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: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2024-07-25T20:41:22+00:00

    Can you explain, step by step, how to manually move the documents folder from one drive once One Drive is turned off. I think I turned off one drive (it is gray in the system tray but when I go to the file explorer and try to move the folder, it just provides me with a link to access them online. HELP!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-07-23T14:26:10+00:00

    Hi,

    This has also happened to me last night, 22/07/24 (07/22/24 for US users), OneDrive suddenly decided to back up (move) my entire photos, music, videos, downloads, documents etc, this is 175GB of data, these were not in anyway set to be backed up, as I provide YouTube content, I need these files locally so I can edit them, not linked to my OneDrive.

    Before anyone says turn off syncing, it is and always has been, the only exception is my documents folder which I do use on my tablet and phone. This is highly unacceptable, as I should not have to re-download my own files, that were moved without my consent, nor should I have to rename/create new folders just to stop it (OneDrive) from going rogue.

    Microsoft this was your **** so provide a decent solution that does not require hours of my time and work fixing your mistake, which I will be sending you the bill for at £75 per hour.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-07-01T05:43:12+00:00

    I purposefully delayed Windows Updates & unlinked my desktop from OneDrive because they infiltrate your standalone desktop like an insidious octopus. I also keep files under local storage [My PC] intentionally so they DON'T get uploaded into OneDrive. However, I believe the file path probably includes OneDrive anyway but at least I knew where they were? I've updated Windows over the weekend & now it's moved all folders nested under My PC & scattered them, I think, under One Drive Libraries. This is TOO much & if I was more computer savvy I would remove MS Windows from all my devices & use Linux. Ridiculous that you pay for your desktop, your MS subscription, unlink from OneDrive & they STILL mess with your systems.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-03-29T12:09:16+00:00

    Completely agree, terrible communication by microsoft - This is a real concern for any customer - is it legal to do this?

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments