bar and select Preferences.
3. Click Backup.
4. Click the Change button next to “Backup folder” and choose a new location.
5. You can also set the backup frequency (e.g., every day, every week).

Note: On Mac, the backup folder is used for local notebook backups, not for OneDrive-synced notebooks.

What Happens to Old Backups?

When you change the backup folder, OneNote does not automatically move existing backup files to the new location. It will start saving new backups to the new folder, but old backups remain in the original folder. You can manually move or delete them. To ensure you have a backup in the new location, trigger a manual backup (if available) or wait for the next automatic backup cycle.

Common Problems and Solutions

• Backup folder option is grayed out: This can happen if you’re using a notebook that is stored on OneDrive and the local backup feature is disabled. Check if the “Automatically back up notebooks” option is enabled. If not, enable it first.
• Backup folder not sticking: If the setting reverts to the default, you may not have write permissions to the chosen folder. Choose a folder where you have full read/write access.
• Backups are too large: OneNote creates a full backup of each notebook, not just changes. If you have large notebooks, backups can consume significant disk space. Consider changing the backup frequency to weekly instead of daily, or move backups to an external drive.
• Cannot find the backup folder: The default backup folder is typically under %UserProfile%\Documents\OneNote Notebooks\Backup on Windows, but it can vary. Use the steps above to see the current location in the Options dialog.

How to Restore from a Backup

If you ever need to restore a notebook from a backup, open OneNote and go to File > Open > Backup. You’ll see a list of backup files. Select the one you want and click Open. The notebook will be restored as a separate copy, so you don’t overwrite your current notebook unless you choose to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the backup folder for only one notebook?

No, the backup folder setting is global. It applies to all notebooks in OneNote. You cannot set a different folder per notebook.

Does changing the backup folder move my existing backups?

No, it does not. Existing backup files stay in the old folder. You need to manually move them if you want them in the new location.

What is the default backup folder location?

On Windows, the default is usually C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\OneNote Notebooks\Backup. On Mac, it’s typically ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.onenote.mac/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/User Data/OneNote/Backup.

How often does OneNote create backups?

By default, OneNote backs up every 7 days. You can change this to every 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, or 14 days in the backup options.

Can I store backups on an external drive?

Yes, you can choose any folder that your computer can write to, including an external drive. However, if the drive is not connected when OneNote tries to back up, the backup will fail. Make sure the drive is connected during scheduled backups.

Why is my backup folder option missing?

If you are using OneNote for Windows 10 (the UWP app), the backup folder option is under Settings > Options. If you don’t see it, your version may be outdated, or you might be using OneNote for the web, which does not have local backups.

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