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
    2025-01-28T04:31:41+00:00

    You nailed it.Couldn't agree to each point you wrote.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-06T06:45:15+00:00

    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.

    Craig, my advice to you is to also at least admit this is idiotic on Microsoft's part. OneDrive is turned on automatically without asking folks on a fresh install. It starts and does it's thing without any warning or a full explanation before even gaining permission from new computer buyers. This is ****! This is why people switch to Apple! If it's not OBVIOUS that Microsoft should explain fully and ask if people want OneDrive to be part of their Windows experience then that is a sign of SERIOUS dysfunction at Microsoft. You seem like a guy who is trying to help people. The first thing you can do to help others is to admit this is total BS on the part of Microsoft. Yes, it could be a helpful tool for some, but some people don't want their file structures changed after the fact. It should NOT be turned on by default. And I've seen it completely mess up people's files for certain applications given the way it does thing. It's poorly explained in the first place, but now they don't even bother explaining it to new users. Truly pathetic.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-06T12:51:28+00:00

    they hurt me for no reason! and that really *****!
    I'll never get over it. it is the last microsoft product I'll ever buy!

    it's taken a while but I have started to get the hang of apple. air mac i think it is.it is so different from any thingi have used before, but i really am getting it. and that is wonderful!!!!

    it breaks my heart all of the short stories I will never get back..

    years of my life just disappeared by Microsoft.

    i hope they can sleep at night.

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  4. Craig Long 18,550 Reputation points
    2025-02-06T18:37:28+00:00

    I admit it.

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