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

Anonymous

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!

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Answer accepted by question author

Craig Long 18,550

"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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136 additional answers

Anonymous

2024-03-23T22:35:14+00:00

I have had a file in OneDrive named Pictures. I used that file as the screen saver on my computer. I only put photos in that file that I wanted to see repeatedly on screen saver. Recently I noticed my screen saver was showing pictures that had never been in the Pictures file. Some of them were photos I had saved in my regular drive, but they were NOT in the Pictures folder. Some of them were pictures I'd never seen and have no idea where they came from - unless they were on the computer from something I'd downloaded from online. - WHY did all the photos on my computer suddenly appear in that OneDrive pictures file? If I delete the ones I do not want so I can have the screen saver I want, will they stay deleted? Is there anything special I need to do to eliminate them being in that file?
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Anonymous

2024-03-23T22:02:23+00:00

From what I am understanding we can copy and past them back into our local drives, pc or otherwise.

From what I read from the people giving advice, and if you check the threads, we are given a link on how to turn sync off.

I think I am reading that perhaps renaming the file folders in OneDrive, and locally should not be the conventional, and one thread even gave a file naming that I am going to research.

Wish MS would have chat option. This would actually make them seem a company of humans and not just AI chatbots.

The MS help feature was AMAZING!!!!

Human Supremely the BEST.

I was impressed with Bill Gates back then.
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Anonymous

2024-03-23T21:58:33+00:00

I am actually afraid I am seeing the same thing, but, it may just be that I am finding that the folders were so cleanly moved in total that I have to recreate the folders.

Hoping not and that I can simply copy all my folders, and paste them back.

Then, from what I have read, we need to rename our local folders to be named differently than what OneDrive has them named, and then make sure daily or when you computer is on that OneDrive syncing is turned off. Always, so that the integrity of your files use is where you want it, and accessible.

I would like to think it was just a glitch and the original intention was really MS trying to put coding in to be able to make sure they help us not to lose our memories, and our creations.

I have worked in IT and mistakes happen; and it means late nights sleeping on server room floors while taking turns installing fixes before the world wakes up and shows up again.

My curious story writing/producer logic is wondering if this was done so that all our data could be simultaneously loaded into A.I., which is the new game we are all on a chessboard living to amuse the conductors of our living are playing for.

They could at least compensate us and include us in the enjoyment of it all.

Give us less taxes, and lower prices for living. Take us back into times of less stress and more enjoyment of our days and nights and BEing.

They might just enjoy it. To be the richest and most appreciated....what a novelle idea.

A bit off topic, and a wild wondering...but that is why I am a great writer I suppose...and Producer...smiles everyone. Hope you get your files and photos, etc., back.
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Anonymous

2024-03-23T21:44:02+00:00

Hi shollybee,

How do I put my folders back into local hard drive on my PC?
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