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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

40+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

136 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2025-03-19T04:11:11+00:00

    OMG Im so sorry that happened to you! Just yesterday my PICTURES folder disappeared from my computer! No idea how or why but guess where I found it? ONE DRIVE! THAT POS STOLE MY STUFF AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I deleted it, disabled it but yet the thieves still keep stealing my stuff! Maybe someone should look into the legality of microsoft being able to do this with our stuff.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-03-19T00:44:32+00:00

    Thanks Craig!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2025-03-18T23:31:06+00:00

    Check out that video link with the red text at the top of the page.

    If you can search for a file and it comes up then maybe you haven't lost it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2025-03-18T23:24:40+00:00

    Also, it's probably too late but you can unlink your device from One Drive & disconnect it for the rest of time.

    You can do that, but first, toggle the folder sync to OFF at Manage Backup. Otherwise, the OneDrive folder will remain in the path of your folders.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xyywXnQpCU

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments