How Do I Get Windows 11 to Stop Saving Everything To OneDrive Folder Location?

Anonymous
2022-09-23T07:43:59+00:00

Howdy!

I just recently got a new laptop, OS Windows 11, and I was trying to ensure that despite not having OneDrive installed, that things were not saving to it, but...

As I was accessing some files online, I noticed that the location was C:\Users\ADMINUSERNAMEREDACTED\OneDrive for the Documents, Photos, DESKTOP(??why??) and Downloads files.

This error in file-folder path LITERALLY cost me a job opportunity!! I am absolutely beside myself and genuinely bummed about this.

I DO NOT want ANYTHING AT ALL, literally ever, in a OneDrive path.

I have looked for information regarding this, but it is all out of date.

I would like to keep the fancy icons, instead of just the regular file folder icon, if at all possible.

I appreciate any assistance. I can definitely provide information if need be.

Also, I have no idea what kind of "Product" and "App" this qualifies as, so I hope that what I have selected is okay.

Toodles!

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-06-02T15:39:24+00:00

    I tried, but once you disconnect OneDrive, you have no access to move the pictures to and from.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-06-02T15:34:22+00:00

    This does not solve the problem if the Sync filled the storage up to 15GB on OneDrive and how Windows 11 Explorer does not show the files from 'MY PICTURES' and 'MY DOCUMENTS' anymore.

    I can no longer find on my PC all MY PICTURES files .

    And I see the folders in OneDrive, but they are all empty when I click to open them.

    Did that update and automatic sync to OneDrive remove all the files from my PC? or did it just change the path to get to them ?

    I have looked for over 1 hour for the files and I am freaking out right now because I cannot find them anywhere on my pc.

    I disconnected the Sync to OneDrive but the files are nowhere to be found.

    And the stupid new Explorer view now shows duplicates of the folders that are all empty....

    IF SOMEONE FROM MICROSOFT READS THIS, you have succeeded in convincing a Windows user of 25 yrs to buy an Apple computer the next time. This is it . I have never hated Microsoft and cursed them as much as after this windows 11 update. Don't your programmers realize how much time and money you have lost your customers with this !

    I am not a tech person and I cannot risk trying one of these 'work around' solutions and hope not to lose my work!

    I need a SAFE WAY back to how my computer and windows was before that studid update PLEASE.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-06-01T05:11:03+00:00

    thanks so much,

    Microsoft should know that not everything must be saved in the user account, like what they are doing now by linking user applications. They think that this is easy to refer to when needed, but the truth is otherwise. For example, I do not prefer that everything be saved in the account. I prefer saving on my device only and not on the account. Microsoft is grateful to link your account with a set of applications for commercial purposes such as OneDrive, and this is totally unacceptable.I suggest Microsoft to unlink the account with the applications used. This would enable the user to work more freely and more independently. Linking is not a good idea.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-05-31T23:40:36+00:00

    thank you to everyone who posted to this miserable problem, I have also lost some work in this problem's process. There are many postings with different approaches, I have copied them all and now will attempt to address this problem. Thank you.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-05-31T23:40:25+00:00

    thank you to everyone who posted to this miserable problem, I have also lost some work in this problem's process. There are many postings with different approaches, I have copied them all and now will attempt to address this problem. Thank you.

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    4 people found this answer helpful.
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