OneDrive replaces newer versions of files with old versions

I often do work on files (Word and Excel) while not connected for the internet, sometimes for a couple weeks while traveling. Then when I do have internet, OneDrive keeps replacing the updated files with older versions it has stored. I lose weeks worth of work. It is so frustrating. How do I recover the lost work? Why does OneDrive replace newer, updated versions with the old ones?

Second, when I disconnect OneDrive, although I have it set to keep all files on my laptop, I no longer have the folders or files on the laptop. I go to Windows Explorer and Documents and Pictures folders are gone. Also, I go to This PC>Window>Users and there are no folders, no files.

Check OneDrive -> Settings -> Sync and backup -> Advanced Settings -> Files On Demand.

It seems that if this setting is Off for Device A but On for Device B it will assume that Device A must automatically have the latest versions and no further checking of dates and versions is carried out. If that is actually what happens then there is a simple but potentially devastating logic error in the OneDrive code which should be fixed urgently.

Hi,

Last year, I ran into a similar issue after booting up a computer that hadn't been used for six months—I ended up losing six months of work. I was devastated. The old versions were incorrectly timestamped as if they were from the day before, and the content from the long-unused hard drive ended up being treated as the current version, while everything else was wiped out—or so I thought. Later, I discovered that OneDrive's online recycle bin contained many deleted files that I could recover, but I still lost a significant amount of work.

Good luck with finding something in the recycle bin!

Same problem here - I cannot believe Microsoft seem to be doing nothing?

I have recently "revived" two old laptops, both using OneDrive to Sync my most valuable files.

After the first laptop I noticed that 5 files I use quite often had lost data. I went through manually and restored previous versions which had the missing data. At the time I did not realise how the data had been lost and assumed I had done something stupid.

Today I revived an old laptop that I had not used since 2022 and HUNDREDS of files were UPLOADED to OneDrive. At first I thought it was just me missunderstanding the term upload and that OneDrive had just DOWLOADED the new files to the laptop.

BUT NO - just look at the dates Date Modified Date Created

I have no record of what files this stupid OneDrive has uploaded and no means (or the time) to go through the thousands of files in my OneDrive and restore a previous version. Even if I could I cannot imaginge I could spot all the wrongly updated files.

I just cannot believe Microsft could make such a cockup in a simple time / date SYNC process?

Luckily I have a backup of my OneDrive from last month but this is just ridiculous and could result in many users loosing their valuable data without realising. PLEASE FIX THIS URGENTLY MICROSOFT.

I mean, do not keep any local versions on your hard drive. After you work on files, use "Free up space" to turn them back into cloud files, which you know are the latest versions because they were uploaded, and only one version exists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzIA9uykIhE

This is indicative of MS losing control of quality and seeking sales. This is an inexcusable practice, however you can hear the crickets in the responses! They are not interested anymore in delivering quality customer service, just sales. They have grown too big to fail. Now the onus is on us to do what we need to do to find a company that can provide RELIABLE cloud storage solutions and leave MS to their demise. I’m out.