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How can I backup everything on my Windows laptop to OneDrive except photos. I need to keep them in iCloud.

Anonymous
2023-12-01T18:51:42+00:00

I currently use my iPhones to take pictures and have photos saved in iCloud so I can see them on numerous devices, namely another 2 other iPhones & my PC. I now have an iPad and can see all my pictures on it. However, I want to back-up my Documents on OneDrive so I can access them on other computers, etc. via my Microsoft 365 account. OneDrive wants me to remove iCloud before it will sync ANYTHING & back it up. It will not allow me to back-up my Documents. Why not?

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

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-03T16:50:54+00:00

    Hello.

    Yes, you will need to download and install the OneDrive app on your computer to sync your files. This requirement applies regardless of whether you have a personal or business account.

    Typically, the OneDrive app is configured during the Windows installation process. If you skipped this step, manual synchronization setup is necessary.

    As for your Office 365 subscription, it's indeed beneficial, but the key factor for file syncing is the OneDrive app. Having a personal or business account determines the features available to you, but both require the OneDrive app for effective synchronization.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-01T22:16:15+00:00

    Hello, how are you doing?

    Welcome to the Microsoft community!

    I'm glad to be able to assist you at this time.

    --

    OneDrive prompts you to remove iCloud before syncing and backing up because it aims to be the primary cloud storage provider for your device.

    Having multiple active cloud storage providers can lead to conflicts and complicate file management. OneDrive seeks to avoid such issues by requesting the removal of iCloud before initiating the sync of your files.

    If you want to back up your Documents to OneDrive and keep your photos in iCloud, you can choose OneDrive as the default cloud storage provider for your device and sync the desired files. This will allow you to back up your Documents to OneDrive without affecting your iCloud photos.

    How to sync files with OneDrive in Windows:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sync...

    Subsequently, you can manually transfer your photos from iCloud to OneDrive if desired.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-02T16:45:02+00:00

    So do I need to download the OneDrive Sync App? I thought having an Office 365 subscription would suffice. Is it because I have a personal account and not a business account?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-02T16:42:36+00:00

    Sorry - I consider saving something in the cloud as backing it up. The only thing being synced and saved on my OneDrive is my OneNote Notebooks. Nothing else is in that folder unless I specifically put it there manually. My whole laptop is backed up in iCloud, but I now have an iPad and would like to be able to access all my documents & have it synced with my Windows laptop. I also need to be able to access my Documents from my brothers computer when I am occasionally working in his office.

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-12-01T18:53:28+00:00

    OneDrive is not a backup, it’s a cloud location of your data.

    The default installation of Office 365 and its OneDrive component uploads all the contents of the PC  \My Documents\ folders to OneDrive, (syncs) and there will be a OneDrive folder in File Explorer containing cached copy of all the OneDrive content. And in Word etc the default Save location is set to OneDrive.

    No Docs/data is stored on the local PC

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