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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.
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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...
This morning I had just updated the file. and usually update it daily . suddenly in the evening. I realized that the file was replaced with a older version file from 3veeek ago. It mean I had lose my 3 week data. very frustrated. Had check the history file . however the version are old version.
Are you saving the changes to the file. If Autosave isn't working, click "Save" before closing the file.
If Save isn't working, you can save the file by renaming it. You can use "Save As" to save the file with a different name. But be sure to make the name unique.
when you save as version 2 it renames the version 1 old file some how to new name then backs up old data from v1 to v2 2 months to 2 years of old data don't use save as I think use save a copy.... during one of the updates, my save as disappeared and it became save a copy but for some reason save as is back.
It seems that all these suggested work arounds from the volunteer moderators is more trouble than just turning off the auto-versioning feature of OneDrive and manually doing versioning when we save the file after making changes. E.g. Filename_v1.docx, Filename_v2.docx, Filename_v3.docx.
Keep track of the latest file in whatever way works for you.
Even changing The file to a new name a new name I will update the old one file with a date code to the new name. I started dating them + it changes old file 1 10 24 to new 1019 24 but then copies the old data from the January file over to the October file even though you've changed the name. they have a serious problem and there should be a huge lawsuit. I've lost years of data and hours of time. stop using OneDrive copy to the hard drive, then do a backup to another drive.
Then, try using different folders with unique names. Copy the file you want to work on into a folder named "10/21/2024" or something similar. Keep a record of the date you last worked on the file so you can find the most recent folder. Since the dates are all different, there should be no overwriting of files. Go to the OneDrive cloud icon on the taskbar and make sure the new folder with the current date has uploaded.