Sync Error - Asking if I want to remove or restore the files I moved.

Question

We have files stored in separate sub-folders in a One Drive folder. I will call that folder "Original" here. I am taking 10 sub-folders at a time containing files from that folder "Original" and moving them to the desktop. Once they are on the desktop I am amending the sub-folder name as needed with a tracking number. Then I copy the 10 sub-folders to another One Drive folder. I will call that folder "Updated" here. Next I am going through the 10 sub-folders (which still remain on my desktop as I only "copied" to the "Updated" folder) and scrubbing any confidential files. Once the 10 sub-folders have been scrubbed of confidential files I am moving them to another One Drive folder. I will call that folder "Scrubbed" here.

One Drive is now showing a sync error which says "Remove files from all location? You recently deleted 711 files or moved those files out of your One Drive folder on this device. Do you want to remove them from One Drive and all shared libraries?" And it gives me the option to select a box "Always remove files" or I can select "Remove" or "Restore". If I select "Remove" is it going to only remove them from the folder "Original" or will it also remove them from "Updated" and "Scrubbed"? I can't lose these files as they are required to be kept by government regulations for a certain time period.

I don't want them in "Original" anymore but I don't want to delete them from "Updated" and "Scrubbed". I don't know what to do here.

Answer 1

Dear Rachel Ayscue Wright,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

Based on your description “ I want to remove or restore the files that moved”

May I confirm if the top level OneDrive folders ＂Original＂, ＂Updated＂ and ＂Scrubbed＂are all different SharePoint site collections？

If so, the moving action between these 3 folders will be counted as ＂file copy＂ to new site collection and ＂file deletion＂ on old site collection. At the same time, the deleted files will be moved to site recycle bin on old site.

And about the reminding message＂you recently deleted 711 files...＂, this indicates the files are already deleted from some site. And this message is mainly for reminding. For no matter ＂delete＂ or ＂restore＂, you can have better way to do it after confirming the file status on these 3 sites.

From your description, the file are moved from ＂Original＂ to ＂Updated＂, we assume the files have been deleted from ＂Original＂. And you also moved file from ＂Updated＂ to ＂Scrubbed＂, we assume the files are also deleted from ＂Updated＂.

To further confirm this, you can check it from these 2 methods:

1. Check all the 3 top folders and see which one still contains the subfolders. And please also pay attention to he file ＂sync icon＂ next to the subfolders to see if it is fully synced with online. Fully synced folder or file should have one of the 3 icons: blue cloud icon, green tick icon, solid green tick icon.

What do the OneDrive icons mean? - Microsoft Support

2. Navigate to each of the 3 folder, in blank area, right click mouse and choose ＂view online＂, it will bring you to the online site linked to the folder. Check from online if the subfolders are still there. If not, that could refers files are deleted from the site, and you can go to the site recycle bin to find the files and restore them if needed.

Have a nice day!

Best regards,

Sophia

Answer 2

Hi Sophia,

Please explain what is "different SharePoint site collections"? My knowledge of OneDrive is: it is where we keep our files in the cloud and everyone at work can access it. Other than that I don't know much about how it works.

The sub-folders should be deleted from "Original". Copies need to remain in "Updated" and "Scrubbed".

Answer 3

Dear Rachel Ayscue Wright,

Thank you for your reply.

OneDrive sync App does not only sync your OneDrive site contents, but it is also used to sync "SharePoint site contents". You can refer to these articles to get more information.

Sync SharePoint and Teams files with your computer

Create a site

However, from the error message you provided "Remove files from all location? You recently deleted 711 files or moved those files out of your One Drive folder on this device. Do you want to remove them from One Drive and all shared libraries", it looks more like the files are already deleted from Online. However, data recovery has time limit based on different situation. To reduce any data lost risk, we believe it would be best choice to have the prosessional support team involved as they have higher permission and resources than us and they may help check it deeper from your side.

To get Office 365 support involved, you can contact your office 365 administrator to go to Office 365 Admin Center-> Support-> New Service Request and open a ticket. Related link: Get support for Microsoft 365 for business

Have a nice day!

Best regards,

Sophia