Windows 11 or Onedrive has moved all my files into Onedrive. What is going on?

Anonymous
2023-10-04T10:54:25+00:00

A couple of days back I found that somehow all my files and folders on my Win 11 PC under C:\users.. have suddenly been moved into my Onedrive.
I keep many files under local storage intentionally so that they DON'T get uploaded into Onedrive. Now I see all these files being uploaded into Onedrive, which I DON'T want.
I have been using Onedrive for over 2 years.
How did this happen? How do I reverse it?
Microsoft, you are too much!

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows

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Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
2023-10-13T02:51:52+00:00

"So here is my supposition: OneDrive, by default, at some update in the last few months, automatically turned on SYNC, and my Documents folder (and Pictures and Desktop) all got moved to OneDrive folders.

I since then, used the info here to turn off the sync of these folders. But that did not move them back, so they continued to live in OneDrive and continued to sync."

Yes. The OneDrive folder is always there even when you uninstall OneDrive. However, if OneDrive is uninstalled, then it no longer syncs to the online OneDrive.

"PS - I am assuming that if you turn sync on, it moves those folders from the username folder to the OneDrive folder."

Yes, that's right. There is no problem leaving them in the OneDrive folder unless they start syncing again.

"But if you turn sync off, it does nothing, as it does not move the folders back again. And the only thing that will sync in OneDrive, are the actual folders and files in the OneDrive folder structure. Hence why you have to manually move the folders back again."

Yes

To stop the "Sync and Backup" of your folders, go to Manage Backup in the OneDrive Settings. In Windows 11, you will find Manage Backup at OneDrive Settings > Sync and Backup tab > Manage Backup.

"C:>Users>username>ManilaFolders" is a good location on the C drive to hide data from OneDrive**.** An external drive and a separate data partition are great ways to avoid OneDrive.

Create and format a data partition

If sync turns on by itself or OneDrive reinstalls without asking, you may want to avoid the Documents folder and the other standard folders.

A YouTube video explaining more about this is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yXgyrsqraE

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-07-26T04:54:58+00:00

    Do you or does anyone know if there's an option to keep One Drive as a backup if my computer crashes or whatever, but still keep my files on my computer?

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  2. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2024-07-26T02:40:51+00:00

    If I uninstall onedrive from my apps, will I be able to access the folders online?

    Yes, but uninstalling OneDrive is not the best solution. The best way to go is to learn to live with OneDrive and avoid it when you don't want files syncing to it. But that is just my opinion.

    How do I then copy or move the documents folder from the cloud based one drive to the hard drive on my computer without having to download each individual file independently?

    The OneDrive app is the best downloader for your OneDrive files. The OneDrive folder is located at C>Users>YourUsername>OneDrive. The Documents folder where the Documents are synced is located at C>Users>YourUsername>OneDrive>Documents.

    If you turn off the Documents folder sync at Manage Backup in the OneDrive Settings, you can move the folder from C>Users>YourUsername>OneDrive>Documents to C>Users>YourUsername>Documents. Right-click the Documents folder > Properties > Location > Restore default.

    Thank you for your previous reply and your assistance.

    You're welcome.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-07-25T07:30:08+00:00

    You can uninstall OneDrive, that I think should help any further issues from occurring.

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  4. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2024-07-24T09:34:49+00:00

    microsoft   onedrive stole all of my files! now they say, if I don't add storage , they will HAVE to delete 15.5 gigs worth of my my folders ! is there any help, out there? 

    they stole my files now they are black mailing me, to buy more storage. all I want are my files back . and don't worry, I would rather die! than ever again buy anything from windows! plenty of people use apple. i learnt how to use windows i can learn how to use apple! 

    thank you very much! 

    bob

    Why not subscribe for free and then cancel before payment is required? That will give you time to remove your files from OneDrive.

    Free Trial - Try Microsoft 365 for a month

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