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. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2024-08-16T22:58:15+00:00

    recycle bin while onedrive is uploading are my files being deleted into the recycle bin? its showing folders in my recycle been

    No, your files shouldn't be going to the recycle bin unless you are deleting them or removing them from the OneDrive folder. All files within the OneDrive folder sync to the online OneDrive.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-08-16T18:12:00+00:00

    recycle bin while onedrive is uploading are my files being deleted into the recycle bin? its showing folders in my recycle been

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-08-16T18:09:48+00:00

    my music is in serato but while onedrive is downloading serato cannot be accessed

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  4. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2024-07-28T04:33:20+00:00

    I am absolutely SICK and TIRED of my files automatically going into ONEDRIVE.

    I wish Microsoft fixes this issue with a simple ability to select where my files should be.

    The selection of folders business does NOT work. Perhaps its time to move to Apple.

    I am that SICK of this.

    I have to copy files to external drive, delete everything from onedrive, reset everything

    and then put files back. WHY WHY WHY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Why put them back if you are having these problems? Create a data-only partition on your hard drive. Or create new manila folders and place them at C:>Users>username. To manage OneDrive more easily, only sync the Desktop folder to OneDrive since that needs the system folder—it cannot be a manila folder.

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