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 No comments

69 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2025-02-03T14:47:41+00:00

    Oh my goodness, I cannot thank you enough. I found my newer version in the OneDrive recycling bin! They renamed it as a "copy". I thought I was screwed since the version history didn't show anything except the August one. I think my freaking out caused me to overlook this detail. THANK YOU BOTH for your replies!!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-03T14:43:34+00:00

    This is what happened to me. There were previous versions but the newest showing also happened to be from last August and well out of date. Nothing in online recycling bin either.

    I was lucky as I have three laptops that I work on, so fired one up without allowing it to connect to internet and managed to recover an almost up to date version. Had I not discovered the problem prior to booting the third machine I would have lost a lot of work.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-02-03T13:48:05+00:00

    The problem is, there are no previous versions. Only this random version from August. That is months and months of lost work. Thanks though :(

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-16T21:09:32+00:00

    Same problem for me.

    Booted a laptop which has not been used for a while, and thousands of file were uploaded and replaced with old versions!

    Not sure why Microsoft is not addressing this issue that makes one drive unusable and people may be losing precious information.

    I was able to go one by one and restore the old version from cloud, but it took several hours of manual work!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2025-01-02T21:08:26+00:00

    ALL old versions even ones that I changed the name all have been updated to old data... ****. It should be called downdated. ... opening any newer version all has the same data...

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments