Why does Runtime Broker download all my always online files from OneDrive?

Pownas 51 Reputation points
2020-08-27T10:42:26.12+00:00

I have alot of always Online files on my computer from OneDrive.
But suddently Windows Runtime Broker started to download all of my files from OneDrive to make a index of them, but now my harddrive are filled with files I just want on my OneDrive and not locally on my computer.

Is this some kind of bug in Windows 10 v1909?

OneDrive Management
OneDrive Management
OneDrive: A Microsoft file hosting and synchronization service.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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  1. Adalberto Hernandez Vega 36 Reputation points
    2021-06-20T05:40:36.34+00:00

    I noticed the issue started to happen right after I changed a setting in File Explorer: Settings - Search (Tab) - under: "When searching non-indexed locations" - Uncheck: "Always search the filenames and contents..." Apply and OK.

    That totally makes sense, because in order to include in search any file contents from a OneDrive folder, it needs have it locally to index it, otherwise it only needs the file name.

    Hopefully reverting that will make Runtime Broker stop downloading OneDrive stuff.

    107239-image.png

    7 people found this answer helpful.
  2. Glen Coaten 21 Reputation points
    2020-11-12T14:23:14.87+00:00

    Hi, I also have the same issue. I free up space on my PC using the "Files on Demand" "Free up Space" options and then a few hours later, Runtime Broker kicks in and downloads all files in my Pictures folder. All other content remains "on demand", but all files in the Pictures folder are downloaded. This is very annoying, please help.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. askandlearn 11 Reputation points
    2020-11-06T03:29:55.23+00:00

    Hi Sylvia, I am having the same issue.

    Runtime Broker is always downloading my pictures and movies, slowing down my internet.

    I put my Onedrive settings to 'Files on demand' so the files should only be downloaded when I use them. Why is this happening?

    This issue began a few months ago, and is very annoying. The only workaround now is to not sync my pictures folder (which means I can't access pictures using the photos app), or to pause syncing, which is also not good.

    Please help.

    Thanks!

    2 people found this answer helpful.
  4. Glen Coaten 21 Reputation points
    2020-11-13T07:00:39.983+00:00

    I think I may have found the cause and solution. The folder is being interrogated by apps running in the background, in my case Sony Media Check Tool (which I disabled from Startup Apps) and Microsoft Photos (which I disabled in Settings/Privacy/Background Apps). As an extra measure, I also removed folder locations from all photo/media related applications, just in case they also try to access / import media upon opening. Whilst it has only been two days since making the changes, the Runtime Broker has not kicked in. Hope this works for you.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Ann K 6 Reputation points
    2021-01-30T20:06:00.783+00:00

    I have the same issue. Unfortunately I don't believe there's an answer apart from removing the Photos app. I've tried various changes but the OneDrive folder with my photos is always added back, after deleting, into Photos -> Settings -> Sources and the downloading begins again! This, I believe, is due to 62216-2021-01-30.png where it says 'The following built-in apps always have access to your picture library: Photos and Camera'.
    I have Windows 10 Home and wonder if the extra controls in Pro would help?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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