OneDrive replaces newer versions of files with old versions

Anonymous
2024-04-12T15:53:38+00:00

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.

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

69 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  2. Anonymous
    2025-06-05T20:28:44+00:00

    I don't have the Files On-Demand ON/OFF switch either. I don't believe your OneDrive is the latest version.

    I think freeing up space on all but one device is a good approach. Even better is to have files freed up everywhere, then you will only have one version.

    An outdated file sitting in OneDrive waiting to sync serves no purpose. To work on the file, updates must be downloaded from the cloud, so the entire file might as well be an On-Demand cloud file. Backup files are labeled as such and are in a different folder to avoid sync conflicts.

    You appear to be putting forward a workaround which involves downloading the file every time from the cloud IF it's available.

    However, the syncing process is not always working correctly as has been repeatedly pointed out in this thread. It should not be replacing new versions of files with old versions and restoring deleted files when a device that has not been used for a while is booted up with cloud access.

    Please look at the screenshots shown above of the Files On Demand dialog box which seems to cause these problems when it does not have the same setting across all devices.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Craig Long 18,630 Reputation points
    2025-06-05T03:06:26+00:00

    I don't have the Files On-Demand ON/OFF switch either. I don't believe your OneDrive is the latest version.

    I think freeing up space on all but one device is a good approach. Even better is to have files freed up everywhere, then you will only have one version.

    An outdated file sitting in OneDrive waiting to sync serves no purpose. To work on the file, updates must be downloaded from the cloud, so the entire file might as well be an On-Demand cloud file. Backup files are labeled as such and are in a different folder to avoid sync conflicts.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-04T20:01:46+00:00

    When Files On Demand is switched On I think the settings dialog then changes to the ones shown in your screenshot.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2025-05-30T12:05:58+00:00

    I have experienced this exact same issue.

    I was working last night on a file on Computer A - and connected to the internet / OneDrive. The latest version of the file should have been from Computer A.

    I started working on Computer B this morning. The file from Computer A was replaced by the pre-existing and older file on Computer B.

    It was only because this file was very recent, that I immediately saw the problem. Going into version history, I was able to see the file from Computer A, and save it under a new file name. This has happened before, and I did not notice.

    This bug completely defeats the purpose of OneDrive versioning and is incredibly frustrating. I will go back to my practice over the past 30 years of saving under new file names regularly.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments