OneDrive: Still the elephant in the room.

jro11 · Aug 31, 2023

Searching the tutorials for "OneDrive", the list of hits on this subject seems endless...but I've not encountered one of them that effectively addresses OneDrive as the continuing elephant in the room.

Can we come up with a definitive way to either tame OneDrive into an operation that is compliments and helps the user, or find a way to do away with it completely. I know there are people who put up with it; and even some that like it; but it is my experience that overwhelmingly the Windows community loathes OneDrive. (Please do not make this topic into a diatribe for or against OneDrive.)

I run a number of computers (currently Win10, Win11, Linux(Mint)) at this site. Five of the Windows computers have Office 365 installed. I've had to fight a determined and difficult battle to remove OneDrive from these computers. I thought I'd won the war, but now I'm not so sure. Remnants of OneDrive remain on a couple computers and it seems Microsoft is trying to reinstall OneDrive as part of the regular Windows Updates users are forced to run. It was so difficult to deal with OneDrive that I've forgotten exactly what I had to do (during the 5-10 hours I spent with MS Tech support and a small library of downloaded MS documents) to get rid of this monster.

However I realize the cloud is an important, useful, even invaluable way to safely store, manipulate, share, and ensure the continued existence of digital information belonging to the author(s) of that material.

This is what I want (and would like everyone) to be able to do.

1) I want to render OneDrive impotent.
Currently OneDrive is designed to decide what happens with all material residing in one's Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures, and Videos spaces. I want OneDrive to NOT be able to commandeer, without user permission, or affect ANY area (e.g., Desktop) or folder or the material within any folder or area a Windows user uses or is forced to use.
The user should be able to construct a structure of files and folders that s/he determines best suits their workstyle and determine which of that material can be placed in the cloud, and the disposition of that material, whether it is in the cloud or in a local location.
Because the directories OneDrive currently commandeers are locations into which files, in many cases, are automatically directed, a way needs to be established for information to either bypass those locations or be allowed to reside there only long enough that they can automatically be removed and placed into locations under user control.

Can we figure out a simple way to a) transfer whatever OneDrive has already appropriated from our computers to user-controlled directories and continue to do that for as long as OneDrive tries to continue doing so; or b) render the directories/areas OneDrive feels to be its feeding grounds unavailable to OneDrive.

2) or...I want to be able to, easily, do away with OneCloud on my system completely. The premise under which I, and I believe a great many users thought and hoped OneCloud would operate was as a way to acquaint and introduce the user to the incredible safety and usefulness of having property on the Cloud. But this could only be done successfully if the cloud was under user control. If OneDrive cannot be available as an area onto which I can place, (update/sync), change and remove files, all subject completely to my discretion, then I would like to have the option of doing away with it completely, and not to have to suffer through it repeatedly reinstalling itself onto my equipment.
Can we find a simple way to stop OneDrive completely or remove it (and the Cloud services it purports to gift) completely from our Windows Operation?

cereberus · Aug 31, 2023

This is a load of codswallop - learn how to install Windows with files set to be stored locally. Then uninstall it.

I have pcs set up like this and onedrive never impacts them even with updates.

Scott · Aug 31, 2023

I set mine up the same way and its the first app I uninstall.
Has never reappeared after any update.

K7MEM · Aug 31, 2023

I have a few computers too. I removed OneDrive on all of them a few years ago. I have not had a problem with Windows updates trying to reinstall it on my W10 or W11 systems. I didn't have a tutorial, but I don't recall that removing OneDrive was all that difficult.

Try3 · Aug 31, 2023

I used the guidance in the Clean install tutorial to install offline & avoid an MSAccount [Steps 16, 21].
If I had let the clean install create an MSAccount, I would have had to select the option during installation to save files to the local computer [Step 20, Part L].

- I then uninstalled OneDrive when I'd finished the installation.

- On at least one computer, I also disabled its task in Task scheduler, Task scheduler library entry.

- I have half an idea that I also had to disable its entry in Task manager, Startup on one computer.

Clean Install Windows 11 - ElevenForumTutorials
When I installed Office 2021, OneDrive was installed as part of it so I uninstalled it again.
I didn't have any problems when uninstalling it or later on.
I can still go to my OneDrive online if I want to share a large file.

All the best,
Denis

Ghot · Aug 31, 2023

@jro11

A lot of MS software is like... cockroaches.
If you "see" one.... you've got hundreds of them. They're all un-obviously, tied together.

The trick is to do a clean install of Windows, (no internet connection), with just a local account.
During the install... say NO, skip, uncheck, etc., to... everything.
Then uninstall just about every MS App on the computer, "before" you rehook the internet.

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

If MS is suggesting (pushing) something on you... then it's to Microsoft's benefit, not yours.
It all started with the subscription model of Office (Office 365), and it's gonna get worse before it gets better.

Drug dealers could learn a thing or two from Microsoft. ^^

Sorry for the diatribe, but I did start out with a solution I know, works.
The pic below is a guide. It shows what I "know" can be removed without damaging Windows.

As for Office... you don't need Office 365.
StackSocial has legit sales of lifetime licenses of Office 2021 Professional, for as low as $29.99.
There are also at minimum, two 3rd party alternatives... Open Office and LibreOffice.

Say yes to Windows, but say no to the drugs that are Windows Apps.

glasskuter · Aug 31, 2023

Onedrive can be gotten rid of. My opinion differs from the others. MS CAN, if they choose, reinstall Onedrive. I consider a better option to uninstalling it, is to keep it from autostarting at boot. I don't care if it's on my computer so long as it's not running. Both instructions are in step 2 below. You can choose for yourself.

Step 1
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/turn-on-or-off-onedrive-folder-backup-syncing-across-windows-11-devices.4321/

Step 2
Option 1 Uninstall Onedrive -
Settings >Apps > Installed Apps>Microsoft Onedrive>click 3 dots >uninstall
(Or use Revo Uninstaller as it scans for leftover registry entries)

Option 2 Stop Onedrive from auto-starting Task Manager >Startup Apps >Microsoft Onedrive >Disable

Step 3 - make sure you have changed all options in 365 that involves Onedrive. Normally changing options in one 365 app is enough but I suggest double checking all 365 apps to be sure. Here's a screenshot for those in Word.

DigitalGoat · Aug 31, 2023

I get the feeling some people would rather spend more time on an 'angry man shouts at cloud' type thread (pun probably not intended) than spend the same or less amount of time looking through the regularly updated tutorials on this and many other forums on how to achieve Windows Nirvana of various shades.

As for OneDrive itself I am sure plenty of people find it perfectly useful, myself I don't need it so simply uninstalled it, I have never since seen it reappear & start pulling files off my systems.
The install file for the feature may well remain on your system (and might be put back with updates) just in case you want to reinstate it and takes up very little space, certainly little enough to be bothered about.
You can obsess over this and eventually work out how to permanently remove OneDrive and prevent it reappearing or just ignore it and move on once it has been turned off.
As others have pointed out some additional apps may well have OneDrive integration and you would need to tame it through those apps preferences, again there are tutorials and examples available all over these forums, for how to do so.

Ghot · Aug 31, 2023

I think eventually, Cloud storage of any type, will get to be a truly viable solution.
Until then... I would wait while corporations go through the hassle of getting the bugs and the scams, worked out.

No one really "needs" Cloud storage. It's just the lazy man's backup software.
Unfortunately, when you add middle men to your backup method (aka One Drive), you can no longer assure that things are being done... properly.

There are plenty of businesses that use Windows and One Drive. They have full time IT departments, to fix things... you don't.
Until they get the bugs and scams worked out, buy an external hard drive and do your own backups.

antspants · Aug 31, 2023

jro11 said:
(Please do not make this topic into a diatribe for or against OneDrive.)

ummmm… you started it?

antspants · Aug 31, 2023

Ghot said:
Unfortunately, when you add middle men to your backup method (aka One Drive), you can no longer assure that things are being done... properly.

Also… Every time I read that Microsoft/Google/Apple/Facebook etc don’t sift through your stuff, I laugh. So I think, don’t worry about it being done properly and be more worried about being done.

cbiweb · Aug 31, 2023

cereberus said:
This is a load of codswallop...

I've learned a new word today!

cereberus · Aug 31, 2023

cbiweb said:
I've learned a new word today!

Any Brit will know that one lol.

Sigurd · Aug 31, 2023

Had a recent discussion re this elephant a short while ago - see Selecting drives to sync with OneDrive
I have more or less sorted my issues out now thanks to the help I got (some have posted above). I still occasionally find an empty OneDrive folder.
Sorry not helping the OP by adding anything new but thought it might help to refer to the previous discussion.

markw51 · Aug 31, 2023

jro11 said:
Searching the tutorials for "OneDrive", the list of hits on this subject seems endless...but I've not encountered one of them that effectively addresses OneDrive as the continuing elephant in the room.

Can we come up with a definitive way to either tame OneDrive into an operation that is compliments and helps the user, or find a way to do away with it completely. I know there are people who put up with it; and even some that like it; but it is my experience that overwhelmingly the Windows community loathes OneDrive. (Please do not make this topic into a diatribe for or against OneDrive.)

I run a number of computers (currently Win10, Win11, Linux(Mint)) at this site. Five of the Windows computers have Office 365 installed. I've had to fight a determined and difficult battle to remove OneDrive from these computers. I thought I'd won the war, but now I'm not so sure. Remnants of OneDrive remain on a couple computers and it seems Microsoft is trying to reinstall OneDrive as part of the regular Windows Updates users are forced to run. It was so difficult to deal with OneDrive that I've forgotten exactly what I had to do (during the 5-10 hours I spent with MS Tech support and a small library of downloaded MS documents) to get rid of this monster.

However I realize the cloud is an important, useful, even invaluable way to safely store, manipulate, share, and ensure the continued existence of digital information belonging to the author(s) of that material.

This is what I want (and would like everyone) to be able to do.

1) I want to render OneDrive impotent.
Currently OneDrive is designed to decide what happens with all material residing in one's Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures, and Videos spaces. I want OneDrive to NOT be able to commandeer, without user permission, or affect ANY area (e.g., Desktop) or folder or the material within any folder or area a Windows user uses or is forced to use.
The user should be able to construct a structure of files and folders that s/he determines best suits their workstyle and determine which of that material can be placed in the cloud, and the disposition of that material, whether it is in the cloud or in a local location.
Because the directories OneDrive currently commandeers are locations into which files, in many cases, are automatically directed, a way needs to be established for information to either bypass those locations or be allowed to reside there only long enough that they can automatically be removed and placed into locations under user control.

Can we figure out a simple way to a) transfer whatever OneDrive has already appropriated from our computers to user-controlled directories and continue to do that for as long as OneDrive tries to continue doing so; or b) render the directories/areas OneDrive feels to be its feeding grounds unavailable to OneDrive.

2) or...I want to be able to, easily, do away with OneCloud on my system completely. The premise under which I, and I believe a great many users thought and hoped OneCloud would operate was as a way to acquaint and introduce the user to the incredible safety and usefulness of having property on the Cloud. But this could only be done successfully if the cloud was under user control. If OneDrive cannot be available as an area onto which I can place, (update/sync), change and remove files, all subject completely to my discretion, then I would like to have the option of doing away with it completely, and not to have to suffer through it repeatedly reinstalling itself onto my equipment.
Can we find a simple way to stop OneDrive completely or remove it (and the Cloud services it purports to gift) completely from our Windows Operation?

Simple, just uninstall it. There, job done.

Try3 · Aug 31, 2023

Mark,

Do read threads before posting in them. It helps everybody and saves you time.

All the best,
Denis

Winuser · Aug 31, 2023

Ghot said:
It all started with the subscription model of Office (Office 365), and it's gonna get worse before it gets better.

Drug dealers could learn a thing or two from Microsoft. ^^

I put the blame on gaming for the start of the subscription software.

glasskuter · Aug 31, 2023

@jro11 At least you realized all your files were going to onedrive. Many, many people do not. The ones who like onedrive, love it. The ones who want no part of onedrive detest it. Others do not have a clue what onedrive even is and don't know they're even using it the minute they set up a MS account..

No one has been a bigger opponent of Onedrive than me. But no matter one's opinion, Onedrive is here to stay and as MS integrates more and more into it, I truly believe there will come a time in the not so distant future that if we're going to use Windows, we will have to have Onedrive on our systems.

Winuser · Aug 31, 2023

Ghot said:
No one really "needs" Cloud storage. It's just the lazy man's backup software.

I see it as a plus. I like being able to access all of my files from anywhere I have internet. Plus I have my phone set to automatically upload any photos I take to my OneDrive account. I would like to see MS stop trying to force it on users that don't want it. When setting a new computer or Windows install OneDrive should be an option one has to manually choose. MS knows that a lot of users will miss where the can opt out if they want.

Ghot · Aug 31, 2023

Winuser said:
I put the blame on gaming for the start of the subscription software.

I agree. It started back in 2002-ish with pay to play and DLC.

Winuser said:
I see it as a plus. I like being able to access all of my files from anywhere I have internet. Plus I have my phone set to automatically upload any photos I take to my OneDrive account. I would like to see MS stop trying to force it on users that don't want it. When setting a new computer or Windows install OneDrive should be an option one has to manually choose. MS knows that a lot of users will miss where the can opt out if they want.

These days you can get a 2TB external SSD that would fit in your pocket.
I'd imagine some bright youngster will come up with some teeny Linux OS for them, so you CAN access your data, anywhere.

They even have 1TB flash drives and SD cards.

I think it will end up being huge USB flash drives. I don't think SD cards are tough enough, to routinely swap between different devices over and over.

H*ll, in 50 years we'll probably have USB ports on our necks.
"Just a sec, lemme look that up. [plugs USB stick into neck] Yeah... Schrödinger's equation is... ".

In 100 years... maybe 100ZB chips in our necks, no ports necessary. With built in OS and wireless too.
And there'll still be peeps that think the world is flat.