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 18,630 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
    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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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2024-03-23T21:42:41+00:00

    Thank you all for your experiences and sharing of your solutions.

    If I may simplify what you are telling us; I have to create folders on my PC and create local folders to place my files back into.

    I should then either:

    1. rename the folders in OneDrive so that they do not by default assume the right to take all my documents to the Microsoft Cloud,
    2. have local document folders that I will save named the same as OneDrive that I use for sharing only,
    3. Bottom-line: make sure documents I don't want on MS OneDrive Cloud to be without my knowledge transfer during an "update" of my system to OneDrive?

    Will that work?

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-03-21T05:54:52+00:00

    me too

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