Onedrive has taken over my new computer!!

golfergrrl · Nov 6, 2022

I backed up my old computer's Desktop, Document and Program Files on a flash drive and in Onedrive.
For 3 days now, Onedrive has been syncing to my new computer.
I can get at things in the Desktop to make icons and stuff on the new desktop.
Thing is, I don't want everything in Onedrive. I want it all on my computer.
Every single folder is pathed to Onedrive. I can't even make a local folder.
When I try to make a folder, it paths to Onedrive.
I don't want to use Onedrive for backup. When I tried to stop backing up I lost everything that had been done.
I don't want Onedrive at all. It's using our precious bandwidth which we don't have much of.
I want to use the info on my flash drive to set up my Desktop, Documents and Program Files.
I'm thinking I have to go back to factory and start again, but would lose all the programs
which I've downloaded and have to set up everything again from the flash drive info.
Wouldn't it be easier to just copy the flash drive info to the new computer? It would physically be there?
I just want to cry. Thanks for any advice.
Linda

imanlien2020 · Nov 6, 2022

I personally cant stand onedrive.
Go here and follow instructions...
Complete removal of Onedrive

golfergrrl · Nov 6, 2022

imanlien2020 said:
I personally cant stand onedrive.
Go here and follow instructions...
Complete removal of Onedrive

Thank you for your response.
In what state would that leave my computer? Everything that's been synced and all newly loaded programs gone?
Almost like factory? Then I would move my flash drive info to the proper folders?

idgat · Nov 6, 2022

I'm sorry to hear about your predicament, but - of absolutely no consolation - you're not the only one to have bad experience(s) with OneDrive. It does what Microsoft thinks the user wants (or rather, what Microsoft thinks the user should have) with scant regard to the user's requirements and expectations.

Steps you should take
- disconnect your computer from OneDrive (see OneDrive settings)
- go in to Task Manager > Startup options > Disable OneDrive from starting when your computer does
- reboot your computer
- go into your OneDrive account manually (via the OneDrive web site) > log on > download the contents of your OneDrive account (will be downloaded as a zip file)
- use RevoUninstaller to uninstall remove OneDrive from your computer, including the option for an advanced scan to delete all leftover files/folders/registry entries

That should suffice, bearing in mind that Windows is wont to re-install OneDrive (withour asking !!!) with some major updates in the future.

Reeeploi0 · Nov 6, 2022

Log into to your computer as a local user. Not with Microsoft Account.

golfergrrl · Nov 7, 2022

CharmaineK said:
Log into to your computer as a local user. Not with Microsoft Account.

Thank you but we need access to Outlook mail and from other devices.

golfergrrl · Nov 7, 2022

@idgat: That method sounds promising. Thank you.

TraderGary · Nov 7, 2022

I could very well be the only forum member that loves OneDrive. I keep all my data and pictures in local OneDrive. My local 1TB SSD is mirrored in real-time on my 1TB of cloud OneDrive. When I got this new computer a few months ago, all I had to do was log in to Windows and BAM, all my data and pictures were instantly there and totally up to date! I love it.

golfergrrl · Nov 7, 2022

TraderGary said:
I could very well be the only forum member that loves OneDrive. I keep all my data and pictures in local OneDrive. My local 1TB SSD is mirrored in real-time on my 1TB of cloud OneDrive. When I got this new computer a few months ago, all I had to do was log in to Windows and BAM, all my data and pictures were instantly there and totally up to date! I love it.

I wish I'd known about the mirroring function. 3 days later and Onedrive is still syncing. I had to set up the desktop again.
I've never had this much frustration with a computer before.

Fabler2 · Nov 7, 2022

@golfergrrl just some info. Next time you set up a new Laptop or do a clean install keep an eye on the list of screens you get during set-up and select no for Onedrive.

TraderGary · Nov 7, 2022

golfergrrl said:
I wish I'd known about the mirroring function. 3 days later and Onedrive is still syncing. I had to set up the desktop again.
I've never had this much frustration with a computer before.

How big is your OneDrive folder and how fast is your Internet connection?

golfergrrl · Nov 7, 2022

@Fabler2: I didn't see that screen when I was setting up the new computer.
@TraderGary: 2.39G with a 3.20 Mbps download and .40 upload..... at best.

cereberus · Nov 7, 2022

CharmaineK said:
Log into to your computer as a local user. Not with Microsoft Account.

That has absolutely nothing to do with the issue!

Dru2 · Nov 7, 2022

One you understand OneDrive and how to use it, you'll see there's nothing to fear. I use it, and now couldn't live without it. Anyway...

Enable or Disable OneDrive in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the OneDrive feature for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. OneDrive is built-in to Windows 11 by default. With OneDrive, you can sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere -...

www.elevenforum.com

Turn On or Off OneDrive Run at Startup in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off start OneDrive automatically at sign in for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The options in this tutorial are no longer available for OneDrive. You can now just turn on/off OneDrive in Startup Apps settings below...

www.elevenforum.com

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

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

Also...

Fix OneDrive sync problems - Microsoft Support

Learn how to fix common OneDrive personal or OneDrive for Business sync problems.

support.microsoft.com

How to cancel or stop sync in OneDrive - Microsoft Support

Learn how to stop, cancel or pause uploads and downloads in OneDrive.

support.microsoft.com

Davy49 · Nov 7, 2022

golfergrrl said:
I backed up my old computer's Desktop, Document and Program Files on a flash drive and in Onedrive.
For 3 days now, Onedrive has been syncing to my new computer.
I can get at things in the Desktop to make icons and stuff on the new desktop.
Thing is, I don't want everything in Onedrive. I want it all on my computer.
Every single folder is pathed to Onedrive. I can't even make a local folder.
When I try to make a folder, it paths to Onedrive.
I don't want to use Onedrive for backup. When I tried to stop backing up I lost everything that had been done.
I don't want Onedrive at all. It's using our precious bandwidth which we don't have much of.
I want to use the info on my flash drive to set up my Desktop, Documents and Program Files.
I'm thinking I have to go back to factory and start again, but would lose all the programs
which I've downloaded and have to set up everything again from the flash drive info.
Wouldn't it be easier to just copy the flash drive info to the new computer? It would physically be there?
I just want to cry. Thanks for any advice.
Linda

Hi,
Of course as a member of these forums I'm sorry that you are having negative feelings as well as negative interactions with the onedrive application. I always try my best to take a neutral/middle of the road type of thinking here in the forums so as to try my best not to upset anyone if I can help it. I'm currently paying a monthly fee so I can obtain the extra storage that I require in the onedrive app., and while I feel as though the onedrive app. certainly isn't perfect by any means, at least for me it's always functioned pretty well for me over all of the year's that I've been using it. By chance have you taken a good look in the settings area of the app. where you can fine tune quite a few different settings ? I'm enclosing a screenshot of the area that I'm referring to for your reference, hopefully in the near future you will be able to get all of the 'kinks' that you are currently having with the app. corrected to your satisfaction. I should mention that I've also used the following for additional storage and it's also always performed great for me: The Secure Cloud Storage Solution for Your Business - MEGA Please Stay Safe & Healthy !
David

Fabler2 · Nov 7, 2022

Just remember folks @golfergrrl mentioned poor connection speeds so that leaves OneDrive out of the question me thinks. The only practical solution for the OP is to use OneDrive manually online if she wants to backup a few files to the cloud now and again.

This is the screen you should have seen during set-up,

Hannele2 · Nov 7, 2022

imanlien2020 said:
I personally cant stand onedrive.
Go here and follow instructions...
Complete removal of Onedrive

Yup - Wild horses couldn't convince me to use it at all. I'm certainly not logged into it and I'd be extremely reluctant to use it for anything at all. Obviously work forces you to use it - but I wouldn't put anything personal on it.

Both because I don't trust Microsoft and because I don't trust the country where their servers are located.

If you absolutely need that kind of functionality, use a third party or better still, just put your backups on a freestanding hard drive or stick.

TairikuOkami · Nov 7, 2022

Fabler2 said:
This is the screen you should have seen during set-up,

22H2 does not ask anymore, it enables onedrive automatically, when MSA is used. I had to disconnect onedrive afterwards to relocate folders and enable onedrive again, since onedrive loves removing user's files at will. Ussually I was able to do it during the setup.

strollin · Nov 7, 2022

OneDrive is highly configurable as to what gets synced and what doesn't. I use it to be able to access files from my various computers, cell phones, tablets, etc...

If you take the time to actually learn how to use it, you can make it do YOUR bidding!

Fabler2 · Nov 7, 2022

strollin said:
OneDrive is highly configurable as to what gets synced and what doesn't. I use it to be able to access files from my various computers, cell phones, tablets, etc...

If you take the time to actually learn how to use it, you can make it do YOUR bidding!

I certainly agree with that. What I disagree with is that Microsoft pre sets it to their liking and not allowing the user to determine the settings in a new install. See @TairikuOkami 's post.

Onedrive has taken over my new computer!!

Active member

My Computer

EternalSoul

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Stock Market Wizard

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Stock Market Wizard

My Computer

Active member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

Attachments

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Member

My Computer

Microsoft 365 Basic

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Similar threads