The Problem With OneDrive Backup
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- ❌ OneDrive's backup function is broken. I'll explain why and what to do about it.
❌ OneDrive Backup? No thanks
The “Manage folder backup” option in OneDrive moves the contents of your Documents (and Desktop and Pictures) folder into the OneDrive folder. This can cause you to exceed your OneDrive storage limits. Turning the feature off isn’t enough to undo the damage.
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✅ Watch next ▶ Half a Dozen Uses for OneDrive ▶ • Half a Dozen Uses for ...
Chapters
0:00 OneDrive Backup Problem
0:38 What it's doing
1:30 What happens to your documents
3:00 Finding your documents folders
5:15 The cloud
8:10 Enabling OneDrive backup
11:30 OneDrive moves Documents
13:10 Data limits
15:00 Turn off backup
16:00 Where are your documents?
17:20 Putting everything back
18:20 The short explanation
21:00 Recommendation
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Confused is putting it lightly, furious is more suitable. For close to an hour I thought I had lost all my files. Thank you for your video.
On my phone, I've backed up my photos , but i don't want to use onedrive as Its controlling my photos and i cant do anything (I'm kinda in the same predicament) . If if i disable it ,it removes my photos from my phone , I don't know how to stop it from doing this?
exactly.!
@@nerfgodbigguy1405same thing but on my computer it has half of my saved games… dnt need dat crap on my phone
This is probably the best explanation I've ever seen on CZcams. You explained very clearly and precisely, and your speaking pace was slow enough to follow. Plus you showed on screen what is really happening and the consequence of actions Microsoft seem force you to take. Microsoft is not necessarily my friend. I thought I was loosing my mind looking for documents. Now I can create a plan to identify where my docs may exist. I'm afraid of finding out I may have lost documents by turning backup on, then turning it off. I recently had a problem with my hard drive, and the support staff told me they had never seen such a mess.
hold my beer My computer's SSD is such a clusterf*k that I don't even know how to sort it out. I'm a volunteer with RC (Red Cross) which is married to Microsoft so OneDrive comes with. And since RC does NOT issue computers to its volunteers I have to use my own personal computers to do RC work. Now my personal documents are somehow mixed with RC documents. A rat's nest within another rat's nest within another rat's nest! RC has a CIO and I'm convinced his mission is to drive us all crazy.
As I said above Microsoft should be ashamed of themselves.
I agree 💯. I thought I had somehow screwed up all my file s.
Thanks for this video, Leo. Another nasty thing with OneDrive is when you have two computers, doing two completely different kinds of work, and yet OneDrive only allows for one desktop folder. It creates a big mess in a big hurry with icons for programs that you don’t use on each of the computers and other useless annoyances.
Nice point! IHO MS haven't understand it's own products since Windows XP. (as I commented another comment that had another nice point)
Very good explanation! Yes, having multiple computers does create a big mess. But it can be fine if OneDrive is set up with multiple computers in mind. The trick is to have several folders (one for each PC) in the OneDrive folder on the each local PC. Then you can change the Documents shortcut to point to the new folder on the PC. If you like I can explain in more detail. I currently have 5 PCs using the same oneDrive account. Each PC will mirror to its own area on the cloud, but using file manager, you can get to any of the other areas for the other PCs. Also note that the desktop folders will all be merged unless not they are not segregated. Having a merged Desktop folder creates some 'interesting' results!
If the links are on the common desktop for that system, (which is where most program links go), they are there for any who sign into that system, but don't live on their personal desktop (and won't be synced).
Exactly! That messed up my files!
One Drive is a mess for online gaming. One drive backs up your game files and uses bandwidth you want to available to the game. If you have a copy of the game on a laptop things can get confused. You should at least be able to block backup on the folders the game uses.
If only everyone posting help videos online could be as clear as you. I finally understand how OneDrive works. THANK YOU !
Thank you so much for explaining how One Drive works! I've been beside myself since I turned on backup thinking it was a good thing, and frantic after my business documents all disappeared! I didn't know what to do about it. I finally found them on One Drive, but when I worked on the documents on OneDrive (large Photoshop files or large MS Word docs), they were very slow and would stop frequently. So I started putting everything I was working on into the downloads folder for safekeeping. Yesterday I ordered a 5TB hard drive to handle my backups and I'm going to straighten out my files and turn off OneDrive forever. All it's done is take up precious time - and a lot of it - to manage my files. I am very disgusted with Microsoft for removing my files from my hard drive!! I thought they would be just backed up - not REMOVED!
I didn't even turn Backup on and Microsoft did it clandestinely. Shame on them, now I have a lot of unnecessary work to do
Uninstall the entire OneDrive app. That's what I just did today.
Well done Leo. You are probably the only one explaining this confusing and very invasive application so well on yt.
This is such a bad idea on so many levels. To make matters worse there is no attempt to explain this concept to a user (except by Leo!) Thank you sir - this engineer finally has a grasp.
MS documentation is at best out of date, and at worst vague to the point of wrong in a lot of areas.
I do the same with my NAS. Best solution ever as I cab have my OS up and running very quickly and mirror everything across Mt laptop and desktop. But it's not a backup.
My problem with the one drive, is that it is messing up user settings. It's a nightmare.
The whole point is to confuse people and make them think they need a subscription to use their computer.
OMG Leo. I was totally lost. Best 22 minutes I've spent in the last year. You saved me. You made it so easy, even I understand what's occurring. Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!
YOU HAVE NO IDEA how useful this is. I work in an Apple Macintosh environment, but we do have one Windows PC. I watched your video at the end of a long hard day and appreciated your slow deliberate clear explanation - especially as I do not know Windows at all. You have just saved us losing a clients files.
There is little to add to what people have already said. You are a hero for providing such a clear explanation of this very confusing issue.
Not being a computer expert, I didn't know how the One Drive hijacked my pictures and documents. I will figure how to shut this off. It has messed with my ability to store pictures or videos and has even locked out my e-mail account. F'n frustrating. I have tried to explain this to my wife and she doesn't have this problem as she uses Google and probably never turned on the cloud backup. Thanks for making this video and helping those of us who just want to store our files locally.
THANK YOU!!!!! I turned off backup thinking I didn't need it and ALL my desktop icons were gone! This was so confusing, but you cleared it up. Thanks again!
Finally I understand one drive after several years. Everything described happened to me, confusion and frustration everywhere. Ask Leo. Well done.
Many thanks Leo. My wife accidentally turned on one drive back up on her PC without realising the implications. I was then ‘called in’ to fix it and had no idea what had gone on until I watched your very informative video. Thanks again.
Hey Leo,
Your manner of explaining things is by far the clearest of any on the internet!
Subscribed.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Sir Leo, for taking the time to create this video and clarify the feature of OneDrive cloud storage. While I was already familiar with the information you shared, I appreciate your dedication to helping others understand the topic better. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Leo, so many videos out there about how amazing onedrive is and how easy it is to setup but you are the first one I have found who explains these pitfalls well and it takes away a lot of confusion! Even though I don’t like the way it is designed knowing how it works is essential if you want to make use of it. And why Microsoft doesn’t explain this better is very strange, the least they could do is give you warnings about the effects of turning the feature on or off so you can understand the consequences. Anyway, super helpful, thanks!
Thanks. Personally I just think they made a super bad design decision and are now unwilling to back away from it. There are SO MANY better solutions. (For example Dropbox will let you do similar, and it's implemented sanely.)
To make money of course.
Great article. So important. I confirm that One Drive is totally invasive : Desktop items also get shifted. I made the mistake of not being aware that O.D was doing what Leo explains. I reacted to a message from MS stating, 'One Drive almost full...react, upgrade'. So I had the instantaneous idea of clearing out O.D by suppressing a lot of items I believed I already had in my local/native/offline workspace. I didn't see the point of having doublons filling up my O.D. Next day I open up my PC and Waooow, my Desktop and all items I had placed there were gone. An empty Desktop. I spent days trying to fathom what had happened with massive research. I finally gathered that One Drive was the culprit. I also learned that removing O.D from the PC in an act of anger is only effective until the next MS update....it is smart enough (A.I driven) to detect and reinstall the darn thing. The only option we are left with is indeed deactivating sync. And constantly checking it is off. Then check what's in the O.D folder locally (in your PC). Leo forgot to inform us in this. Otherwise, bless him for his instructive and very weii edited videos
Because they are preliminarily creating the architecture to where your entire computer activity is controlled by a central source. They will be able to find out all your information, materials, etc, to create a snapshot of you, and if you are doing something that the central source disapproves, they will flag you for further action. It must be emphasized that there will be NO LIMIT as to how the central source responds to interact with you in line with their disapproval. Yes, you can imagine the worst if you like, because to be blunt: THAT IS THEIR GOAL.
yes by forcing unsuspecting people to buy Microsoft 365
The issue of Backup turning on and starting immediately when you open settings/backup has been vastly improved in Window 11 recently so that it never goes on but itself and explains exactly what is happening when you go into the Backup settings. Great explanation, best I have seen. Thanks.
A masterful explanation. I turned on One Drive backup and was shocked to find what it does. I'm working thru it, but I appreciate your take on it. Now I know how to turn it off and move the files where I want.
Thank you soooo much for explaining this in such great detail and showing the outcomes of what happens when you do XYZ. I've been searching for months how to get this evasive feature of One Drive turned off with no solid solutions that stick. I did not purchase MS 365. I purchased Windows 11 Pro over a year ago. And at one point it pushed me into MS 365 and everything into cloud back in Nov 2022 during one of their lovely updates. Then my own programs on Windows 11 Pro stopped working, because MS 365 was forcing me to purchase a subscription to something I already own, to access my files now in the cloud. It's been a total nightmare. Thank you for the great work you do. Much appreciated.
Finally, a clear explanation of what has been going on with my OneDrive. I had been trying to figure it out for a long time. Thank you.
Leo you're the king of explaining Microsoft items and apps. Thanks for all your hard work.
Thank you Leo, you have done a fantastic job in explaining this confusing system.
A client had O365 E3 and they wanted all laptop users to migrate to OneDrive and that's when I discovered what you just described.
Imagine the confusion among users with the mirror option so the decision was to enable OneDrive Backup for the following reasons:
1. O365 E3 offered 1TB storage.
2. Maximum storage per laptop was 500GB.
3. It's enterprise data so there was no requirement to stop OneDrive backup.
Thanks again.
Firstly, kudos for an extremely well done description of how exactly this all works. Even though I'm an old vet at this, never realized the backup option moved the files over. And it explains why my laptop defaults to cloud documents. I do disagree that it's broken. It operates as one would expect other than the non-moving of files back to where they came from once you shut off the backup. As a programmer, I understand just how onerous a task that would be, and full of pitfalls. I can see why they avoided it.
I do agree they really should have put up some messages detailing on moving the files to the cloud folder, and explained that users might want to move files back to the local documents folder.
It also helps to sell OneDrive storage space beyond the free 5 GB you're given. Good, good. Speaking as a MSFT shareholder ;)
What an excellent explanation and demo. I was confused with what's been going on with my files but now it's crystal clear, thanks a lot Leo ! Subbed
Thank you a lot, Leo!! I realized too late that my new PC were storing files in the wrong place. You helped me get all those files back onto my local PC.
Thank you so much Leo, I thought I knew where I was up to, but after a minor problem with my PC, I reset the PC, safe in the knowledge my Manual Backup would be preserved, as would my Offline Backup, but the One Drive was a little hazy. Then I found the 1 TB HDD that I bought to speed up the PC, was so topped out with files from my One Drive, I had to really think, how did I de-link it before???? This description is very comprehensive. I work as a Technical Analyst Myself, so I know how tricky explaining complex tech can be and you have de-mystified it for me and (Probably millions ) of other people.
I'll be subscribing to your site, in the hopes of some other golden nuggets of information 🙂
Thanks Leo, this is helpful information for understanding and using OneDrive. I have used OneDrive for years, but not with Backup turned on. I prefer to work in my local Documents folder and move things to the OneDrive folder for manual upload/backup. To facilitate this, I made a custom right click "Send to" link. I have different OneDrive folders, so I simply made corresponding right click "Send To" links pointing to each of the OneDrive folders I want to use. When I finish work at the end of the day, I right click the file I want to back up, and "Send To" to the OneDrive folder I want to use. It uploads to the cloud in the same folder structure. This may not work for everyone, but I've used this method for so long that it's second nature to me to back up, manually, at the end of the day. Thanks for the video!
Hi, sorry finding this so late. And I want to say something for your information. The 'send to' action is completely useless. If you would lose your account you would lose that also. If you don't use sent to and your computer brakes down, just logon your account with whatever repair or new, all your files are there to copy them back eventually. Or start over from your other bu option. Back to normal, so just syncing, you missed up your file, go to OneDrive and get the version you like most copied to your drive and work from there again. They don't tell you, but never backup. Forget the word ever exist.(;wink;) OneDrive does it in ways you can't imagine. Happy syncing!
Not missed up>>>messed up😊
Leo, great explanation of a complex topic. I suspect if you have multiple computers logged into the same MS account and OneDrive Backup enabled on them things can get even more complex - but my head hurts trying to think about it.
If you use multiple computers with OneDrive backup turned on, all files in documents, desktop, and pictures are replicated to ALL your PCs. In my case, I had it turned on on one computer at work, but my company IT turned it on for all computers one day. All 3 computers had a lot of different files on them and not a huge amount of free space. Suddenly, I got warnings about disk space and found that my C drive only had a few hundred megabytes left and it was dropping! I spent a couple hours scrambling to move files back to the c:\users\my.account\documents folder. I moved all my really old files back and only left my current work in the OneDrive folder for backup. That solved my space problem on my C drives on all 3 computers, but there still are issues. My company automatically creates a certain shortcut on everyone's desktop when you log on. It always has the same name. OneDrive doesn't see them as the same, so it creates the shortcuts with numbers added at the end every time I logon. If I don't cleanup, I end up with a hundred or more of these shortcuts on the desktop of all 3 computers. It makes it really difficult to find other shortcuts buried among all the duplicated company shortcuts.
Very helpful. I knew that I wasn't on top of the OneDrive backup but didn't have time to try to work it out. You have clarified everything. Thank you!
Thank you Leo. It explains brilliantly why I lost my files when I started using OneDrive back up. THankfully I had a hard drive backup.
I've been struggling with file locations, versions, and One Drive on several Windows machines at home. This clarified how it all works so now I can make a conscious decision on how to manage files and where to find them exactly. Thank you!
I've been reading Leo's articles for many years. His explanations are always clear, easily understood.
Very useful. Also may help to rename the 'native' Documents folder on your PC. Plus, before turning off backup, drag a copy of the Onedrive folder to your PC or external drive.
OMG! That EXPLAINS IT!!! I was so confused with all the multiple seeming duplicate folders and even though I can see where they are by looking at the file properties, It seems like I'm still having problems locating the stupid files. I'm just going to turn it off and manage myself, which is what I've always done before anyway. This causes too much confusion. Thank you for your great explanation on how it works!!
Thanks so much Leo. Been totally confused over this mainly because at work, all our computers appear to have one drive backup on by default, and default saves in all our MS Office programes have been to the one drive folder. Now I finally have some idea what is going on and can check it out with our IT guy. Primo
Thank you so much. I was very confused by this and couldn't find what I thought I had. Now I've turned off synch and moved everything back to local. Thanks again.
Thanks Leo, very clear explanation. I indeed was totally confused with my work laptop when I tried to stop backing up my personal files and and folders on corporate onedrive and instead use for them a separate personal backup service with e-drive that is also much more simple to manage and navigate.
There is a far much simpler solution that I recommend, which is to create your own version of the "local" documents folder for anything that you want to store offline. Then you can use the OneDrive Documents, Photos, and Desktop folders for syncing files into the cloud (and more importantly, multiple computers). Any large or private files should go into the local folder directory structure that you have organised yourself.
Most applications will automatically put files and folders into your default "Documents" folder so it can get real messy pretty fast, so having a space that you organise yourself can keep things cleaner and well organised.
I clicked on this video because I always backup my PC. Mostly to one hard disk. However you are talking about Microsoft One Drive, which I have always avoided because I do want my personal files to be floating around in the cloud. I just did a re-install of windows on my laptop and One Drive started popping up all over again. So glad I watched this!! You explained it very well. I understand it perfectly!. I am now a subscriber to your channel. I can't wait to go through all of your previous videos and also see what you have coming! Thanks Leo!
I didn’t realise OneDrive backup did this - got it now, backup is off! Thanks Leo
Thanks Leo. You just saved me a day of waiting for my files to upload because I thought I’d lost them. Ended up buying more storage on one drive so I didn’t lose anything. Learnt a lot. Thank you.😊
Great explanations,slowly, clearly, i was seeking for these information for long time. Brilliant!
Thank you soooo much for the confusion I had trying to find files that have disappeared. Best teacher ever!!!!!
This information is so-o valuable. Thank you. I've been extremely concerned about so many 'identical' folders that my confusion inhibited good data management. Thank you, again.
Thanks for the easy-to-understand explanation Leo. I've just purchased a new laptop, turned on OneDrive backup then spent an hour trying to work out what the heck was going on. I got there in the end but your explanation has confirmed my understanding. I'm even more tempted to turn automatic backup off and do it manually, partly because MS will inevitably make future changes and cause further confusion. I'll just manage my native and OneDrive documents folder personally and know what's going on. Thanks again!
Excellent explanation, wish I'd seen it earlier. I have spent a huge amount of time trying to untangle the mess that onedrive made of my new laptop.
Thanks Leo, very well explained. I now have much more understanding of what was a mysterious black box to me. Also, the pace of your delivery is spot on. Excellent.
Thanks Leo, you have finally given me the awswer to where 4000 of my photos went after I changed the back up settings in my Samsung Gallery aka (OneDrive). I didn't know there was a difference between backup and mirror and I found out the hard way. You're very kind to at least explain what has happened and I thank you.
Thank you for a clear and well presented video. I was told that my 5Gb limit had been reached, and I spent hours yesterday evening deleting photos one at a time (I don't know how to to delete them all at once) . And today they were all back! Now I've learnt to stop back up, I don't get nagged any more to buy storage. Cheers!
Thank you Leo for your advice on this matter. I like your clarity. It has helped me with my workflow. Top man.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This is he best explanation of how OneDrive works that I've ever seen. Apparently my PC when new was setup to Backup files. Fast forward and I started having problems with OneDrive and thought all of my "real" docs were gone. I've spent several days trying to figure out what in the heck was going on and copying all of my data files to an external hard drive. In less than 30 minutes watcing this video I now understand what was going on.
Thanks much Leo for explaining it very well it’s crystal clear. One drive messed up my folders and files got stuck into it looking where my files had been. So confusing the paths I used to see in my local drive were in disarray and just wanted them all back.
I"m so glad I found this video! I no longer get emails to my hotmail and I figured out why. Now, I just have to undo all of the backups and get the files back to where they belong!
A clear and easy to understand explanation of the One Drive process. Very easy to follow, thanks to your teaching skills. Thanks, Leo!
thank you so much for this video. The exact thing happened to me. I "lost" all my files. Then when I tried to put them back on my computer they got all screwed up. Luckily I had backed up most things to my external hard drive. I had to re-format my brand new laptop. The I-T guy at my job helped me "uninstall" OneDrive. I was so upset I could not sleep for a week. Your description was spot on and makes me realize I wasn't crazy!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain how OneDrive actually functions. I have now sorted out my filing system properly based on your instructions. All is working well. Thanks😊😊😊
The best explanation I've seen regarding OneDrive backup! Nice job, Leo!
Thank you for this, I work as as an IT Engineer and I have seen these problems first hand
Hallelujah Leo. You are my newest HERO. Confused? you betcha, but I will become a monk in silence and watch this video at least 3 more times and read the doc. WOW. You are the ONLY person so far to admit how confusing ONE DRIVE and One Drive Backup and all the rest of the nonsense is. Thank you, fine Sir!
This is such an excellent explanation. I was totally confused by what OneDrive backup was doing to my files and you made it very clear. Good job ... thank you!
I came across this "useful feature" when I bought a new Win10 laptop a couple of years ago. I created a shortcut called "Documents on PC" to stop me getting confused! Thanks Leo for the very clear explanation.
Excellent, excellent video. I had been wondering about what was happening to how my files were organized and your video explained it fully for me.
This was a fabulous video--well put together, and clear. It finally cleared up a new of issues and questions I had about OneDrive--and definitely kept me from turning on OneDrive backup!!!
Beautifully explained, Leo.
I'd figured most of it out myself during a fun evening after I'd turned on OneDrive's backup feature and then couldn't open my Outlook because it couldn't find my Outlok.pst file.
You gusessed it. The Outlook folder is embedded within the Documents folder which OneDribe backup had moved. You'd think Microfoft's OnedDrive would tell Microsoft's Outlook where it had moved the folder, but no...
Excellent video Leo! You are so right on all of your comments especially how confusing this One Drive nonsense is. I’ve been working with computers for over 40 years, thus have a lot of experience in the field, and this new automatic Microsoft set-up had me chasing my tail wondering just where the hell my files really are - especially when I started exploring Windows 11. I finally figured it out, and only wish I had seen your video earlier. You did a magnificent job. Now, don’t be surprised if someday there is a class action lawsuit against Microsoft for doping users into unwittingly having their documents in the cloud for any hacker to access. Too bad we can’t impeach Bill Gates for high crimes and misdemeanors. Thanks again.
LEO!!
I had a thought of knowing what i was doing?>
then realise ms is a headache.
you explained it perfect.
thank you for the content
Where have you been all my life? Great stuff. It's even more confusing with OneNote notebooks. Those folders are in the mix too.
This is the video I have been waiting for. Thank you so much for explaining this. I'll be managing my docs my self.
Leo your videos are amazing. You resolved all my One Drive issues in a very well spoken video. Thank you Sir !!!!
Wow! Thank you so much for explaining this. I was puzzled and confused for years. Now at lease I have an understanding of what is happening.
Excellent video and very clear explanation of what is going on with OneDrive. Thanks Leo!
It's good for people to get an understanding of what is going on. Since I frequently use my desktop and a laptop as well, I like OneDrive because it keeps some files that I use and update regularly on both computers in sync. I do not use the backup function as it gets too intrusive (as you explain) and if you know to use the OneDrive folder for things you want on the cloud, it is not necessary. For backup, I have a couple of SSD's that I plug in externally to backup large folders that I don't want at risk.
Thank you for making this clear. II also have a three document folders the native Documents, OneDrive Documents and a third labelled my name. I unlinked OneDrive and activated the navigation tree (using a CZcams), so I could see if folders had subfolders. I was in such a mess I had to double check I was saving in the correct folder. I think Microsoft also saves the location the Thunderbird folder in two places because I deleted it, before re-installing Thunderbird, but it installed as previously., without having pasted it back! Thank you also for those red arrows - I have so much trouble finding the changes in some CZcamss.🥰
Thank you so much!!! I was so totally confused & frustrated with OneDrive on my new laptop that I unlinked it from my account because I couldn't figure out what else to do (was that bad?). After doing that I couldn't understand why my documents didn't appear back on the hard drive, so I went to the OneDrive site & couldn't move them from there to my hard drive. I was pulling my hair out. Now I understand thanks to your excellent explanation of how it works!! Thank you Leo!!!
Unfortunately I learned this lesson the hard way. It's incredibly intrusive. Thank you Leo.
Thank you Leo for making OneDrive super clear, your video was a huge help : )
I don't even use the Documents folder. I've never seen the value of piling all of the documents on my computer into a single Windows-created folder, regardless of their content or purpose. My document files are stored in folders created by me -- folders that are named and organized in way that makes sense to me. For example, my resume is stored in a subfolder of my Job Search folder.
But then thats not the point. This is about how confusing their default setting is.
Like you, I don't use any Windows-created folders (other than Desktop folder, of course). All the more reason to just use my own folders.
Well done for this. I have been confusing myself for a long time with how this all fits together. I still have some Apps which appear to be writing directly to my "native" (/documents) folder as they appear to have created folders in there which are (obviously) not getting backed up. Most day-to-day users are not going to be aware/bothered by any of this.... you'd think a company with the resources of Microsoft could actually do this more sensbily ! 🙄🤷♂
I've been looking for this kind of explanation for a long time. Thanks !
Leo, thank you SO much for the information. This really saved my hide and cleared up a lot of confusion. Thanks for all you do!!!
Great Video!!!!
I spend hours explaining to trainees how to use OneDrive as part of programming trainings. OneDrive frequently does damage because through its backup fault (not a feature), and unsuspecting users often repeat the mistake of turning it on again.
Sometime files are lost permanently, when you "unlink this PC" and start using Onedrive from another account on the same machine (like when the irreparable bug occurs that causes the "Start" Button stopped working!). I wish there were a way to recover the lost files, but Microsoft Technical Support does not have (or does not provide) a way to restore files that have the dreaded "X" icon on them. Anyway, thanks for the videos on OneDrive. Very helpful.
Thank you, Leo. After watching your video I could say that now I understand One Drive. I will read your document to complement and consolidate the intricacy and mystery of using One Drive.
Thank you, thank you, Leo. I have spent countless hours trying to figure this out to the point of absolutely wanting to separate myself from Microsoft period! You have helped me tremendously.
Excellent explanation! As a long time user through many iterations of SkyDrive, One Drive, etc.., Microsoft's constant rebranding (before ultimately dropping) of products and functionality is a constant challenge. I have half a dozen personal accounts and several work accounts, and figuring out where to look for things is always a challenge. Forget about sharing them with team members when they are spread all over, There needs to be a way to consolidate them. These accounts were started at different times, different OS's and different iterations of OneDrive. You;ve given me a clue as to how to decipher them. Thanks so much!
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your video explaining the OneDrive issue. That helped me a lot. Also, in English that is clear, concise, well-organized, and easy to understand for those of us who are foreigners. Thanks a lot 🙏
Excellent coverage of a dicey subject. Appreciate this video very much.
Leo, thank you you did an excellent job helping me with my decision and how I will manage my documents
This is a terrific explanation of OneDrive and OneDrive Backup! I seldom take the time to comment but I have been confused by this for a long time, and especially by Microsoft's insistence to turn Backup on, so that my newfound understanding deserves more than just a thumbs up. If you want to understand where your files are stored--and how they might "disappear" by accident--this video will probably answer your questions. It did for me. Thanks
Hi Leo - fantastic video and just what I was looking for - and you cleared up the doubt I was having in terms of my own preference of managing 'native' Documents separately to OneDrive Documents.
I do believe there are certain situations / arguments for using the BACKUP functionality (e.g. for basic / low volume users who can rest assured that their files are being backed up automatically) but the key point is that you have highlighted the downsides of 'watch outs' for such an approach.
Great Job! Thank you.
There is a very simple way to get around all of this mess.
1) Create 2 folders in your user folder:
Documents Storage
Pictures Storage
2) Move the contents of Documents and Pictures to the storage folders.
3) Drag-and-drop shortcuts to the 2 storage folders into the proper "real" folders.
Your files will be safe on your local drive and all that will be in Onedrive are 2 tiny shortcut files; one inside Pictues and one inside Documents. Problems solved.
Cons: Now it takes 2 clicks to get to the files.
You must remember to manually drag new stuff into the storage folders.
Pros: Onedrive can't touch your important files anymore.
Screw Onedrive!
I'm not disagreeing about creating new folders that the OS doesn't expect, but I take it one step further away.
I create a folder in root, completely out of %userprofile% -
That becomes a branch for most files. In my case probably 98% of my work is saved there, and not in the profile.
Maybe the most important reason is since most admin type folk have at least two accounts on a PC, an admin account and a regular account.- Because of file and folder rights, having a document branch out of the \users branch allows a document or file exchange between accounts that's not possible between profiles.
When something goes wrong in a user's profile it can be documented and read by the admin account to fix. Lots of times only one profile is broken and the problem can't be recreated logged on as another user.
Frankly I have several users for specific purposes and general troubleshooting.
For instance I have an iPhone and it would drive me nuts to have iTunes become the default for some important file types and having to fix it after every update. Nevermind how iTunes updates the tags on songs without being asked.
The %USERPROFILE% branch has important qualities, i.e. both the well thought out folder and file permissions and encryption come to mind, but those same qualities can interfere with operations and in the case of encryption can lead to data loss.
A few drops of coffee hit the edge of my laptop's touch pad and killed the whole thing. The hard drive was fine. The files under \user were encrypted but getting the ones in the alternate location were easy to access.
For someone reading this who doesn't know what %userprofile% is, open a CMD prompt and use the command `set %userprofile%` - the path to your profile will be displayed
@@cowboybob7093 OK, that will work too and is a good idea. The goal is that there is nothing in Onedrive that you care about IE: only a few shortcuts. and Onedrive can hijack them if it wants to. If Onedrive goes kablooey, you haven't lost anything of value.
Oh, about encryption. If you need to get at the files in a user profile, boot up a live LInux and log in as "root"*. To Linux, a Windows drive is just data; nothing more. I cant count how many times I have rescued files from a borked unbootable Windows drive that way. To Linux, it's all just data files.
* I'd recommend FossaPup. Being a Puppy Linux, it boots up QUICKLY, resides 100% in RAM, and the default user is Root.
To the Linux People: This is fine. Puppy is meant to be a personal Linux that you carry around and boot/run from a on a thumbdrive and is your private pet, so being "root" is just fine and SO much easier.
Thanks for posting this video Leo! This really helped me understand what is going on with OneDrive.
Great video, very helpful, now I understand what was so confusing
Yes, I was very confused. Especially since OneDrive and OneDrive backup was running since I first brought up this PC, and nothing in that first startup explained what would be going on and what the different doc folders were all about. And I had watched four other YT videos about OneDrive but was still confused. Only after watching your/this video could I understand. I don't like how it works, but at least I understand what's going on. Thank you!
This was the most helpful video on CZcams this year. Sneaky MS!
Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for in relation to a new Windows 11 Pro laptop just purchased. You described perfectly what happened with the MS OneDrive default for files.
Very precise and to the point. Thanks Leo.
Thank you Thank You Thank You!!! This is the best explanations I have come across as to why I am so frustrated with OneDrive. I am still confused about how to fix the issues I am having but I will listen to this again and see if I can figure it out.
Thanks for putting this out. Everytime I install Windows the 1st thing I do is Disable One Drive, then I uninstall it, then I delete it's folder off my system. I like to be in control and not have my stuff out in the cloud !
You are a blessing to the world! Thank you for this video. OneDrive Backup option is invasive, confusing, and insidious.