New Surface. All my Onedrive files/folders show up in Documents. Arrrgh!


CalypsoArt

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I recently got a Surface Pro 8. When I clicked on the Documents folder, all my Onedrive files/folders show up. I keep specific documents and other files in my documents folder folder, not cloud stuff. How do I prevent onedrive content from showing up there?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5600X
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    ROG STRIX B550-I
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    16GB 3200
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    Samsung EVO m.2 500GB x2
Are you syncing your personal folders with onedrive? Click on onedrive icon in system tray-gear icon-settings-backup tab. Click manage backup. Uncheck any folder you don't want to backup to onedrive. Also on the backup tab, uncheck photos, videos, and screenshots if you do not want them to automatically go to onedrive.

Verify the location of each of your personal folders. In file explorer, right click on each folder and select properties, location tab. The location SHOULD show C:\Users\yourusername\foldername. (As an example, your documents location should be C:\Users\yourusername\Documents)
If it proves that your personal folders show a location of onedrive, report back here.

As you do, I keep only certain things in onedrive and others on my PC. I always name my folder in onedrive something different than my personal folder, such as instead of 'documents' I name it 'My Documents' or 'Docs'
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
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    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
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    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
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    Logitech wired
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    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
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    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
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    Firefox
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    Defender+MWB Premium
Great Tip Glasskuter,

Never thought of doing that. It might be a hack to solve my Onedrive default backup problem(s).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    OriginPC
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG STRIX B550-I Gaming
    Memory
    Corsair
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro
    Seagate Iron Wolf Pro
    PSU
    700w
    Case
    Custom
    Keyboard
    USB
I find it keeps things in perspective. My Docs folder in onedrive are files that are in onedrive and no place else. The Documents folder in onedrive is synced to the Documents folder in my user account. Then on my PC on my secondary drive, I have another folder called Archived Documents that are old files I saved in case I ever need them again....and my recipes.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
My Docs folder in onedrive are files that are in onedrive and no place else. The Documents folder in onedrive is synced to the Documents folder in my user account. Then on my PC on my secondary drive, I have another folder called Archived Documents that are old files I saved.

Since SkyDrive and small C:\ boot drives I have re-located my system folders, Documents, etc., to a bigger second HDD and left OneDrive on C:\Users\OneDrive. I have a 115GB OneDrive cloud account storing 81GB. Microsoft warns me I'm running out of space. Naturally it wants to sell me more space. 115GB is fine for my needs.

As Windows and my computers progress I blindly follow this practice on all computers. On some computers I have a 6TB 2nd HDD that stores TB's of pictures, videos, documents and data files. My computers also serve as local backup for each other. The newer auto backup default messes this up. It also, makes my cloud provider's backup/restore easier when moving to a newer machine. I use the same Microsoft user account on all my computers since I'm the only user on each. Yes, I keep the older ones way too long.

Maybe it's time to re-think my use of default system folders and my 2nd drive files. Open for Discussion. Perhaps I should start another post for this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    OriginPC
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG STRIX B550-I Gaming
    Memory
    Corsair
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG TV
    Screen Resolution
    4K
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro
    Seagate Iron Wolf Pro
    PSU
    700w
    Case
    Custom
    Keyboard
    USB
Also on the backup tab, uncheck photos, videos, and screenshots if you do not want them to automatically go to onedrive.

I still don't understand the distinction, if any, between adding folders in the default Windows Documents folder to OneDrive to sync them and enabling the OneDrive backup feature for Documents. Is there any difference in the way these two (OneDrive sync v. OneDrive
backup) work for folders in the Windows default Documents folder?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Is there any difference
Best I can tell the settings under the backup tab set up what syncs so they're one and the same. The setting under account-choose folders are the files you want be available on demand and will show up in your onedrive folder on your PC (and will also be on C drive). IMO that would be kind of redundant for files that are on your C: drive in the first place so the only time I could see that being of benefit is if one has files in onedrive that are not on the PC in one of the synced folders in the first place.

I've always thought that Onedrive is much more convaluted than Google Drive and GD is much more efficient at handling files than onedrive in that I can sync folders from anywhere on my PC, no matter where they are located. As an example, I have certain folders on my storage drive that I sync to Google Drive because I can't to onedrive. I wouldn't use Onedrive at all except I have a lot more free space there than I do in Google Drive.

The photos,videos, and screenshots come into play if for example you hook a camera to the computer. If that setting is set, photos and videos would go to onedrive bypassing your personal folder. Screenshots would automatically go to onedrive as soon as you make them.

I know this explanation is as clear as mud...but then so is onedrive.
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Perhaps I should start another post for this
Feel free to ask questions here if you wish since this thread is about onedrive storage and local folders.

Each person's storage requirements are different. IMO the key is efficiently managing the storage you already have. Rather than buying more cloud storage you might look into using a NAS drive, either attaching an external drive to your router if it has a usb port or turning one of your computers into a home server. I plan on attaching an external drive which stores all the movies I've saved over the years to the new router I purchased recently so I can access them with my Amazon Firesticks. I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. With a NAS drive, the same principal would apply as all files on the NAS would be readily available between computers on your network.

The advantage of having a NAS drive from your router rather than using a computer as a server is you don't have to have the computer on all the time to be able to access the files.

I've never purchased any external drives in my life. I had all these old hard drives lying around so I bought cheap hard drive enclosures and made my own. I'll bet you have some lying around, too. They mainly serve as backup drives for my computers' C: drive.

There are all kinds of ways to manage storage without having a lot of redundancy.
Yes, I keep the older ones way too long.
Cleaning out stuff you no longer need helps too.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I'm a longtime OneDrive user. I find OneDrive simple and straightforward to use.

I subscribe to Microsoft 365. For $69/year I get all of Microsoft Office and 1 Terabyte of OneDrive cloud storage. I find this to be an incredible value.

The size of my local drive is 1 Terabyte. I keep all my data and all my photos in my local OneDrive folder. I do not use OneDrive's option of "Files On Demand". Not using "Files On Demand" results in a real-time mirror backup of all my data in my 1 Terabyte of cloud OneDrive. It's simple and there's nothing more to do. OneDrive is built into the operating system and just works reliably.

Of course, OneDrive isn't my only backup. I keep several local backups.

I love it when I get a new computer and all I have to do is log in to Windows and all my data and photos are instantly there!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 15 9510 OLED
    CPU
    11th Gen i9 -11900H
    Memory
    32 GB 3200 MHz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3050Ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" OLED Infinity Edge Touch
    Screen Resolution
    16:10 Aspect Ratio (3456 x 2160)
    Hard Drives
    1 Terabyte M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
    2 Thunderbolt™ 4 (USB Type-C™)
    1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB Type-C™)
    SD Card Reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC)
    Internet Speed
    900 Mbps Netgear Orbi + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium) + Bing
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Outlook
    Microsoft OneNote
    Microsoft PowerToys
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Macrium Reflect
    Dell Support Assist
    Dell Command | Update
    LastPass Password Manager
    Amazon Kindle
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    8 GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    900 Mbps Netgear Orbi + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium) + Bing
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription (Office)
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Outlook
    Microsoft OneNote
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Amazon Kindle
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription

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