Is it possible to reset pc and NOT have Win11Pro set up Explorer with the docs folder as a subfolder of OneDrive?

OneDrive prevents me from setting up my Documents library on an external hard drive and while tech support changed setting so that documents would automatically be downloaded to the external drive, (Windows just created a folder with the same name it gave the User folder on the C/drive). I have programs which automatically download data to the Documents folder but this data is not going to the the external drive but the imprisoned Documents library in the OneDrive folder (that could not be relocated). I did sign up for OneDrive years ago but did not use it and after reading that deleting folders in OneDrive would make it go away in Explorer, I gave that a try. It did not work. I deleted it from my computer. The file still exists still prevents relocating the Documents library. The problem is that with Win11, there is no way, that I can see, anyway, to install it without signing in to my Microsoft account, or creating a new account. I fear that I could go through all this and still end up with OneDrive automatically set up by Win11 during installation, whether I use it or not. Am I right?

RDG said:

OneDrive prevents me from setting up my Documents library on an external hard drive and while tech support changed setting so that documents would automatically be downloaded to the external drive, (Windows just created a folder with the same name it gave the User folder on the C/drive). I have programs which automatically download data to the Documents folder but this data is not going to the the external drive but the imprisoned Documents library in the OneDrive folder (that could not be relocated). I did sign up for OneDrive years ago but did not use it and after reading that deleting folders in OneDrive would make it go away in Explorer, I gave that a try. It did not work. I deleted it from my computer. The file still exists still prevents relocating the Documents library.

Click to expand...

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

You need to turn off syncing to OneDrive before you can change the location of your Documents folder. See this tutorial.

RDG said:

The problem is that with Win11, there is no way, that I can see, anyway, to install it without signing in to my Microsoft account, or creating a new account. I fear that I could go through all this and still end up with OneDrive automatically set up by Win11 during installation, whether I use it or not. Am I right?

Click to expand...

You could always create a new local account after setting up with your Microsoft account, but there is a way to avoid having to use a Microsoft account and set up with a local account instead. For this you need to be disconnected from the internet and be able to skip the step asking you to connect. You need to open a command prompt during the setup and type the command OOBE\BYPASSNRO which will restart the PC, this time adding the 'I don't have internet' option to the setup. Click this and you can set up with a local account. See Step 16 in this tutorial for more details.

Bree said:

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

You need to turn off syncing to OneDrive before you can change the location of your Documents folder. See this tutorial.

Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off OneDrive folder backup and sync for your Microsoft account across all your Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices you sign in with the same Microsoft account. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you...

www.elevenforum.com

You could always create a new local account after setting up with your Microsoft account, but there is a way to avoid having to use a Microsoft account and set up with a local account instead. For this you need to be disconnected from the internet and be able to skip the step asking you to connect. You need to open a command prompt during the setup and type the command OOBE\BYPASSNRO which will restart the PC, this time adding the 'I don't have internet' option to the setup. Click this and you can set up with a local account. See Step 16 in this tutorial for more details.

Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

Thank you, thank you, thank you! On my old computer I had turned it off long ago and when checking out the folders online OneDrive online, there was one folder with two images. I selected all the folders and deleted them. I think the only way I can escape OneDrive and having it installed by Win11 is to use the clean install method. I'm so relieved (not that I'm thrilled to have to set up my computer, yet again) that there is at least a way around this unfortunate limitation caused by OneDrive.

Bree said:

Welcome to Eleven Forum.

You need to turn off syncing to OneDrive before you can change the location of your Documents folder. See this tutorial.

Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off OneDrive folder backup and sync for your Microsoft account across all your Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices you sign in with the same Microsoft account. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you...

www.elevenforum.com

You could always create a new local account after setting up with your Microsoft account, but there is a way to avoid having to use a Microsoft account and set up with a local account instead. For this you need to be disconnected from the internet and be able to skip the step asking you to connect. You need to open a command prompt during the setup and type the command OOBE\BYPASSNRO which will restart the PC, this time adding the 'I don't have internet' option to the setup. Click this and you can set up with a local account. See Step 16 in this tutorial for more details.

Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

I don't have Win11 on discs; it was preloaded. Do I need to download some drivers? I'll be using the Reset PC option.

RDG said:

I'm so relieved (not that I'm thrilled to have to set up my computer, yet again) that there is at least a way around this unfortunate limitation caused by OneDrive.

Click to expand...

I do find OneDrive useful, but I don't let it sync any of my user folders. I like those to stay firmly on my PC where they belong!

RDG said:

I don't have Win11 on discs; it was preloaded. Do I need to download some drivers? I'll be using the Reset PC option.

Click to expand...

If you use the Reset PC option you won't need to download anything. All the files it needs to reinstall windows are held in the WinSxS component store. As this was a pre-installed OEM Windows the reset should also reinstall any OEM utilities and drivers.

Windows is freely downloadable from Microsoft. If you want to do a clean install you can create a bootable install USB using the Media Creation Tool. You may need to install any OEM drivers after a clean install, these should be available from the OEM's support site.


If you want to make a bootable install USB that will include all the OEM utilities and drivers, effectively a factory reset USB specifically for your make and model of PC, then create a Recovery Drive that includes system files.

Bree said:

I do find OneDrive useful, but I don't let it sync any of my user folders. I like those to stay firmly on my PC where they belong!


If you use the Reset PC option you won't need to download anything. All the files it needs to reinstall windows are held in the WinSxS component store. As this was a pre-installed OEM Windows the reset should also reinstall any OEM utilities and drivers.

Windows is freely downloadable from Microsoft. If you want to do a clean install you can create a bootable install USB using the Media Creation Tool. You may need to install any OEM drivers after a clean install, these should be available from the OEM's support site.

Create Windows 11 Bootable USB Installation Media Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to create a bootable USB flash drive used to install Windows 11 with UEFI support. You can use a Windows 11 installation USB flash drive to clean install, upgrade, reset, or repair Windows 11. The installation USB can also be used as a recovery drive to boot to...

www.elevenforum.com

If you want to make a bootable install USB that will include all the OEM utilities and drivers, effectively a factory reset USB specifically for your make and model of PC, then create a Recovery Drive that includes system files.

Create Recovery Drive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to create a bootable USB recovery drive that boots to advanced startup (WinRE) to troubleshoot, restore, or recover Windows 11. If your PC won’t start, you can use a recovery drive to restore from a system restore point or recover your PC. It's a good idea to...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

I’m having difficulty. I’ve tried typing in the bypass code using zeros. It says the system cannot find the path specified using capital O I get a message that that texturing is not recognized as an internal or external command program or batch file.

Bree said:

I do find OneDrive useful, but I don't let it sync any of my user folders. I like those to stay firmly on my PC where they belong!

I
If you use the Reset PC option you won't need to download anything. All the files it needs to reinstall windows are held in the WinSxS component store. As this was a pre-installed OEM Windows the reset should also reinstall any OEM utilities and drivers.

Windows is freely downloadable from Microsoft. If you want to do a clean install you can create a bootable install USB using the Media Creation Tool. You may need to install any OEM drivers after a clean install, these should be available from the OEM's support site.

Create Windows 11 Bootable USB Installation Media Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to create a bootable USB flash drive used to install Windows 11 with UEFI support. You can use a Windows 11 installation USB flash drive to clean install, upgrade, reset, or repair Windows 11. The installation USB can also be used as a recovery drive to boot to...

www.elevenforum.com

If you want to make a bootable install USB that will include all the OEM utilities and drivers, effectively a factory reset USB specifically for your make and model of PC, then create a Recovery Drive that includes system files.

Create Recovery Drive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to create a bootable USB recovery drive that boots to advanced startup (WinRE) to troubleshoot, restore, or recover Windows 11. If your PC won’t start, you can use a recovery drive to restore from a system restore point or recover your PC. It's a good idea to...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

It did not ask about not having internet and setting up a local account so I think I will have to connect to the internet afterall.

RDG said:

I’m having difficulty. I’ve tried typing in the bypass code using zeros. It says the system cannot find the path specified using capital O I get a message that that texturing is not recognized as an internal or external command program or batch file.

Click to expand...

The command is OOBE\BYPASSNRO (all letters, no zeros). It actually runs a script called bypassnro.cmd held in the C:\Windows\system32\oobe folder.

RDG said:

It did not ask about not having internet and setting up a local account so I think I will have to connect to the internet afterall.

Click to expand...

If you use an ethernet connection, then temporarily unplug the ethernet cable while setting up.

As long as you “unlink” the folders and disable OneDrive, you can move the location of the user folders.
it would save you having to reset. Windows wont allow you to move folders from the OneDrive location unless they are unlinked.

Option Two in the link @Bree posted. But turn off not on.



Then…



It’s basically the same process for all folders

• Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Downloads Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Music Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of OneDrive Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Saved Games Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Searches Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11

@Bree & @antspants, I believe I had done all the steps mentioned to unlink, and disable OneDrive mentioned.

After disconnecting the Ethernet cable, I followed the steps for a clean install but setup did not give me an option to say that I did not have an internet connection and entering the code did not work. My only option was to continue.

What I did differently from this point, however, had the same result! When asked to sign in or create a Microsoft account, I clicked below for other options and this time selected that the computer was for work or school. After entering my username (wish I could change that!), when prompted for a password I left it empty and pressed enter. And that was all there was to it!

I have the end result of just a basic Explorer structure that I'm able to work with easily, without OneDrive's interference. And while I had not mentioned the other issue that was driving me crazy, the Microsoft sign in page with latest news, stocks, etc and necessity to sign in, has been eliminated, too! I'm thrilled.

Not signing in/creating a Microsoft account, choosing work/school use, and not entering a password is the simple solution.

I wish I had known that was all that from the beginning! Given the frequency with which people post requests for help getting rid of the signin page and also being unable to relocate the documents folder, much frustration and unhappiness with Win10&11 could be eliminated if people knew this when setting up a new computer.

Thanks for being there for users like me. I'm so grateful