Windows 11 - documents folder is linked to onedrive instead of the pc storage. can't unlink it.

Anonymous
2022-08-26T22:34:31+00:00

I recently got a new laptop and I'm not sure how windows 11 works. I noticed that my documents folder was just my OneDrive, which i don't want.

When i tried to redirect it to the main storage, i get:

I'm not sure how to get it to work.

I don't want to unlink my onedrive completely because i use it often to transfer files.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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Brian Tillman 27,030 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2022-08-26T23:08:01+00:00

Hi. I'm Brian and I will do my best to help you.

Go into the Settings on OneDrive, select the Backup tab and uncheck Documents (and Desktop and Pictures if you wish) and those folders should get moved back to their position under C:\Users<youraccount>, unless you've manually created folders of the same name, which is not the correct approach.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-03-25T00:36:40+00:00

    Once you stop the backups you have to unlink. However, BERORE you unlink, backup those files in the c:\username\onedrive folder (i.e. the false documents folder).

    When you unlink, the desktop now acts like a normal desktop -----> c:\username\desktop

    However, the documents folder and the pictures folder still point to the OneDrive folder on your computer no matter what you do. Even just a few months ago, we could reset the documents folder to the REAL documents folder -- it really messes up File Explorer. I am still trying to find solutions this problem as the process that worked a few months ago no longer work. I do not want a solution that requires registry modifications or writing a long command at the dos prompt.

    Now right clicking on the c:\username\onedrive\documents folder no longer provides a tab for LOCATION so you can choose where to move those files to the correct documents folder c:\username\documents.

    So what happened between a couple of months ago when that used to work? Microsoft Updates (at least 3 of them). I can't prove that is what has caused it, but all I can say is that I need to find a new way of resetting file explorer so it recognizes the REAL documents folder You can't even pin the real documents folder to Quick Access.

    The same holds true for the pictures folder. This is totally messed up.

    This should never be like this. Microsoft MISREPRESENTED what OneDrive is and how it works, It is NOT a backup system, It is a Synching your computer to their server storage (which by the way, is only 5GB. Want more storage in the cloud, pay up. Also since Microsoft is a subscription, wonder what will happen to all those files that have been sucked (hijacked) into the cloud on their servers if you don't pay your subscription? This is vile

    Also, everyone, you need to not store any sensitive data into the cloud. Sorry, anything that has account numbers, SS numbers, or bank statements should NEVER go into the cloud.

    Instead of complaining, go to the FTC website and file an ANTITRUST complaint. It is about time Microsoft needs to provide a solution THAT WILL WORK flawlessly to unlink ONEDRIVE from your computer. That is my computer, Microsoft should not have their hooks into my computer.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-24T13:22:45+00:00

    Doesn't work.

    Docs folder just keeps coming back on (new) laptop. Not on desktop. And the other non-synched folders stay on laptop.

    Same MS 365 license on both machines

    Should add I am on Windows 11 on laptop and Windows 10 on Desktop

    Image

    OneDrive seems to be secretly installed and programmed to takeover your files whether you like it or not. Ive read many complaints from all over the internet by people annoyed with this feature. It is worse than TicTok, because that is a consous choice

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-03-01T13:25:18+00:00

    Microsoft has been ruined for the sake of copying iOS. Ever since nadella became CEO it's just another copycat software. I reformatted my drives and installed Linux as my daily driver.... Can't deal with software that has a hundreds of fan boys each with their own recipe to make it work

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-03-01T12:43:28+00:00

    Doesn't work.

    Docs folder just keeps coming back on (new) laptop. Not on desktop. And the other non-synched folders stay on laptop.

    Same MS 365 license on both machines

    Should add I am on Windows 11 on laptop and Windows 10 on Desktop

    Image

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
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