Whats on OneDrive, Whats On internal only?


varxtis

Active member
Local time
3:11 AM
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20
OS
Windows 10
So, on Windows 10, I was able to add content to the One Drive account. The One Drive directory had similarly named directories/folders, like Pictures, Documents, etc. But it was fairly easy to understand and keep track of what is being saves to which folder, manually or automatically. Images I had solely on internal, where Documents were on One Drive.

Ive recently backed up everything and done a fresh install of Win 11.

The issue Im renning into, is that All the One Drive content is automatically synced to my Computer. I want to go through and clear everything off One Drive, and start fresh. But unfortunately there are 2 issues. Windows directories automatically link to most One drive directories. One Drive no longer says "One Drive", but Personal, which confuses the bleep out of me. For some reason my brain can't stop associating "Personal" with "My PC" or even "User". I know its stupid. But this makes it very very very difficult for me to track what newly installed programs are using "Personal" (One Drive) directories or using internal (only) directories.

the 2nd issue is that some directories like Pictures, Videos, Documents, all share the same labels and icons. So, when I click one on the start menu, I don't know if Im in personal or internal.

Honestly, either way Im torn... I want to get away from One Drive to keep things better organized, and I have two 8TB drives that Ill be using as redundant backups. but in a recent issue where I corrupted an Adobe Illustrator file, one Id been working on for over a year, One Drive backs up information almost every 5-10mins allowing for restore points. I was able to restore my file thanks to that. Had I been relying strictly on manually doing updates to the External HDDs via goodsync, I would have lost a LOT of work.

Is there a way to know what directories are on One Drive and which are internal, which are set to default without "unsyncing" or deleting anything until I get my bareings? Possibly hide them without effecting programs files needed?
 
Windows Build/Version
Ver. 22H2 Build 22621.963

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
Anything in the OneDrive folder will be synchronised with The Cloud and then your other devices. My upload speed is only 1Mb/s so it slowed down my browsing and I uninstalled OD. This is ideal for me because any file or folder is still available at OneDrive.com.
I use Macrium Reflect to back up every week or so and that is enough for a retired old fart like me.
I moved all my documents, music, downloads etc from C:\ users\ marti\onedrive to C:\users\ marti but I'm not sure this was really necessary.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 23H2 OS build 22631.3296
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift SF114-34
    CPU
    Pentium Silver N6000 1.10GHz
    Memory
    4GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD
    Cooling
    fanless
    Internet Speed
    13Mbps
    Browser
    Brave, Edge or Firefox
    Antivirus
    Webroot Secure Anywhere
    Other Info
    System 3

    ASUS T100TA Transformer
    Processor Intel Atom Z3740 @ 1.33GHz
    Installed RAM 2.00 GB (1.89 GB usable)
    System type 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor

    Edition Windows 10 Home
    Version 22H2 build 19045.3570
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
The folders under Home are connected to OneDrive and do not sync with the folders of same name in C:users. However, even setup this way, you can still access your files offline.
If you also want to save locally you can add your own folders and manually copy documents and pictures to save locally under C:users. But remember they do not sync with the OneDrive. It's backwards to how it used to be if you use OneDrive - previously files were saved to local computer and an option to sync to OneDrive, now it automatically syncs to OneDrive and you can create your own local location and copy or move files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11 22623.891
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel R Core TM i7 - 1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel R Iris R Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek R Audio, Intel Smart Sound
    Hard Drives
    C
    Browser
    Google
    Antivirus
    Windows Security/Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Downloaded MSEdgeRedirect
Where is this Home folder of which you speak?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 23H2 OS build 22631.3296
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift SF114-34
    CPU
    Pentium Silver N6000 1.10GHz
    Memory
    4GB
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD
    Cooling
    fanless
    Internet Speed
    13Mbps
    Browser
    Brave, Edge or Firefox
    Antivirus
    Webroot Secure Anywhere
    Other Info
    System 3

    ASUS T100TA Transformer
    Processor Intel Atom Z3740 @ 1.33GHz
    Installed RAM 2.00 GB (1.89 GB usable)
    System type 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor

    Edition Windows 10 Home
    Version 22H2 build 19045.3570
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.2506
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Mini 210-1090NR PC (bought in late 2009!)
    CPU
    Atom N450 1.66GHz
    Memory
    2GB
Anything in the OneDrive folder will be synchronised with The Cloud and then your other devices. My upload speed is only 1Mb/s so it slowed down my browsing and I uninstalled OD. This is ideal for me because any file or folder is still available at OneDrive.com.
I use Macrium Reflect to back up every week or so and that is enough for a retired old fart like me.
I moved all my documents, music, downloads etc from C:\ users\ marti\onedrive to C:\users\ marti but I'm not sure this was really necessary.
Plus you have to keep up with moving data as the two locations do not sync with each other. Correct it is not necessary because even though folders/files are mapped to OneDrive they are still accessible offline without also being stored in locally C:user. Basically using the c:users location for backup which is backwards to previous Windows where Overdrive was the backup and a choice. I changed the location of my Screenshot folder from OneDrive to c:users as I don't need those taking up OneDrive space.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11 22623.891
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel R Core TM i7 - 1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel R Iris R Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek R Audio, Intel Smart Sound
    Hard Drives
    C
    Browser
    Google
    Antivirus
    Windows Security/Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Downloaded MSEdgeRedirect

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11 22623.891
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel R Core TM i7 - 1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel R Iris R Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek R Audio, Intel Smart Sound
    Hard Drives
    C
    Browser
    Google
    Antivirus
    Windows Security/Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Downloaded MSEdgeRedirect
I appreciate the information. So, I guess my main issue is as you mention, things are defaulting to Onedrive. System Files and Appdata are the acception (to the best of my knowledge) as they save to internal by default. But what about programs that install necessary files (usually profile or settings related - Blizzard and Logitech are good examples) to "Documents". Would this be be "internal" Documents, or "One Drive" Documents? Ill be getting a new computer soon that will have 2 TB, but my One Drive account/subscription is the standard 1TB. I know that when you're generally saving pictures, videos, music, and downloaded content, it's never automatic. You are directed to choose where to download/Save. With windows 10, if I go to save to "Documents", "Pictures", etc... there was no confusion that these are internal directories. But as you say, it seems like it's the reverse now. The confusion for me is that both internal and one drive contain directories with same name and same icon. For me, it makes it impossible to tell where Im saving. Are those programs saving to internal documents or One Drive documents. One Drive was always an Option... something where you could delete files and folders freely without concern of how itll affect the system. An internet/online thumb-drive. Ugh, I feel more like Im venting than anything else. I don't know how to form my question. I Just had hoped to know that with windows 11, Programs only install related data to internal and thats it. I hoped that If I wanted to save photos, there's just one folder titled photos that's strictly internal, and then if I wanted to copy folders to One Drive, then I can. I just don't know if Im looking at Internal or One Drive now for the most part.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
confusion

The confusion is by design, i.e. W11 makes it deliberately confusing for you to discern where your data is stored, locally or in the cloud (or both) I guess the lofty MS objective is tight local-cloud integration.

If you want to store your data locally only and clearly discern that that's the case, then, IMHO, it is best is to eliminate the OneDrive app that is the vehicle for the 'tight local-cloud integration':

> backup your data on an external local storage medium. you may have to piece your data together from local sources and from the cloud
> disconnect the external local storage medium
> stop OneDrive sync
> uninstall the OneDrive app altogether
> restore your data from the external local storage medium
> your data is now stored locally and will only be stored locally (since there is no OneDrive app anymore) Note that you can still use your OneDrive in the cloud as a USB stick in the cloud
> you can always re-install the OneDrive app

More info here

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
You have to specifically choose where to manually save files on the local drive.
I choose to save some files I don't want on OneDrive to This PC-Windows(c)-username-documents. The documents folder in this location and the one under Home are 2 different folders and do not sync with eachother.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11 22623.891
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel R Core TM i7 - 1165G7 @ 2.80GHz
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel R Iris R Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek R Audio, Intel Smart Sound
    Hard Drives
    C
    Browser
    Google
    Antivirus
    Windows Security/Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Downloaded MSEdgeRedirect
You have to specifically choose where to manually save files on the local drive.
I choose to save some files I don't want on OneDrive to This PC-Windows(c)-username-documents. The documents folder in this location and the one under Home are 2 different folders and do not sync with eachother.
I wanted to see what File Explorer showed when I clicked on Home. I was surprised to see that it shows where the files are being stored. Home.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
The answer is simple. All the "ones" go on OneDrive (that's why it's called: OneDrive), and all the "zeroes" go on the local storage. (Just kidding ofc) :D
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3374 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
Well, I myself found the issue important enough to uninstall OneDrive from my W11 laptop and from my W10 desktop, which is a pretty radical measure. Normally, you can expect to get into some kind of long term trouble when you go against MS mainstream. I guess I am lucky that I have been able to duck all troubles so far.

Folks, if you want to stay with MS mainstream, follow @CharmaineK and similar advice (y)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
I don't have a problem with OneDrive. I use it for my pictures and documents. I do have a problem with MS trying to take away our options to setup and run our computers the way we want. For an example, they want to force us to use an MS account the first time we setup our computers. Then they have the nerve to force us to use the first five characters of our email. Would it really be that hard for them to give us the option to choose our username? Another example is how they make it too easy to miss the option not to use OneDrive for our user folders. It should be an opt in and not an opt out setting.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I wanted to see what File Explorer showed when I clicked on Home. I was surprised to see that it shows where the files are being stored. View attachment 48309
Well. . . . Ill admit, I have nothing. Ya, I missed that minor, non-unimportant obscurely obvious detail. >_> Im gonna go over here now with resolved but thankful shame.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10

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