I downloaded the app from onedrive.live.com

I have the same on Windows 7 and it works fine.

I understand Windows 8.1 comes with OneDrive app installed.  I don't want to use the app anyway, because I like to access the drive using the Windows Explorer like what I can with Windows 7.

Incidentally I don't want to log on using a Microsoft email address.  When I do log on using a Microsoft email address, it asks for security check and it never sends the security code on my mobile and when it does it would be hours later when I have the computer shut down.  So it is not satisfactory.

Hi healee,

Based on your description, the current situation seems your Microsoft account issue instead of OneDrive app.

Let's resolve this problem firstly:

Sign in your Windows live account from the address below

https://login.live.com/

If you still cannot sign in successfully, please ask in this Windows Live forum for professional solution:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/oemail?tab=Threads

After that, logon your OneDrive to check the result.

Beside that, I recommend you use the Microsoft account for your computer, since then you could use the OneDrive under Windows Explorer like Windows 7.

I got no problem logging on to my outlook email account and so I can access onedrive.

Logging on to Microsoft account is not a real issue to me at this stage.  That was only an incidental issue as I said.  I use the same Microsoft account for this forum.

I just want to be able to access the onedrive on Windows 8.1 like Windows 7 through Windows Explore not through an app.

Hi,

For Windows 8.1, unless you sign in the Microsoft account, you cannot use it under File Explorer like Windows 7.

If you install the desktop app on a PC running Windows 8.1, Setup won't appear. A setting will be installed that lets you use Office to work on OneDrive documents with other people at the same time, but no other features will be installed.

Thus I suggest you connect your Microsoft account to the local account to achieve you goal.

Incidentally I don't want to log on using a Microsoft email address.  When I do log on using a Microsoft email address, it asks for security check and it never sends the security code on my mobile and when it does it would be hours later when I have the computer shut down.  So it is not satisfactory.

According to your original post information, it should be your account security protect issue, like I said, it's recommend you ask Windows live account forum to check why it didn't send the security code to you.

If I log on using the Microsoft account, would I be able to access the onedrive in the Windows Explorer.  If I would be able, how to go about it?  Is it just a matter of installing the app again?  Thanks!

Hi,

Of course, if you sign in the Windows with the Microsoft account, you could use the OneDrive under Windows Explorer like me:

You needn't install any app again , since OneDrive is build-in with Windows 8.1. I would like to suggest you follow this guide to start with OneDrive in Windows 8.1:

Getting started with OneDrive

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/getting-started-onedrive-tutorial

If you have any other question or unclear about this issue, please feel free to contact us.