Onedrive is horrible, invasive and impossible

Anonymous
2023-02-09T16:57:08+00:00

Without my knowledge or consent, when I plugged in my new Dell computer and signed in to my MS 365 account, all my files were put in a cloud including copies of driver's licenses, passports, and family medical records. I thought okay, I'll just take them out of the cloud, which as we now understand also deletes them from the desktop.

I have gone back and forth about a dozen times in emails with MS techs. Some of their advice caused all of my files to disappear from my computer. I asked repeatedly if there is a way to choose what to backup and got no answer from MS. I've had a tech at my home twice, and he finds there is no way to manually backup or choose what files to backup. We decided to quit onedrive. I now have duplicates of files and paths still pointing to onedrive, so I will have to get more help with this. Research that I have been working on for years has been convoluted and possibly lost due to multiple duplicates.

I've been working from home for over 30 years and have never had problems like this. I'm used to figuring out solutions, but this is beyond absurd. I simply bought a new computer to replace my 10-year-old machine and am now in this nightmare.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2023-11-01T06:34:15+00:00

Thanks for this, VJA142. I wish I had seen these before I turned on my new PC. After watching the video you suggested and Leo's The Problem with OneDrive Backup, I'm less confused and beginning to wrap my head around it. I don't use the "Documents" folder and have individual folders on my desktop where I save things, but I get the gist.

Good suggestion too about automatic updates. I have always paused updates for several weeks and do one computer at a time to manage the nasty surprises.

Hi Enerak, glad you found Leo’s YouTube videos Re OneDrive helpful, I know I sure did, the light finally came on for me. He also has a web page (ask Leo.com) where he posts articles with links to his videos. The replies to his OneDrive articles are like this forum, full of people (including some IT types) who are all experiencing issues with OneDrive.

What’s crazy is that we all PAID for this Microsoft software, with many of us having invested in new computer hardware, only to turn on our PC’s and have our digital lives literally scrambled and yanked inside out.

I’m glad we’ve had this forum to vent & share info!

Thanks, Vikki

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  1. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2023-02-13T19:19:37+00:00

    When sync is turned off I cannot open some documents. There was an entire folder I could not open. This makes no sense, and Microsoft's complete lack of meaningful support is appalling. Onedrive is insidious.

    Right click the file or folder and select "Always keep on this device". If the file or folder has a blue cloud icon it will need to download in order to open.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-02-13T14:25:23+00:00

    When sync is turned off I cannot open some documents. There was an entire folder I could not open. This makes no sense, and Microsoft's complete lack of meaningful support is appalling. Onedrive is insidious.

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  3. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2023-02-09T20:19:05+00:00

    Thanks but I've tried turning off backup. It deletes everything from the desktop. Then I have to go back to the onedrive cloud and download everything back onto my desktop in a jumbled mess. This is an absurd vicious circle.

    When syncing the Desktop folder to OneDrive the desktop displays the folder located at C:\Users\username\OneDrive\Desktop. When you stop the backup then your desktop displays the folder at C:\Users\username\Desktop which may be empty. I suggest you go to C:\Users\username\OneDrive\Desktop and move the files back to C:\Users\username\Desktop.

    Do the same for your Documents, Pictures, (and Videos and Music folders if available). OneDrive shouldn't be a problem as long as you keep the syncing turned OFF. The settings for syncing these locations are not in the "Choose folders" settings. They are in the "Manage backup" settings.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-02-09T19:31:32+00:00

    Thanks but I've tried turning off backup. It deletes everything from the desktop. Then I have to go back to the onedrive cloud and download everything back onto my desktop in a jumbled mess. This is an absurd vicious circle.

    I spoke to the tech and we've decided to back up my entire desktop to a portable drive. Then we will uninstall one drive, let it delete everything, and load back from the portable drive to my computer. I am unsure whether this will completely stop onedrive.

    I've filed a complaint with the FTC and will also file with BBB, even though it will probably not accomplish anything except to warn others about this onedrive horror show.

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