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I have looked for information regarding this, but it is all out of date.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
    2023-02-11T14:03:35+00:00

    I believe that it is wrong for it to default to this setting. It should ask if you want the files saved locally only, saved locally and synced, or saved on the cloud and made available. I only want my pictures and computer settings backed up, not every little thing that I am working on and saving. I tend to save items that I am working on to my desktop so I see them and finish them, and then delete them. Now I have to go digging for them or set something special up for what should be common sense. I chose Desktop, that means Desktop, not three clicks away in a cloud folder. I am having to explain where people's files are continually. I feel that this is not being done for convenience. I feel that they are doing this just make you pay for storage that you don't really need.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-02-13T03:14:28+00:00

    I don't think a restatement of the problem helps.

    We all know what's happening - per MS marketing materials..

    The issue (and apologies for terseness) is that defaulting cloud, irrespective of your definitions, means data is being copied from your laptop to another location.

    Irrespective of MS intentions it's a significant data and privacy breach. UAC isn't even triggered when your data starts to flow to onedrive.

    As the owner of my data, and being an informed consumer, I do not wish my data to be uploaded anywhere without my express and explicit action to do so - to a location of my choosing.

    To have this occur invisibly and by default, without any indications or control, is a mad mad breach of privacy.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-02-13T03:16:16+00:00

    I see you are an 'independent advisor'.. meaning a contractor working for MS?

    Could you please ensure this issue is passed up the line? It's a significant breach of data privacy.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-02-20T06:20:44+00:00

    I have been liking OneDrive and using a lot. When I found all my documents - including tax returns - had been uploaded to the web into shared folders, I uninstalled OneDrive immediately. The OneDrive folder is still there, but that's a minor annoyance. Tomorrow I will move all files into the proper Documents folder and pin that to Quick Access.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-02-20T08:47:09+00:00

    Unless you do all the BS we outlined here, it will keep trying to put everything in the onedrive documents folder, and it will try to hide the fact that it is in the onedrive directory. It is extremely aggressive so I recommend you do the regedits too.

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