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
    2024-09-23T23:57:36+00:00

    What's the point of buying laptops with 1TB of disk space if things are going to migrate to onedrive anyways ?

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-24T21:57:24+00:00

    Despite all this talk about this "Grab" going back and forth between us users, I have yet to hear anything from Microsoft. As they have GRABBED our files without our permission, will they offer us an "Opt-out," and if chosen, return our files just as they've stolen them? I suspect they'll just announce one day that they're going to start charging us to store our files and we'll have to scramble for ourselves.

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  3. 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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  4. Anonymous
    2023-10-04T13:30:22+00:00

    Hi PeterHers,

    Thanks for contacting us. To cease the synchronization, navigate to the OneDrive cloud icon located on the taskbar, then access "Settings," proceed to "Sync and backup," and finally, select "Manage backup." From there, switch the synchronization for the folders to the "OFF" position.

    Ref: https://answers.microsoft.com/thread/702f5536-a797-4474-9a7b-7b53beb71aab

    I hope this helps.

    Regards, Sola

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