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
    2024-02-12T00:30:07+00:00

    Thank you, moderators, for taking your time to help us who know far less. I mean that. But I ask why no one has (I haven't seen) explained why Microsoft can just TAKE our files WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION, and offer no relatively simple option for THEM to move back what they STOLE in the first place?

    --> Second, can we have a simple solution from someone who understands this better, on how to get our files back to our computers and leave One Drive as our safety-backup (optional)? Call me a "Cynic," but like so many others, I see the inevitable charging for all online storage of OUR files after they STOLE THEM in the first place, and for us "less-techie" users, made it so confusing and frustrating to get them back (and many of us will likely just give up). Why is Microsoft not being held accountable for this?!!!

    I can't answer that since I don't work for Microsoft. You can type the words "Feedback Hub" in the Windows start menu and leave feedback to Microsoft to make your opinion known.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-02-11T18:32:35+00:00

    Thank you, moderators, for taking your time to help us who know far less. I mean that. But I ask why no one has (I haven't seen) explained why Microsoft can just TAKE our files WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION, and offer no relatively simple option for THEM to move back what they STOLE in the first place?

    --> Second, can we have a simple solution from someone who understands this better, on how to get our files back to our computers and leave One Drive as our safety-backup (optional)? Call me a "Cynic," but like so many others, I see the inevitable charging for all online storage of OUR files after they STOLE THEM in the first place, and for us "less-techie" users, made it so confusing and frustrating to get them back (and many of us will likely just give up). Why is Microsoft not being held accountable for this?!!!

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  3. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2024-02-11T05:32:42+00:00

    I understand One Drive as a backup for my files in case I have a hard disk problem or whatever. I can appreciate that, but why completely remove them from my computer completely? I want to save my files on my computer locally, and as I said, know that One Drive is my back-up. If I download my removed files from One Drive, will One Drive not just remove them again like they previously have? I'm no computer expert, but I can't even find any of these folders, empty or not, on my C drive anymore.

    I don't know why OneDrive removed your files. If you are on the free plan you need to take precautions and not sync large amounts of data from your computer to the cloud. OneDrive syncing only applies to the Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, and the OneDrive folder. So with the syncing of those folders turned OFF at Manage backup you need not worry about automated OneDrive backups.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-02-10T19:26:18+00:00

    I understand One Drive as a backup for my files in case I have a computer crash or whatever. I can appreciate that, but why remove them from my computer completely rather than leave them there and sync routinely (scheduled) to keep One Drive simply as a complete backup? I want to save and access my files on my computer locally, and as I said, know that One Drive is my back-up. IS THIS POSSIBLE?

    Download them back onto my computer? Where? My local folders are gone, and I have no idea how to find them or create new ones.

    Why is Microsoft not being held accountable for STEALING our files from us? Yes, I have no doubt that they will eventually charge for storing our files, but I NEVER AGREED to become part of a captive audience where I have no choice! Charge us as a backup service? Fine. At least then I/we have a choice...

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