One drive has messed up my whole PC. How do I get my files back on my PC, and switch off one drive forever. (Please dont answer a question I did not ask)?

Microsoft needs to fix this issue, Microsoft may call it a backup feature, but it is not.

Microsoft assumed we wanted to backup our desktop (and other stuff), without ever asking me. When I go into the OD app and unselected the option, OD did not know how to undo it. What it does instead is to remove the files on the Desktop and now the only copies are in OD. OD should delete the OD copy (because I unselected the option) and leave my Desktop copy alone.

The above directions do not work.

In File Explorer, I select OneDrive and then right click. "Always keep on this device" is not provided as an option.

I don't have the exact same problem, but since Microsoft in its infinite wisdom (or lack thereof!) refuses to let me post what my problem actually is and then has the unmitigated gall to claim that it resolved my problem, this seems to be the only way I can possibly get Microsoft to pay attention to me.

This is my initial request to support:

"I don't want to automatically sync files to One Drive! For some reason, when I booted up my computer this morning, it went through steps to "set up" my computer. I have no idea why Microsoft insisted on doing this, because there had been no updates to Windows. In any case, one of the screens talked about syncing all files with OneDrive. Unlike the other screens, there was no "skip it" option, only "got it". Now, the English definition of "got it" is that I understand it - NOT go ahead and do whatever you feel like doing. So now, all my files are automatically syncing to OneDrive, WHICH IS NOT WHAT I WANT! I use OneDrive to backup files my computer, but I encrypt them first. I do not want any unencrypted files backed up to the cloud! If I try to pause syncing, and select "Quit OneDrive", it says that files in my OneDrive folder won't sync or backup to the cloud. I have no idea what that means! Does that mean my OneDrive is not backed up to the cloud? If so, then what is the point of OneDrive? I would like to go back to where things were before, when OneDrive was indeed on the cloud and any backing up to it was initiated by me, not Microsoft!"

I was instructed by Microsoft tech support I merely need to pause syncing and then quit OneDrive.

Unfortunately, OneDrive automatic backup is a zombie that will not die! Despite my quitting it, it insists on backing up every file to OneDrive.

I have twice told the tech support representative that my problem was not solved, but I have not heard back.

And when I tried to access my files on my hard drive when I booted up this morning – WHICH IS WHERE I WANT THEM! – they were all gone!

So please actually fix the problem!

I lost everything on my desktop. This is not how a backup is supposed to work. It is supposed to copy your data to a backup not move your data to the cloud. Of course it is moving it there as part of Microsoft's plan to have everyone pay a cloud subscription, it's why our PC's have been hassling us to 'backup'.

I normally don't fall for it but somehow one of my office apps forced me down this route. This is very obviously a Microsoft policy.

I'm lucky in that all my real data is on my NAS drives out of Microsoft's reach. Once I do my last PowerPoint presentation next week, I will be cancelling all subscriptions and moving to Linux.

I refuse to be forced into using Microsoft's cloud and continue to store my data on an unsafe filing system. Microsoft right now is the pinnacle of engineering mediocrity.

On the plus side, at some point, the bigger players are going to lose data (guaranteed) and that Microsoft will be sued to hell and back. (Even, my w11 folders can't even report their correct sizes - this is FUNDAMENTAL OS functionality people - yet Microsoft pursue such things as recall (which also doesn't work) instead of actually addressing the OS fundamentals). RIP what was once a great engineering company. Satya might be enjoying his short term 'shareholder' returns but he has destroyed the company in the process. Microsoft is another Boeing and Intel - plenty of bean counters but no engineers worthy of the name.

agreed it's the absolute worst. It makes me want to never touch another windows product. Ive lost vacation photos, old photos of dead family, things I'll never get back. I hate it so much and randomly I'll turn it on to try to find old photos again just for it to strike again and lose more things from my computer.

literally **** you microsoft and your absolutely **** one drive ****.