OneDrive automatically deleting files from OneDrive folder

Anonymous
2018-05-22T21:43:34+00:00

The OneDrive forum appears to have been locked, so I am trying this one.

I moved some large files (photos) to my OneDrive folder to share between PCs and left them synchronising.  When I came back to check on their progress, the files had disappeared from the PCs.  Looking at the OneDrive window it shows them being added to Onedrive then mysteriously being removed a few minutes later.  What on earth is going on?    I tried Ctrl & Z to see if it could undo the removal.  The files looked as if they were being restored - but just disappeared again.  It's a good job I noticed, otherwise I could have lost these files forever.  I can't afford to have my important files just disappearing like that.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-08-19T17:33:23+00:00

    I think this is the issue. Somehow when there are two PCs, both syncing, OneDrive gets 'confused' and starts deleting all the files that appear in conflict, when it should simply be XOR'ing the files and updating to the latest draft. Somehow, despite the same directories and files being on the two PCs, the comparison is finding that the directories on one are somehow different and 'older' than the other, and deleting data without simultaneously copying the newest data to the local store.

    It may also be a versioning issue; I run OneDrive on a Mac and a PC, and the deletions seem to happen when after I access the cloud share from a different PC, in my case, the Mac.

    I haven't had any response or inquiries from Microsoft regarding this problem.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-19T19:47:40+00:00

    I actually started a trouble ticket and spoke to their engineering support.  Basically got a refund for the time that I had onedrive and a scripted answer that OneDrive does not delete files.  It's absolutely a synching issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-26T02:44:15+00:00

    Unlinking the 2nd PC from onedrive, deleting all the synced folders on the 2nd PC, and signing back in seems to solve all the issues. I no longer see onedrive deleting files automatically. It has been 3 days and things appear to be normal.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-29T15:17:16+00:00

    I have had this issue several times now to the point where I don't dare keep two PCs syncing to MS cloud. Which is RIDICULOUS! That's the whole point of this.

    I am seriously considering ditching my MS account and use Dropbox as my syncing software. I find this absolutely crazy.

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-09-06T18:20:36+00:00

    I hope there is a solution soon. I "upgraded" our CEO to OneDrive on his laptop and desktop so that he would have access to his files in the Office and while traveling. While working on Performance reviews for staff to present to the Board, they are being deleted as fast as he can create them. After I restore them for him, entire folders go missing. I convinced our Admin Team that going with Office 365 would be a better choice than G Suite. I hope I will not regret this decision. We need an answer to this issue ASAP, Microsoft. I am also a Microsoft Partner, and cannot recommend Office 365 products until this is resolved. I have an open case, with no resolution.

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