How do I delete everything that is in the cloud and on the hard drive of this new computer?

Hello MarthaForrest, Welcome to Microsoft Community.I realize that now you have installed OneDrive on your new laptop and enabled its synchronization. You want to delete all files (documents, pictures, programs, etc.) from both the new computer and OneDrive. Then copy the contents of the flash drive to the new computer. When you make changes to these new copied contents on your new computer, you want OneDrive to automatically save the changes and not create duplicate files. I understand how you feel. Please feel free to correct me if my understanding is wrong.

In order to solve this problem, please do the following steps: 

1. Delete files from new laptop and OneDrive.
   • Select the files or folders you want to delete (you can press Ctrl + A to select all) and then click Shift + Delete to delete them permanently.
   • Another Way: Select the files or folders you want to delete, right-click on them and select Delete. Then open the Recycle Bin, right-click on the empty space and select Empty Recycle Bin to delete them permanently.
   • Since you have enabled OneDrive synchronization, files deleted from the new computer should be deleted from OneDrive as well.
2. Check the Recycle Bin.
   • Check the computer Recycle Bin. Make sure it is emptied.
   • Check the OneDrive Recycle Bin. Your deleted files and folders firstly go to the OneDrive recycle bin, and you need to permanently delete files and folders from it. Sign in to the OneDrive website through your browser -> Select Recycle bin in the OneDrive left side navigation -> Select Empty recycle bin in the top navigation.
   • 
3. Check OneDrive synchronization settings.
   • Open OneDrive settings (select the OneDrive cloud icon in your notification area, and then select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon then Settings.)
   • Go to the Account tab.
   • Select Choose folders.
   • In the Choose Folders dialog box, check the folders you want to sync to your computer and select OK.
   For more information, see Choose which OneDrive folders to sync to your computer - Microsoft Support. Selecting only the folders you need to synchronize in the synchronization settings helps avoid synchronizing unnecessary files.
4. Copy files from a USB flash drive to your new computer.
5. The files in the location you selected in step 3 will be automatically synchronized to OneDrive from the new computer. If you want to synchronize other files or folders, use Windows File Explorer to drag them into the OneDrive folder. For more information, see Upload photos and files to OneDrive - Microsoft Support For all files or folders located in OneDrive, the OneDrive Sync feature automatically saves your changes once you make them. Feel free to post back if you need further assistance.Best wishes,Lucia Wu - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Bobhe, thank you for your response.

I apologize for not telling you that, yes, I am using OneDrive.

What I want to do is erase all docs and pics on both the hard drive and in the Cloud. I will then copy my docs and pics from a flash drive, so that both files are up to date.

How can I erase both the Cloud and hard drive files that were automatically loaded from the cloud to my new laptop?

I want OneDrive to automatically save any changes I make in either docs or pics files on the hard drive.

As I mentioned in my first message, OneDrive duplicated every picture (over 1000) in my pics file. I don't want that to happen again, but I don't know how or why it happened, and I don't know how to prevent it.

Cloud synchronization is turned on.

I apprecite any help you can give me.

Martha

Hello MarthaForrest, I appreciate your feedback. I am glad I was able to help, you can use the method I provided whenever it is convenient for you.

If it works when you set up your new laptop, please feel free to mark Yes or No above that contained the solution to make it easier for other customers to find the solution more quickly. Feel free to post back if you need other assistance.Best wishes,Lucia Wu - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hello, MarthaForrest

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

Hello, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It seems that you have encountered some problems in deleting files.

I will answer your question. First of all, can I ask whether the cloud synchronization you use is OneDrive or other third-party software, because different software designs may be different.

Generally speaking, if your computer has turned off cloud synchronization, you can choose to right-click and delete these cloud files, which will only delete local files without losing data in the cloud.

Best regards

Bobhe | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Lucia Wu

Thank you for the very concise, detailed explanation. You answered my questions completely. I feel like I can now set up my new laptop.

Best regards.

Martha Forrest