OneDrive deletes my local files on Non-C Drive without my permission

Question

Since the Windows 7 time, I always set My Documents, My Pictures, My Videos folder to a non-C drive which is usually another physical disk. I have about 300GB files of my years work.

This April, after an update of Windows 11 or OneDrive, I found out my local My Documents, My Pictures and Desktop folder all empty. I lost all my over 300GB data.

And I found out how: you stupid OneDrive removed all my files from my other disk without my permission.

And today it did it again, so I got all the evidences.

1. After an Windows 11 update, OneDrive automatically tries to backup my files in My Documents, My Pictures and Desktop folder. After logging in, I have to manually cancel all these nonsense.

2. I always set My Documents, My Pictures, My Videos folder to Disk/Drive D. Today the My Documents, My Pictures folder are deleted by OneDrive without my permission. My Videos folder are still there.

3. In File Explorer, My Documents, My Pictures, and Desktop folders are all empty except the Shortcut to ...OneDrive shortcut.

Many software rely on local My Documents folder to store config file, saved data, cache, authentication files, etc. I just can't understand why you Microsoft guys working on OneDrive or Microsoft 365 think it's a good idea to remove all local files from these critical folder? I don't even turn [Files On Demand] on in the OneDrive settings.

I have no other words to say. You destroyed my over 300GB data on a non-C drive secondary disk. Now you do it again. Damn you.

Answer 1

This my settings:

C>Users>username>MyDocuments is set to D>Users>username>MyDocuments

C>Users>username>MyPictures is set to C>Users>username>MyPictures

And my Drive D is another physical disk independent to Drive C's physical disk.

Answer 2

Yes. I always set my user folders to another disk since Windows 7. OneDrive deletes it entirely.

Answer 3

I suggest Microsoft 365 Basic for only $19.99/year or $1.99/month for applications that store data in the Windows Standard Folders. Keep the bulk of your data in manila folders that are outside of the Windows Standard Folders.

OneDrive will not touch files in these manila folder locations:

C>Users>username>MyDocuments

C>Users>username>MyPictures

etc.

Cloud Storage Pricing and Plans

Why I Avoid Windows Standard Folders - YouTube

Answer 4

Hi, yes. Going back sometime OneDrive completely messed up my computer. It still is not right and things are not where they should be. I won't bother going into the detail it gets me too angry.

Did you move the Default Document Folder to another Drive? This could be why OneDrive grabbed your documents. You can tell if it is the default folder by Right clicking on it and choosing>Properties> The default folder will have a location tab.