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

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-05-30T13:25:44+00:00

    changing the name does not help... save as a new new name still gets screwed up you have to do a copy then save the new name...

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-05-30T13:39:35+00:00

    Hi Richard,

    I was proposing "saving as" a new file, with a new name. Not changing the name of the existing file.

    That should work, no?

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-06-04T19:27:15+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.

    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.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-04T19:39:30+00:00

    not sure what you mean - I don't have an On / Off switch under "Files On Demand".

    these are the settings on Device A.

    On Device B, since making the post, I have selected "Free up disk space" on all files at the highest folder level, in the hope that that will fix it.

    Ultimately, I agree, it should not be based on which device has the downloaded file, but should maintain the most recent file from the Sharepoint server.

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  5. 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.

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