My Windows 11 version of OneNote on my desktop computer is saving some notebooks locally, instead of the cloud. How do I fix this

Question

My Windows 11 version of OneNote on my desktop computer is saving some notebooks locally, instead of the cloud as my phone and laptop does. I can't find a straight-forward way to fix this problem. I have considered deleting OneNote from my desktop and reinstalling, but don't want to lose any data.. please help

Answer 1

You should have read my replies, especially

Bernd

Answer 2

Seun--

Thank you for your response. However, I'm not any closer to fixing the problem.

In relaying my issue, I should have been more specific that the mobile and laptop versions of OneNote are the most valid. While the Desktop version may have files that are not on the other devices that store notebooks in the cloud, my main objective is to make the Desktop version "behave" as the laptop and mobile do currently.

Therefore #1 and #2 are not applicable to my case.

3. Change Default Save Location: - In OneNote, click "File" > "Options" > "Save & Backup" - Under the "Save" section, change the "Default Notebook Location" to your OneDrive folder. - This will ensure any new notebooks are saved directly to the cloud.

I can see the OneNote notebooks on my Desktop PC. In File Explorer > OneDrive > Documents, the files for each notebook are there. However, on my OneNote application, I am unable to change the Default Notebook Location as

the files are not visible when viewing the OneDrive > Documents directory from within the OneNote program.

4. Check OneDrive Sync Settings: - Open the OneDrive app and click "Help & Settings" > "Settings" - Under the "Settings" tab, make sure the "Automatically save to OneDrive folder" is enabled. - Also, check that OneNote notebooks are in synced files/folders.

Relates to my response to #3 above. OneDrive is syncing just fine on all devices, the OneNote Notebook files are just not visible from within OneNote on the Desktop Version only. The Desktop Version is storing/reading Notebooks from my C: drive.

**** 5. Repair OneNote Installation: - In the Start menu, search "Control Panel" and open it. - Navigate to "Programs" > "Programs and Features" - Find "Microsoft Office" or "Microsoft OneNote" in the list, right-click and select "Change" - In the installer window, select "Repair" and follow the prompts.

I have Office 2019 pro installed on my desktop, and have no intent of migrating to Office 365. When the online repair in Control Panel to the OneNote Program was complete, Microsoft made me re-register my Office Suite via Product Key.

My 2019 Pro Office was also listed as a program in Control Panel. When I performed an online repair, I had to re-register Office again.

If these steps don't work, as a last resort, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling OneNote.

I hesitate to uninstall OneNote, as the dialog during the repair/uninstall reflects that the entire Office Suite is being uninstalled. It's a pain for me to retain my 2019 Office install, as I believe Microsoft will install portions of 365 on my local drive, which makes it difficult to download and install 2019 pro again.

If you can certify that I won't have problems with retaining Office 2019 Pro in the process, then I would be more likely to perform this step, as I feel it could resolve the problem.

Could the OneNote Notebooks on the desktop C: drive be deleted, forcing the Desktop Program to ask for locations upon opening?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Bob

Answer 3

ad #2:

This is not the usual way to move local notebooks to OneDrive because it uses an undocumented emergency feature to convert local notebooks to OneDrive notebooks. The usual way is File -> Share.

ad #3:

This is a bad idea for the same reason. This setting is originally meant only for local notebooks.

ad #4:

This is nonsense because OneNote doesn't use OneDrive's sync feature, it uses its own.

Bernd

Answer 4

YOU decide where your notebooks are stored, not OneNote.

In File -> New you have the choice where to store.

Bernd

Answer 5

Hello Bob,

My name is Seun and I'm happy to help

Here are some steps you can try to fix the issue of OneNote saving notebooks locally on your Windows 11 desktop instead of the cloud:

1. Check OneNote Sync Status:
   • Open OneNote > File > "Info" button in the top-right corner.
   • Under the "Sync Status" section, it should show which notebooks are synced to the cloud and which ones are local.
2. Move Notebooks to OneDrive:
   • For local notebooks you want to sync, right-click on the notebook name and select "Move/Copy..."
   • In the dialogue box, select "Move notebook" and choose a location under your OneDrive folder.
   • This will move the notebook to your OneDrive, allowing it to sync across devices.
3. Change Default Save Location:
   • In OneNote, click "File" > "Options" > "Save & Backup"
   • Under the "Save" section, change the "Default Notebook Location" to your OneDrive folder.
   • This will ensure any new notebooks are saved directly to the cloud.
4. Check OneDrive Sync Settings:
   • Open the OneDrive app and click "Help & Settings" > "Settings"
   • Under the "Settings" tab, make sure the "Automatically save to OneDrive folder" is enabled.
   • Also, check that OneNote notebooks are in synced files/folders.
5. Repair OneNote Installation:
   • In the Start menu, search "Control Panel" and open it.
   • Navigate to "Programs" > "Programs and Features"
   • Find "Microsoft Office" or "Microsoft OneNote" in the list, right-click and select "Change"
   • In the installer window, select "Repair" and follow the prompts.

If these steps don't work, as a last resort, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling OneNote. But before that, back up any important local notebooks by copying them to another location like OneDrive or a USB drive.

The key is to ensure OneNote is configured to save new notebooks to your OneDrive folder by default and move any existing local notebooks you need to the cloud location. This should sync them across all your devices.

Best Regard

Seun