A program freezes when it opens files in OneDrive
Older desktop programs can freeze on files that are stored online-only. One setting fixes it.
Some older desktop programs, such as print-shop and greeting-card software, design tools, and similar older programs, freeze or show "Not Responding" when they open or even browse files stored in OneDrive. Here is why, and the one-step fix.
Do this first: keep the folder on this device
- If the program is frozen, close it first. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find the program, and choose End task if it will not close on its own.
- Open File Explorer and find the folder that holds the files.
- Right-click the folder (the whole folder is best) and choose Always keep on this device.
- Wait for OneDrive to finish. The cloud badges turn into green checks.
- Reopen the program. The files open without freezing.
Choosing the whole folder means any new files you create in it stay local automatically too, so the problem does not come back.
Why it happens. OneDrive keeps some files online-only to save space, and only downloads them when you open them. You can spot them by the blue cloud outline next to the file. Older programs do not wait for a download gracefully: they sit there waiting for OneDrive to pull the file down and lock up. Is OneDrive working, and is my file safe? shows every badge.
Worth knowing
- This keeps your files in OneDrive, still backed up to the cloud, and on your computer. You get both.
- It uses a little local disk space, but most of these project files are small, so it is rarely a concern.
Did this not sort it out?
If a program still struggles after this, tell us. The files can be moved to a regular folder outside OneDrive, but that is rarely needed and it is worth doing with us so nothing loses its backup.
Tell Michael which step you got to and what the screen says. A photo of the screen from your phone is perfect.