Backup - OneDrive Issues

Winuser said:

The numbers are way higher then you think. I wouldn't be surprised to find that world wide those that do have highspeed internet and a decent data plan are the majority. Besides that I didn't say MS should cater to anyone. What I have said is that MS should make putting the User Folders on OneDrive a opt in choice.

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I just think in the modern world, to be super competitive with other operating systems like Linux, Mac OS, etc.......Microsoft is trying to
1). Make it easy for people to get to their data files from multiple devices (if they have them)
2). Provide a pretty much out of the box solution for people to have their data in 2 locations, so if their hard drive dies, or their computer quits, or their laptop is stolen....their files are already stored elesewhere....even if the end-user doesn't know about it.

In the event that the end-user saves their data to the default locations and they save an excess of 5GB of stuff, they will be faced with a choice. Either pay for more storage, or move their files elsewhere.

I don't think it's absurd to think that the average joe cannot create C:\data and then from an application, when they hit File > Save that they pick C:\data for their file versus just letting it go to the OneDrive folder.

If I'm super non-savvy, and I buy a computer and I save some work.....I'd think it would be cool if my data were automatically protected and probably be willing to part with $20.00 per year to expand my storage to 100GB and know that in the event of a computer catastrophe I would not lose my data.

These are just my opinions and thoughts and I am trying to find the positives as to why MS chose to do it this way. If I hated the product and wanted no part whatsoever with the cloud, my opinions could be 100% different. End of the day, Microsoft makes Windows 11 and we choose to use it. So, we either go with the flow or learn to work around it.

Hazel123 said:

I'm just not using it. I've been uninstalling it for years - who needs the hassle!

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I'm using it sparingly, and certainly not for keeping all my user folders in the cloud. It has its place though, and for me that place is as a convenient alternative to using DropBox.

Winuser said:

It is easy if one knows how. By using pics, your post is going to be very helpful for those that are looking for a solution and find Eleven Forums. Sadly most novice computer users won't be as lucky.

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But when the Backup folders option was not in existence and OneDrive worked in it's native form.....you could just right click on the Library folder (Documents/Pictures/Music), go to properties and change it's location. Easy...done. That's what I called Trivially easy earlier in this thread.

They have made that more difficult.....but i don't think it needed to be.

When you buy a new computer and you log on for the very first time with your account, you aren't going to already have stuff in C:\users\username\Documents. So, there is nothing that would need to migrate from that location to C:\users\username\OneDrive\Documents.
Thus, if they just setup OneDrive and put Documents/Pictures/Music into that OneDrive location and just called it a day...people would still be using OneDrive, Microsoft could still make money by selling more storage, and those who are going to want to change it to store elsewhere could just modify the location easily and be done with it.


I've just never relied on the defaults. I use a local account still, I tie in my Microsoft account for OneDrive, and I elect to save some things to OneDrive and other stuff locally so it's where I want it. OneDrive works for me exactly as I think it should and it provides me an easy second copy and allows me to access my data from any location I want and I'm happy with that.

Hazel123 said:

I'm just not using it. I've been uninstalling it for years -

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Cool. That's fine. If that works for you, great.

Hazel123 said:

who needs the hassle!

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Needs for me isn't the right word, wants is the right word. And i wouldn't call it a hassle, I think it's pretty darn simple.

I want to have "some" of my data in a location that I can easily access from

• My home desktop
• My personal macbook pro
• My personal Mac Mini
• My work laptop
• My cell phone
• A variety of virtual machines
• A web browser if I am anywhere else in the world.

I want to have "some" of my data magically stored in 2 locations at one time. Now, I don't have a need to backup my data as often as I used to before. And now I don't have to ensure that I keep a backup copy of that data in an offsite location. (my sisters house burned down...so I've seen the source and the backups all disappear at the same time...it's not good).

For these reasons, cloud storage in particular works well for me. And OneDrive is the solution I use because I buy Office 365. (For me personally, that's a no-brainer. For others, might make 0 sense at all).

pparks1 said:

I don't think it's absurd to think that the average joe cannot create C:\data and then from an application, when they hit File > Save that they pick C:\data for their file versus just letting it go to the OneDrive folder.

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IMHO, your reply is assuming that every computer user understand computers. Not

pparks1 said:

I just think in the modern world, to be super competitive with other operating systems like Linux, Mac OS, etc.......Microsoft is trying to
1). Make it easy for people to get to their data files from multiple devices (if they have them)
2). Provide a pretty much out of the box solution for people to have their data in 2 locations, so if their hard drive dies, or their computer quits, or their laptop is stolen....their files are already stored elesewhere....even if the end-user doesn't know about it.

Click to expand...

I don't think you understand where I'm coming from. I'm not against OneDrive or any of the Online storage services. What I'm against is MS not asking users where they want their data stored when setting up a new system. IMHO, they way they are doing it is a money grab and it's wrong.

Owning a computer is an active endeavor, not a passive one. Why own something you refuse to learn about, and then complain things are too complicated. It's only complicated it you choose a passive role.

pparks1 said:

But when the Backup folders option was not in existence and OneDrive worked in it's native form.....you could just right click on the Library folder (Documents/Pictures/Music), go to properties and change it's location. Easy...done. That's what I called Trivially easy earlier in this thread.

They have made that more difficult.....but i don't think it needed to be.

When you buy a new computer and you log on for the very first time with your account, you aren't going to already have stuff in C:\users\username\Documents. So, there is nothing that would need to migrate from that location to C:\users\username\OneDrive\Documents.
Thus, if they just setup OneDrive and put Documents/Pictures/Music into that OneDrive location and just called it a day...people would still be using OneDrive, Microsoft could still make money by selling more storage, and those who are going to want to change it to store elsewhere could just modify the location easily and be done with it.


I've just never relied on the defaults. I use a local account still, I tie in my Microsoft account for OneDrive, and I elect to save some things to OneDrive and other stuff locally so it's where I want it. OneDrive works for me exactly as I think it should and it provides me an easy second copy and allows me to access my data from any location I want and I'm happy with that.

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Both of my desktops are signed into my MS Account. I also had my wife's laptop signed in until I found files I had deleted from OneDrive in her Recycle Bin. Now she is signed into a local account so I hope it doesn't happen again. On my main desktop I have the Pictures and Documents defaulted to OneDrive. Downloads, Music and Videos go to my D: drive. I left the Desktop on drive C: . On my second desktop all my User folders except the Desktop go to drive D: . Even my mobile phone is linked to OneDrive. I think it's great that everytime I take a picture it gets saved to OneDrive. Saves me from having to copy and paste. I do like and use OneDrive. It's the way that MS has taken it on themselves that everybody wants it.

Dru2 said:

Owning a computer is an active endeavor, not a passive one. Why own something you refuse to learn about, and then complain things are too complicated. It's only complicated it you choose a passive role.

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I have to disagree. Many users are happy with their computers doing what they need done. Be it for emails, accessing the web or what ever their needs. They don't have to know everything about computers. They just need to know how to do what they bought the computer for.

Dru2 said:

Owning a computer is an active endeavor, not a passive one. Why own something you refuse to learn about, and then complain things are too complicated. It's only complicated it you choose a passive role.

Click to expand...

Winuser said:

I have to disagree. Many users are happy with their computers doing what they need done. Be it for emails, accessing the web or what ever their needs. They don't have to know everything about computers. They just need to know how to do what they bought the computer for.

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I think cars is a great example of this. I don't expect average users to know how to do all of their own mechanic work, or know how an engine works, but I do expect them to know it needs gas, oil changes and when, how to give information when there is a problem (error messages and the like), that they need car insurance etc.

Same with windows. Being in IT, I expect them to know the basics of files and folders, how to use most standard applications such as a browser and the like, and how to change some easy windows settings.

I dont expect them to understand this whole onedrive stuff or anything slightly more advanced because it takes a willingness to learn and understand which many dont have time or want to do. But they bought a computer for a certain reason and they do need to know how to do the basics. Just like they should with their phones. A lot of people refuse to learn anything about technology sadly and thats just the way it goes. I find it frustrating and do think people should at least know the basics given how tech is everywhere just like cars and other very modern things that have existed for a long time.
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@kodakjack
Getting back to OP though, who I feel has been long gone, but in case not, @kodakjack

Please try logging into onedrive website and look there to see if your files are there if any are missing.

As for removing the onedrive folder association with the files, as the leo video suggested from youtube that someone posted, exit onedrive down by the clock (system tray) and then move the documents out of the onedrive documents folder and move them back to c\users\yourusername\documents. Also for example, with your pictures : C:\Users\John\OneDrive\Pictures\Ethan10 move these files to C:\Users\John\Pictures\

This will then remove the onedrive association with the files.

andrew129260 said:

I think cars is a great example of this.

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Reminds me of my parents trying to use the TV and Cable remotes. I don't know how many times my parents couldn't watch TV because the wrong button got pushed by mistake. They would have to wait for me to fix it. Because the remotes were confusion to them I guess they should have given up watching TV.

Winuser said:

IMHO, your reply is assuming that every computer user understand computers. Not

I don't think you understand where I'm coming from. I'm not against OneDrive or any of the Online storage services. What I'm against is MS not asking users where they want their data stored when setting up a new system. IMHO, they way they are doing it is a money grab and it's wrong.

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You are viewing this as a negative and feel it's a money grab and wrong.

I'm viewing it as a positive and they are helping people who have no idea what they are doing, automatically backup their files to an offsite location in real time so in the event that they have a catastrophic computer crash all of their files are still safe and sound. They buy a new computer, log on and viola.....all of their stuff is back .

Which would you rather have as a non-technical user?

• An OS that stores all of your files just locally and leaves you to figuring out how and when to backup all of your files, having an external or secondary drive to store them on, and potentially keeping them offsite in the event your house burns down
• An OS that just saves your data without you even knowing about it.

Is it not in Microsofts best interest to have the more robust auto saving OS for the vast majority and let enthusiasts figure out how to do their own thing?

pparks1 said:

Which would you rather have as a non-technical user?

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An OS that explains the pros and cons of having the Users Folders stored on OneDrive as compared to being stored locally when setting up the computer. Then let the user decide what is best for them.

Winuser said:

An OS that explains the pros and cons of having the Users Folders stored on OneDrive as compared to being stored locally when setting up the computer. Then let the user decide what is best for them.

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Well, to be fair, you suggested that people weren't capable of creating their own data folder and doing a file/save as to a location of their choosing. Seems unreasonable with that assumption that people could effectively weight the pros and cons and make a solid choice. Most would just click their way through and accept the defaults. What should the default option be? To use OneDrive, or not? We aren't going to agree.

End of the day, MS did what MS did. Some of us see it is a con, others see it as a pro. Technical and non-technical alike can Google and find their way around the issue.

pparks1 said:

Well, to be fair, you suggested that people weren't capable of creating their own data folder and doing a file/save as to a location of their choosing. Seems unreasonable with that assumption that people could effectively weight the pros and cons and make a solid choice. Most would just click their way through and accept the defaults. What should the default option be? To use OneDrive, or not? We aren't going to agree.

End of the day, MS did what MS did. Some of us see it is a con, others see it as a pro. Technical and non-technical alike can Google and find their way around the issue.

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I see that you really do feel that way. With your logic there should be a warning on the box stating that you must know everything about using a computer before purchasing.

I was just hoping someone would've tried the Backup thing then turn it off, then say:
'Holy sh*t, Edwin was right, it sends all your native files down the flush-ola!!!'

pparks1 said:

Technical and non-technical alike can Google and find their way around the issue.

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This ^^^^

And the reason I consistently say owning a PC is an active endeavor. Passive is not trying and blaming Microsoft for your lack of initiative.

Again, if you don't like the app, that's fine. I don't like everything Windows has, but I'm not screaming it sucks and blaming Microsoft.

Winuser said:

I have to disagree. Many users are happy with their computers doing what they need done. Be it for emails, accessing the web or what ever their needs. They don't have to know everything about computers. They just need to know how to do what they bought the computer for.

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"I" don't "know everything about computers" myself. But I do take the initiative to learn what I'm complaining about.

Honestly, the biggest hang up (fear) many have about OneDrive is "the cloud". Yet many religiously embrace Google and Facebook

Edwin said:

I was just hoping someone would've tried the Backup thing then turn it off, then say:
'Holy sh*t, Edwin was right, it sends all your native files down the flush-ola!!!'

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If you are talking about what you posted in #78, I did respond with that test and verified this behavior in post #79.

Winuser said:

I see that you really do feel that way. With your logic there should be a warning on the box stating that you must know everything about using a computer before purchasing.

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Well I don't know enough about what you are trying to say because I fail to see the point you were attempting to make.

I've not made the point that people have to be knowledgeable at all about what's happening on their computer with onedrive. In fact, I think I argued 100% the opposite. With onedrive, its' there, it's the default, and it works without them doing anything. It may someday save their bacon. And if they get concerned about the cloud, or don't want to spend money on additional storage, they will have to then read up a bit and try to determine a course of action. The same holds true with anything in life.

Dru2 said:

Honestly, the biggest hang up (fear) many have about OneDrive is "the cloud". Yet many religiously embrace Google and Facebook

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^ This, 100% the absolute truth.

I can hear the snickering, 'huh, huh....what's the cloud? It's just somebody else's computer, hardy, har, har, har".


oh well, just beating a dead horse. Some like it, some don't. There are alternative OS's out there, and if you don't like something enough, just try something else.

BTW: Did y'all realize this forum is in "the cloud"?

If anyone is interested, I messaged Brink for a once and for all clarification of the CORRECT ORDER of things to do if a user does not want Onedrive. The following is my message to him and his answer. This is not misinformation.This is not my opinion on the Pros and Cons of using Onedrive. This is relating to a specific answer to a poster's question on the proper way to do it.
We've beaten this subject to death. Why can't we all agree to disagree on whether onedrive is the best thing since sliced bread or the spawn of satan, refrain from singing it's praises or damning it to hell, and just answer a poster's questions the best we can when we are asked. We're not helping with this constant back and forth. All it does is add more confusion to an already confused poster.

glasskuter's question to brink
Brink, Every time the onedrive elephant is in the room, I give the same advice (as I understand it) to people who use a MS account but want no part of Onedrive. Each time, other members call me out on it.
Tell me point blank, in that scenario, is the following advice correct? If it's not, where am I wrong? Thanks, Linda

Step 1- You first have to turn off backup folder syncing. This tutorial tells you how and also how to get your files onto your local drive.
Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

NOTE: ONLY IF FOLDERS DO NOT MOVE TO DEFAULT LOCATION IN THE ABOVE STEP DO THIS
If this happens, then you could try option three below to restore the default folder location and move your files manually from Onedrive into the folders..

• Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial
• Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11

Step 2 Unlink account & PC from onedrive.
Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial
Once you do this the files you have in onedrive will remain there until you login to Onedrive on the Web and delete them.
Sign in - Microsoft OneDrive

Step 3 You can then either uninstall Onedrive or disable it.
Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

I prefer to disable it. Open Task Manager>Startup Apps
Find Onedrive in the list and, right click on it, select disable. This prevents Onedrive from auto-starting.

Brink's answer to glasskuter
Hello Linda,

Those would be the preferred steps to avoid a OneDrive lock on the folder.

Most people don't realize that "now" when you set up Windows with a Microsoft account, OneDrive will automatically backup and sync those folders by moving their content into the OneDrive folder location.