Should I leave the desktop, documents & pictures folders in onedrive?

mck · Mar 23, 2023

Up to now, my PCs always had two internal drives. The C drive for windows and installed programs. The D drive for all of my data. (I will still be using my Win10 Tower PC with two drives for the bulk of my work.)

However, I just bought a mini PC with Win11 and will, for the first time, only have one drive (a SSD) in it. Therefore I will be storing my data in the standard user folders in C:\Users\UserName path. (Win11, ver 21H2, Build 22000, 1696)

However, I discovered that Win11 has it's Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders in the C:\Users\UserName\Onedrive path. The Music and Video folders are in the C:\Users\UserName path.

For folks who only have a one drive system using the standard Win11 folders on C drive, how do you manage your data with some folders in Onedrive and some not in Onedrive? Will there be negative effects down the road with the folders in Onedrive?

Why Microsoft set the user folders up in this way is mind boggling.

Porthos · Mar 23, 2023

mck said:
Why Microsoft set the user folders up in this way is mind boggling.

Microsoft is trying to get users who already not using m365 with the 1tb storage to subscribe.
If you don't, your one drive is limited to the 5gigs offered for free and you will start getting nagged to upgrade your one drive storage.
Id you do not use one drive there are guides to put things back the way they used to be and uninstall one drive.

Jamis · Mar 23, 2023

Don't know, but my new HP Envy tower had everything on the SSD, but has wiring and mount for a SATA HDD, which I installed when I set the system up. I moved Music, Pictures, and Videos from the Onedrive to the SSD and stopped Onedrive. I backup all data to the internal HDD now.

barreleye · Mar 23, 2023

I like to have Pictures in OneDrive. I also keep a handful of documents in OneDrive I want to be available when I'm out and some Bitlockered VHDX containers for backups to supplement my two sets of physical backups, and that's it.

glasskuter · Mar 24, 2023

Welcome to the forum. Here are the tutorials you need.

Desktop- Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Documents- Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Pictures - Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

mck · Mar 26, 2023

glasskuter said:
Welcome to the forum. Here are the tutorials you need.

Desktop- Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Documents- Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Pictures - Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

I haven't given up on this thread. Trying some things, time permitting. I shall return.
mck

AspenQn · Apr 15, 2023

Well here's another OneDrive victim. Started getting the nagging out of space message trying to get me to subscribe to Microsoft 365 (which I did with intent of cleaning up Outlook which is main culprit of being out of space). Didn't realize that subscribe would remove my permanent edition of Office which was on my Win11 laptop. Then my Desktop and ALL of my documents disappeared. Escalated issue to OneDrive Escalations who tell me to restore from OneDrive recycle bin...which it did restore only to find out every document inside of a folder had been deleted and unable to be found. Run a third-party recovery only to find out most of the stuff is garbled and garbage. Luckily most of my documents were backed up on an external drive.

At this point it looks like the logical and cleanest way to clean up this clusterf**k is to perform a factory reset and restore/clone from my old laptop. Have a follow up call scheduled with MS Executive Escalations on Monday and see what they have to say.

My question is this - if I perform a factory reset with a clean install of Windows 11, what happens if I uninstall OneDrive? I know I'm never going to use it again but I'm still in the process of cleaning out my Outlook and will be over the storage limit for a bit longer. I know someone whose Outlook email stopped being able to send or receive until they purchased the basic Microsoft 365 package. I should be able to restore my permanent version of Office so not worried about that...just worried about being able to use Outlook email.

Porthos · Apr 15, 2023

If you use outlook.com or Hotmail.com as your email address, Onedrive installed or not you are subject to a 5gig attachment storage limit and a 15gig regular HTML storage limit.

glasskuter · Apr 15, 2023

AspenQn said:
if I perform a factory reset with a clean install of Windows 11, what happens if I uninstall OneDrive?

AspenQn said:
just worried about being able to use Outlook email.

REGARDING YOUR OUTLOOK MAIL It is my understanding you have 15 gb of outlook storage. You also have 5gb of onedrive storage for files. If you exceed the 5gb file storage limit, outlook mail will quit working even if you have not exceeded its 15 gb limit. So once you get your computer straightened out, it is imperative you log in to Onedrive on the web, and delete enough (or all) your files to get below its 5gb limit.

There's no need to uninstall onedrive, as a windows update will at some point only reinstall it again. Just stop it from autostarting. However, Know this, if you reset and delete everything or even clean install. The default location of your personal folders will probably be onedrive as soon as your account is created.As soon as you login for the first time is the time to deal with it before you copy all your backed up files into your user folders. Instructions of what to do are lower in this post if you choose to do it your way rather than my suggestion below.

Your idea will work, but If Windows is otherwise working well, rather than resetting or clean installing, I would handle it by creating a new local account. Y The reason I say this is because you would be dealing with a new account if you reset or install anyway and with a local account your user folders will automatically be on your hard drive rather than onedrive..
Make a new user account:
From your current account, go to settings-accounts-family & other users. Make a new local user account with a new user name. (Be sure to make it an administrative account, NOT a standard account) To do this click the drop arrow to the right of newly established account and change account type to administrator.

Note 1: If you have autologon set to on, you will need to disable it.
To disable autologon- type netplwiz in search and select netplwiz run command in search results. Put a check in the box by 'users must enter a username and password to use this computer" Apply, OK
NOTE 2: You cannot copy or move files directly from one user profile to another without running into permission problems so do this.
1. From your old account- Insert a usb or external drive. COPY your personal files/folders from your current user and PASTE them onto storage media.

2. Restart the computer and log in to newly created account. (Windows will ask you to create a password and then build the desktop for the new account.)

3. COPY the files you saved to the external drive and PASTE them into the corresponding folders in the new account. Note-You can also copy shortcuts to apps, but shortcuts to files and folders will have to be rebuilt as their path will now be different.

4. From the new account
Unlink PC from Onedrive In task tray, click Onedrive icon. Click gear icon. Select Settings. Click Account in left pane.Select "Unlink this PC"if it shows linked.

To prevent Onedrive popup nags, turn off automatic startup of Onedrive-Navigate to Settings> Apps > Startup.
Locate Microsoft Onedrive in the list and disable the toggle next to it.

In the new account you will have to change any personal settings you had made in the old account which is a pain in the rear, but it is what it is. When you get the new user account like you want it and verify that everything is working correctly, delete your old user account. (Settings-accounts-family and other users-select the old account-click the drop arrow to the right and remove.)

If you currently use a Microsoft account, you can change the new user account to a Microsoft account after the old account is deleted if you wish. I much prefer a local account myself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you go with a reset or clean install, here is how to deal with onedrive. I've tried to make it as detailed as I could. If you get stuck or have any questions, report back.
2 sets of instructions that are the same, Brink's tutorials with screenshots, my notes which are easy print. Since you do not want to use Onedrive at all, Use Option 1 in my notes.

Desktop- Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Documents- Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Pictures - Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Here are my condensed notes that correspond with the above tutorials.

Pre-requisite -Do Option 1 or 2 depending on whether or not you intend to use onedrive at all.

Option 1. If you want to turn of Onedrive completely, Unlink PC from Onedrive In task tray, click Onedrive icon. Click gear icon. Select Settings. Click Account in left pane.Select "Unlink this PC"
To prevent Onedrive popup nags, turn off automatic startup of Onedrive-Navigate to Settings> Apps > Startup.
Locate Microsoft Onedrive in the list and disable the toggle next to it.

Option 2. If you backup any folders to Onedrive temporarily turn backup off until after you move the default location of your folders. Afterwards, you can move your folders. Use this tutorial which cover both new onedrive and old onedrive. If you're on 22h2 you will have new onedrive. Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

Move folders from onedrive to user folder on C: drive -
Browse to C:\users\yourusername
Create 3 new folders named Desktop, Documents, Pictures (There should already be folders there for all the other user folders that do not default to Onedrive)

Navigate back to This PC - RIGHT click on existing Desktop folder, select properties.
Click location tab
Click Move button
Click the Select Folder button.

In the explorer window that pops up, browse to C:\users\yourusername and select the Desktop folder you created there.
Click Select Folder, Click Move. Click Ok

You'll see a prompt asking whether you want to move files from the old location to new location. Select YES.
now go to properties of the Desktop folder in file explorer, it should show location as your default user folder.

Repeat this process for the other 2 folders (Documents and Pictures) that you want to move to the default user folder location.

You can now copy your saved files back into the appropriate folders.

Porthos · Apr 16, 2023

glasskuter said:
If you exceed the 5gb file storage limit

It is the saved attachments in the inbox and sent folders that are counted against the 5-gig free storage limit. M365 users have no worries.

Outlook.com will be using up your OneDrive quota

Microsoft has announced that Outlook.com email attachments will counted as part of the OneDrive allowance. That means your OneDrive quota will be used up a litt

office-watch.com

Haydon · Apr 16, 2023

glasskuter said:
REGARDING YOUR OUTLOOK MAIL It is my understanding you have 15 gb of outlook storage. You also have 5gb of onedrive storage for files. If you exceed the 5gb file storage limit, outlook mail will quit working even if you have not exceeded its 15 gb limit. So once you get your computer straightened out, it is imperative you log in to Onedrive on the web, and delete enough (or all) your files to get below its 5gb limit.

There's no need to uninstall onedrive, as a windows update will at some point only reinstall it again. Just stop it from autostarting. However, Know this, if you reset and delete everything or even clean install. The default location of your personal folders will probably be onedrive as soon as your account is created.As soon as you login for the first time is the time to deal with it before you copy all your backed up files into your user folders. Instructions of what to do are lower in this post if you choose to do it your way rather than my suggestion below.

Your idea will work, but If Windows is otherwise working well, rather than resetting or clean installing, I would handle it by creating a new local account. Y The reason I say this is because you would be dealing with a new account if you reset or install anyway and with a local account your user folders will automatically be on your hard drive rather than onedrive..
Make a new user account:
From your current account, go to settings-accounts-family & other users. Make a new local user account with a new user name. (Be sure to make it an administrative account, NOT a standard account) To do this click the drop arrow to the right of newly established account and change account type to administrator.

Note 1: If you have autologon set to on, you will need to disable it.
To disable autologon- type netplwiz in search and select netplwiz run command in search results. Put a check in the box by 'users must enter a username and password to use this computer" Apply, OK
NOTE 2: You cannot copy or move files directly from one user profile to another without running into permission problems so do this.
1. From your old account- Insert a usb or external drive. COPY your personal files/folders from your current user and PASTE them onto storage media.

2. Restart the computer and log in to newly created account. (Windows will ask you to create a password and then build the desktop for the new account.)

3. COPY the files you saved to the external drive and PASTE them into the corresponding folders in the new account. Note-You can also copy shortcuts to apps, but shortcuts to files and folders will have to be rebuilt as their path will now be different.

4. From the new account
Unlink PC from Onedrive In task tray, click Onedrive icon. Click gear icon. Select Settings. Click Account in left pane.Select "Unlink this PC"if it shows linked.

To prevent Onedrive popup nags, turn off automatic startup of Onedrive-Navigate to Settings> Apps > Startup.
Locate Microsoft Onedrive in the list and disable the toggle next to it.

In the new account you will have to change any personal settings you had made in the old account which is a pain in the rear, but it is what it is. When you get the new user account like you want it and verify that everything is working correctly, delete your old user account. (Settings-accounts-family and other users-select the old account-click the drop arrow to the right and remove.)

If you currently use a Microsoft account, you can change the new user account to a Microsoft account after the old account is deleted if you wish. I much prefer a local account myself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you go with a reset or clean install, here is how to deal with onedrive. I've tried to make it as detailed as I could. If you get stuck or have any questions, report back.
2 sets of instructions that are the same, Brink's tutorials with screenshots, my notes which are easy print. Since you do not want to use Onedrive at all, Use Option 1 in my notes.

Desktop- Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Documents- Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Pictures - Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Here are my condensed notes that correspond with the above tutorials.

Pre-requisite -Do Option 1 or 2 depending on whether or not you intend to use onedrive at all.

Option 1. If you want to turn of Onedrive completely, Unlink PC from Onedrive In task tray, click Onedrive icon. Click gear icon. Select Settings. Click Account in left pane.Select "Unlink this PC"
To prevent Onedrive popup nags, turn off automatic startup of Onedrive-Navigate to Settings> Apps > Startup.
Locate Microsoft Onedrive in the list and disable the toggle next to it.

Option 2. If you backup any folders to Onedrive temporarily turn backup off until after you move the default location of your folders. Afterwards, you can move your folders. Use this tutorial which cover both new onedrive and old onedrive. If you're on 22h2 you will have new onedrive. Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

Move folders from onedrive to user folder on C: drive -
Browse to C:\users\yourusername
Create 3 new folders named Desktop, Documents, Pictures (There should already be folders there for all the other user folders that do not default to Onedrive)

Navigate back to This PC - RIGHT click on existing Desktop folder, select properties.
Click location tab
Click Move button
Click the Select Folder button.

In the explorer window that pops up, browse to C:\users\yourusername and select the Desktop folder you created there.
Click Select Folder, Click Move. Click Ok

You'll see a prompt asking whether you want to move files from the old location to new location. Select YES.
now go to properties of the Desktop folder in file explorer, it should show location as your default user folder.

Repeat this process for the other 2 folders (Documents and Pictures) that you want to move to the default user folder location.

You can now copy your saved files back into the appropriate folders.

Uninstalling the OneDrive app is a much simpler solution, it is also a much safer solution against Windows Update reversing the solution, reinstalling the OneDrive app (or any app) is a big step that IMHO Windows Update never does

Unlike any changes to any of the OneDrive settings that Windows Update can reverse, that is a small step that Windows Update sometimes does > the OneDrive victim gets victimized again

glasskuter · Apr 16, 2023

Haydon said:
reinstalling the OneDrive app (or any app) is a big step that IMHO Windows Update never does

Not a regular update but a version upgrade. Onedrive is so ingrained in everything MS does these days IMO disabling it makes more sense than uninstalling it. The way I look at it, they can push its installation on me, but so far I have control of the startup folder and they can't force me to run it. (YET!!) I truly believe that at some point in the near future, MS will require all systems to have at least one administrator account to be a MS account and one will HAVE to have onedrive... no workarounds, no way to uninstall or disable onedrive. The writing on the wall made MS's direction clear to me when it became so difficult to set up a local account during OOBE. The writing started flashing in big bold letters when default user folders started going straight to onedrive.

Remember your MS history. When it comes to all their rules and requirements, most changes have been done gradually rather than them slapping it all in our face all at once. I've tried to be proactive with all this MS BS but whether or not my plan will remain working is yet to be seen. I played their game and created a MS account, but I also created another local account which is my main account. I never work from the MS account.

Haydon · Apr 16, 2023

@glasskuter If a Windows version upgrade can re-install OneDrive, then a Windows version upgrade can re-enable OneDrive even easier, disable is still a smaller change than uninstall.

A regular Windows update can re-enable OneDrive whereas a regular Windows update does not re-install OneDrive.

Although, on my (upgraded to) W10Pro machine, I never had OneDrive re-installed through regular Windows updates nor through Windows version upgrades since the 4 years that I have it.

To me, uninstalling OneDrive makes more sense, to each his own

Edit: To whoever has the OneDrive problem, there is a tutorial on uninstalling/reinstalling OneDrive.

TechnoMage2021 · Apr 17, 2023

mck said:
Up to now, my PCs always had two internal drives. The C drive for windows and installed programs. The D drive for all of my data. (I will still be using my Win10 Tower PC with two drives for the bulk of my work.)

However, I just bought a mini PC with Win11 and will, for the first time, only have one drive (a SSD) in it. Therefore I will be storing my data in the standard user folders in C:\Users\UserName path. (Win11, ver 21H2, Build 22000, 1696)

However, I discovered that Win11 has it's Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders in the C:\Users\UserName\Onedrive path. The Music and Video folders are in the C:\Users\UserName path.

For folks who only have a one drive system using the standard Win11 folders on C drive, how do you manage your data with some folders in Onedrive and some not in Onedrive? Will there be negative effects down the road with the folders in Onedrive?

Why Microsoft set the user folders up in this way is mind boggling.

If I live to be 100, and that's only 20 years away, I will never understand some peoples logic. I have at least six PC's with only one hard drive, some with mechanical HD's and some with SSD's.
And on every one of them, I've re-partitioned the drives for a C: drive and a D: drive. C: for the OS and programs, and D: for the Data files and the Backups of C:

Having a Backup of C: on D: is great for a quickie Restore if one should be needed. For a more permanent Backup, like for Tornado and Hurricane protection, you can always copy the Quick Backup on D: to an External drive, and put that in a secure location.

OneDrive? NEVER, in this life or the next!!!