OneDrive replaces newer versions of files with old versions

I really appreciate that you are tring to help us, but the point really is that no one from Microsoft seems to care about this issue. Multiple people are saying the same thing: OneDrive automatically saves older versions of files by rewriting newer versions of the same file. If I have to rename each file to protect it from OneDrive doing this and causing more harm to my work, then OneDrive is BROKEN and needs to be FIXED!!! So here is the dilemma: a service that we pay for is not functioning properly, and it appears Microsoft is doing absolutely NOTHING to fix it. The system is supposed to work automatically. When I open my laptop and edit a .xls or .doc file and save the changes, then I go home and turn on my desktop and laptop to let them sync, the older version from my desktop writes over the newer version on my laptop, and all my work is lost. I have turned one drive off on my computers until this is fixed, and I am seriously thinking about using a different cloud document service that is more reliable than this. We are pleading with Microsoft to fix this, but we are not seeing any action. I hope you hear my frustration's tone loud and clear, and maybe you can get the folks at Microsoft to do something. That would really help.

That is exactly what happened to me. Opened up an old laptop and lost the changes on my new one. This sucks! Versions aren't available too. Going back to Dropbox...

I have exactly the same problem. Now I have to keep a second copy of the OneDrive, but this is almost like not having OneDrive. I cannot walk around with a usb stick either.

"I see some other people saying that this is due to booting up old laptops have haven't been used in a while, and OneDrive updating old documents as if the much older documents are new versions."

That's exactly what just happened to me. It is unbelievable. Microsoft should provide me with a financial compensation for all the work I have just lost !!!

I've just experienced the same problem. I have a file that I update almost daily, and it's just reverted back to a version from 8 months ago. Every one of the 50 or so available versions in version history takes me back to the April version leaving me with 8 months' worth of missing financial data. I'm just consolidating all my data onto One drive ready to migrate to a new Windows 11 PC as recommended, and now I'm having 2nd thoughts. Is there any way to break the links of all these version history versions that point to an old out of date version? One drive must have my version from yesterday stored somewhere. Unlinking and relinking doesn't work - just reveals a whole swag of new unsynced files. Restore can't find a restore point, nor can File History.

I too just turned on an old laptop that has been out of action for months with Bitlocker key problems and my issue has arisen since then. I wonder how many other files have been trashed.