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
    2024-09-23T19:20:55+00:00

    I suppose I could live with onedrive but it puts all my stuff into the music folder in the onedrive cloud how do I get it back to normal

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-09-11T17:11:26+00:00

    Where are the Microsoft employees who should be apologizing!!!!

    This is garbage moving people's files without asking permission first, a bunch of pompous asses!!!

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  3. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2024-09-02T19:23:25+00:00

    I'm in the same situation as the previous complaint regarding removing my files to onedrive. I don't know how to uninstall or how to get them back as they were. I want my files stored locally. We really should have the option to change our methods of filing.
    Auto updating should not exist without an explanation of changes. Please help me restore my files.

    Thank you

    Locate Manage Backup in the OneDrive settings. Toggle the folders you see there to OFF. Go to your OneDrive folder, right-click each folder within OneDrive, go to Properties, to the Location tab, and restore the default location.

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  4. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2024-08-16T23:01:30+00:00

    ALL of my cherished photos, videos, letters, spreadsheets... EVERYTHING.... simply disappeared from my computer when I turned off one drive.

    The OneDrive folder is located at C>Users>username>OneDrive. Your files will remain in that folder unless you move them to another place on your computer.

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