Documents folder contains other important folders and isn't supported for file backup issue

Hi Alaishac. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

You said you moved the User folders from OneDrive, but if they had been moved into OneDrive using Folder Protection backup, then that needed to be disabled before they were moved to D using the normal method to move User folders to another drive here:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-move-default...

This would be the explanation for why you're getting the strange OneDrive error about Documents folder. It is likely still under Folder Protection which moves it into OneDrive folder, and also moved using Location Tab from there.

I would back up those folders and disable Folder Protection in OneDrive. It most likely won't do anything except help OneDrive settle with itself. If it moves them anywhere it will be back to default location. You can then move them to D.

A useful tool to bookmark is this thread which is how to restore User folders to default location by whatever means necessary if they disappear or get derailed, I give it out in forums almost every day:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/23504-resto...

Report back results for each step so I know what else to suggest.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Your second screenshot shows that Pictures is selected in Folder Protection to back up to OneDrive.

I'm not sure what was done that have caused the error on Desktop and Documents, possibly moving their location before removing the from Folder Protection. There are some suggestions about the cause of this error here:

https://www.junknet.net/2021/02/25/onedrive-the...

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2272813-...

Make sure Documents and Desktop folders are in their correct locations by the methods here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/23504-resto...

Then make sure no folders inside either folder are being redirected from elsewhere. Did you move s shell User folder into Documents folder? These will be identified by the shell User icon (document, download arrow, picture, music note) on the folder itself and a Location Tab on the Properties box, where it is moved or restored to default location.

Report back results for each step so I know what else to suggest.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hi! Thank you for the response. So I ended up doing a lot of changes since creating this post. I ended up backing up my entire system and I reformatted my D drive (due to another problem with accidently changing my drive to a dynamic disk in disk management). I then rebuilt my libraries by restoring from my backup drive and then assigned the necessary folders as default locations for Documents, Downloads, etc.

While doing all of that extra stuff, I did end up signing out of one drive during this process. When I signed out of one drive I finished all of the file restoration stuff and signed back in. I also made sure not to choose to sync any of my library folders when I initially signed in. (first screen shot)

But now the problem is showing for both Documents and Desktop. My one drive is set up in a way that it only syncs a specific folder on my computer that I specify as "Synced Files", basically for stuff that I want to have access to on multiple computers.

If I chose not to sync those folders upon signing in, I shouldn't have this issue, based on my understanding of your explanation. I did not choose to back up those folders to one drive, but maybe I am not understanding what folder protection is outside of selecting the folders for backing up.

Independent of this issue, everything is working just fine and there are no issues with the regular functionalities, esp if I never paid attention to the error message. Just a super weird thing that I ran into.

During the initial post, only the documents folder was in red. But this is my one drive settings. Let me know what you think!

-Alaisha