Error 0x8007016A: The cloud file provider is not running. OneDrive Access Lost. Cannot open, copy, or move files.

Anonymous
2023-05-22T14:47:06+00:00

I lost access to a OneDrive account. I cannot regain access to that account. Many (or all) of the files for my OneDrive were present on the local PC when access was lost, but they were in the process of being synced with the cloud copy. The files are now marked with a grey X on the file icon. Any effort to move or copy the files gets the Error 0x8007016A error. Any effort to open the files in Word, Excel, Acrobat get error messages that the file can't be opened.

I believe the files are present on the local PC because the filenames have the correct extensions and the file sizes are what you would expect for a full copy.

It appears like all of these files are locked in some kind of "sync" status for OneDrive that makes them unavailable. Is there any way to force a change in that status to unlock them? I don't need the cloud version, the version on the local PC will be fine.

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
    2025-05-07T05:26:46+00:00

    Good day! I'm Dhanam a Windows user like you and I'll be happy to assist you today. I know this has been difficult for you, Rest assured, I'm going to do my best to help you.

    The error message "Error 0x8007016A: The cloud file provider is not running." could mean that OneDrive syncing is turned off. You can easily enable it in OneDrive's settings:
    Sign in to OneDrive on your device, and then select the OneDrive icon ( ) in the taskbar notification area.
    Select Help & Settings ( ) > Settings. ...
    Reset OneDrive.
    (Optional) After you reset OneDrive, turn on Files On-Demand if you need it.
    Try again to copy files in OneDrive,

    you can also try the solution in this page:
    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

    I hope this helps. If this is not exactly what you need, please explain more so that I can help you better.

    Regards
    Dhanam

    This is a regular problem for me and every day I have to get it syncing by clicking on Start, my name, My Microsoft Account, One Drive Backed up, and if I am lucky it starts synching again!!! Recently I went over my limit and tried to delete files which it would not let me do.

    It seemed like it was frozen so eventually I paid £2.99 a month to get an extra 200GB. I am now paying this but still cannot delete files. I cannot add them either.

    I cannot find this Settings you speak of. I am going insane!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-22T15:21:44+00:00

    jeg kan ikke slette mine spil

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-05-22T16:13:06+00:00

    translated - I can't delete my games.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-05-26T10:22:38+00:00

    I do NOT need Micrsoft taking control of my computer and uploading my files to OneCloud. I never asked for this. Its completely preventing me from moving files unless I bow down to it.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-05-26T14:43:50+00:00

    Preach. I no longer sign in so it leaves me alone. I have a large DropBox folder and a company Google Drive and it kept trying to upload all, plus I would open a file and close it and then could not find the updated version, then realized OneDrive had kidnapped it. And New Outlook is just as bad. You wonder if the software engineers are just not familiar with the way people conduct business or if it is simply about marketing.

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