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My taskbar icons have disappeared and file Explorer doesn't work and apps can't save or read to disk after getting rid of OneDrive

Anonymous
2024-06-12T16:37:22+00:00

I bought a new laptop, going from Win10 to Win11. I don't use OneDrive, so one of the first things I did after getting the PC up and running with apps is Unlink the PC. Then I moved the OneDrive Folder to an external USB drive I use for backups. Then I uninstalled OneDrive. I populated my taskbar with all my app icons and worked with the PC for several days, and it worked fine. Then I went on a short trip and took my laptop with me.

When I booted up the PC at my destination, the taskbar was empty. I accessed apps using the Start Menu. I tried using some apps to complete a job and the apps couldn't open files. I also got a message that the PC couldn't find my old OneDrive folder (that was supposedly unlinked and with OneDrive uninstalled) on the external USB drive. The only visible folders and files in that folder were some of the folders in my Documents folder.

I installed a new app I needed, and the app ran, but it couldn't save to or read from the local drive. I resorted to Google Docs to finish the job.

When I returned to my office and plugged in the USB drive, the taskbar was still empty, so I repopulated with all the icons, but the missing OneDrive message never appeared, and apps could read and write storage. I suspected it has something to do with Windows needing access to the old OneDrive (unlinked/uninstalled) folder, as if there is Windows information in that folder. The only things in that folder are some of the folders in my Documents folder. It's not a full population of the Documents folder. When I turn on show hidden files, I do see a long GUID (.849C9593-D756-4E56-8D6E-42412F2A707B) and a desktop.ini file. For grins, I disconnected the USB drive and restarted the PC. The same problems returned. When I plugged the drive back in and restarted File Explorer, the icons repopulated and apps work.

So, Windows for some reason needs to access the old OneDrive folder on a remote drive, and Windows breaks when it can't. Does it have to do with the file with a GUID? Why would Windows need access to an unlinked OneDrive folder with OneDrive uninstalled. I suspect there's a hidden path setting somewhere that was set with OneDrive and didn't get removed when it was unlinked and uninstalled. It's like Windows updated the link to the folder after all the OneDrive stuff was supposedly stopped.

For now, the laptop is useless because I cannot disconnect the remote drive. Any suggestions to make a quick fix. I would rather not have to reset the PC and reinstall all my apps and documents. Any help is appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-06-12T19:18:28+00:00

    Hello!

    My name is David N., and I am a Community Independent Advisor and Windows fan. I will be happy to assist you with your issue.

    When OneDrive has issues it can sometimes be difficult to get OneDrive to let go of the folders that it has control over. However, here is a method that should work.

    First, reconnect to OneDrive. Follow the instructions here for unlinking all drives except Desktop, Documents, and Pictures: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/choo....

    Next, disable OneDrive using these instructions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn....

    Lastly, use File Explorer to locate your personal files. They will typically be held in folders in C:\Users<your username>. There should be OneDrive, Desktop, Documents, and Pictures in here, among others. Open OneDrive. You should find duplicates of the other three folders here.

    Right-click on each one. Open the Location tab. Choose Defaults. Apply and choose to move.

    This will move all of your files from OneDrive to the default Windows folders. Once complete you should have no further issues with OneDrive and can uninstall it if desired.

    I hope this helps! Please let me know if this resolves your issue or if you require additional assistance.

    Regards,

    David N.

    Community Independent Advisor

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