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OneDrive automatically deleting files?

Anonymous
2021-03-13T07:31:12+00:00

Hi all, 

I have a quick question regarding OneDrive. I have it set up on my laptop but these past few days I've been noticing that OneDrive seems to be automatically deleting files whenever I work with them. I use a 3D modelling software, Rhino, and whenever I would save a file, a message from OneDrive would pop up. I've attached a screenshot of the message: 

It seems to suggest that I'm deleting them myself, which isn't the case. At first it would only happen when working with files in that program, but I started seeing that it would happen in other places too. for example, I play a few Steam games, like GTA V, and I also started to see that, whenever I'd exit the game, a game/program file (or what appears to be a game or program file) would be deleted, and this same OneDrive message would appear, but obviously with the game file noted. This would also happen whenever I'd exit/close the Steam application too. 

I don't think I've changed any settings in OneDrive, and I did get a Windows update yesterday, but it's been happening even before that. From what the message says, I guess I could just go into the OneDrive recycle bin and restore all the deleted files, but is there a way to just stop OneDrive from deleting them in the first place? Or stop it from sending them to its' Recycle Bin? I wouldn't want to find out that important work or program files are being moved around, or even deleted.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-05-05T16:47:24+00:00

    I am also having this problem.  I use Office 365 on iMac.    I couldn't find the settings you were referring to?  I am finding files just appearing in the recycling bin having used them or searched for them (and not even opened them).  

    The files aren't syncing or saving to where i want them to, and then next minute they appear in the recycling bin.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-03-13T08:08:34+00:00

    Hi Isaid. I'm Greg, awarded MVP for eleven years, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

    OneDrive may have made changes to Settings without your knowledge, so go over them now to decide if they are what you want:

    If the Folder Protection Backup is chosen in OneDrive Settings > Backup Tab, then the User Documents, Desktop and/or Pictures folders will be moved into the OneDrive folder to sync to OneDrive and (if you want) your other devices. See Folder Protection details here to understand more and make changes if desired:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/116029-turn...

    In addition if you go over the 5gb file limit and don't buy more storage in OneDrive online settings, OneDrive will not sync the files any longer - and this might be the reason it is deleting them, although this would be the first case of this I've seen in forums daily for 12 years.

    Another setting designed for smaller hard drives removes files from the hard drive and stores them only in the cloud if Files On Demand is chosen in OneDrive Settings. This feature is described here:

    https://www.pcworld.com/article/3233488/windows...

    If you don't want Files on Demand then after disabling it, allow it to download all the files back to the hard drive before disabling Backup Folder Protection.

    Also in OneDrive Settings > Settings tab tick the boxes to have OneDrive Warn and Notify you before deleting any files. This is the default behavior unless these boxes are unchecked, and you should always be able to find these files in OneDrive.com online Recycle Bin until you delete them yourself or approve their deletion.

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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