OneDrive overwrote newer files with older versions after syncing an old laptop

I just noticed the same problem happened to me a few days ago. I have two Windows 11 PCs. One desktop, one laptop. I've used OneDrive for many years, even when Windows 10 came out and never had this happen before. For me, it wasn't just one file either, it was every file I updated seemed to get overwritten by an old version on January 8, going back to a January 4th version of the files. I'm actually not even positive that I identified every file that's been overwritten because I have so many files spread across so many folders. This permanently shatters my confidence in OneDrive to protect my data.

I was able to prove from the activity history that it was OneDrive that incorrectly took the old version of the files from one computer and then pushed those overwriting the new version on the other computer. If Microsoft doesn't have an answer and fix to this, I will have to stop using OneDrive, or maybe stop using Windows entirely from now on.

I have the same problem and only use ms. No mac. My laptop that I only use occasionally started uploading older files when I turned it on to do routine updates. It also on its own started downloading windows 11. I shut it down and am not sure what to do next. I was able to restore my files from a backup hard drive I use because I have never totally trusted OneDrive. I don't know what to do at this point. I am thinking about reformatting my laptop. Suggestions?

I think I have similar problem to r_ryan85....think I signed into my Onedrive 365 from an older laptop, and now one of my most used Excel spreadsheets seems to be showing a version from Nov'23 so all work since is missing.....have looked up how to fix and found inx about Restore from previous version....yesterday's would be fine......but when I sign in to 365 and right-click on Excel file in question I don't get the option to Restore or see a box called More.....so cannot access the version I want to restore....what am I doing wrong? Right clicking just gives choices of Open>, Share>, Favorite, Hide, Download, Delete.......!As mentioned, nothing shows More or other options and Settings doesn't show much either. Anyone got any ideas?

Dave B

Hi again, I seem to have sorted my problem now after mailing a few times to Microsoft/OneDrive support teams (they are different...) but not sure it will help you......my files were and are stored on OneDrive so once I was able to find out exactly where, the Restore was actually quite simple as OneDrive saves previous versions of files apparently for 30 days......so this is the timeframe to sort out before losing it. But would seem from your reply that you keep the files locally on the PC/laptop or separate Hard Drive.....so if there is a previous version anywhere, you have it there. Am not sure what happens when you save Updates to a file held locally, whether it just overwrites or holds old versions for a while like OneDrive......would suggest going into Excel and you will probably see a list of your Excel files.....go to file in question and see if you can see 3 dots.....if you click (or right-click) on those, it may give you a list of options which if like OneDrive will show list of choices of which might include Version History.......or you might need to right-click on the Excel file to get the 3 dots, then try as above. When doing it in OneDrive, the Version History produces a list of each time the file was last updated, and assuming it's the latest one required, click on that version and you get option to Restore.....I had to then close down and re-open but the restored file was back! But saving direct to a Hard Drive may not give this option....would then suggest either typing into Google to see what comes up, or trying to find a computer software place that might know more.....good luck whatever! Dave B

Dear r_ryan85,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

We understand that your OneDrive file synchronization old computer version was overwritten.

According to your description, the synchronization of OneDrive files on your windows computer caused the new version synchronized on your Mac to be overwritten. We need to explain to you:

OneDrive synchronization is mainly used to upload files or photos on your device to the cloud for backup to prevent local data loss. It also allows you to access them on any device you have access to.

However, since OneDrive's detection can only determine the difference in versions, if you have a file with the same file name in your Windows system as in your Mac system, and you log in again and turn on synchronization information in your Windows system. It may cause OneDrive to detect version deviation, think that the version that appears in the Windows system is the new version, and resynchronize the file information in the sting.

And, if you log in OneDrive in Windows system, the synchronization of system folders will be enabled: Back up your folders with OneDrive - Microsoft Support

Your guess is correct. It is possible that the new version edited in Mac has not been updated to Windows system, resulting in the failure to identify the new version information.

For your future use and restoration of the historical version of the file, we also recommend that you try the following:

First cancel the folder synchronization information in Windows system to avoid re-detecting the wrong version later:

You can use the OneDrive program settings--Sync and backup--Manage backup--to help you confirm and enable the corresponding folder option information.

When you stop backing up folders, there will be a folder called "Folder Shortcut (OneDrive)" in the folder on your computer. If you do not copy your folders to other places, your file information may be affected. 

Back up your folders with OneDrive - Microsoft Support

Restore file versions in OneDrive:

You can confirm whether all files have been overwritten with historical versions according to your needs, and then select each file individually and restore it through version history. This process is indeed cumbersome, but it can ensure that your files are restored to the correct version.

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can also directly use the Restore OneDrive feature to restore files in OneDrive to any period of time within 30 days.

This feature will restore the entire OneDrive file information, so your other files will also be restored to the historical version.

Restore your OneDrive - Microsoft Support 

Recheck and synchronize information:

After restoring, you can disable folder synchronization in Windows, and then open the file information or download it to overwrite the file version in your Windows local path as needed. This ensures that the synchronized file versions on different devices are consistent.

Then you can restart file synchronization or manually upload and synchronize in Windows and view your files.

You can try the operation, I hope it can help you alleviate the problem information.

If you have updates or other questions, you can reply to us.

Best regards

Zenobia.Z | Microsoft Community Support Specialist