How to keep all data local, and use One Drive as backup only?

Question

New Windows PC came with Windows 11, and apparently One Drive active. I would like to retain all my data local. It appears I have several places where my data is being stored, and not in the file system I originally had prior to the upgrade. It seems as if One Drive has made programmatical decisions for my data file structure, and I can not find some data, and can not break into One Drive.

While I appreciate the convenience and security offered, it does me no good to have my data hidden from me. I do not want OneDrive, Copilot or AI making decisions for me at this level.

How can I find my DATA again, and organize it so I can find it?

Been using Windows from the DOS prompt era. Need help. Thank you.

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Moved from: Microsoft System Center | Other

Answer 1

To keep all your data local and use OneDrive solely as a backup, you can adjust your OneDrive settings and manage your files accordingly. Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Disable OneDrive Sync: You can stop OneDrive from syncing your files automatically. Right-click on the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray, go to Settings, and under the Account tab, click on Unlink this PC. This will stop OneDrive from syncing files to the cloud.
2. Change OneDrive Folder Location: If you want to keep OneDrive installed but not use it for your primary data storage, you can change the location of the OneDrive folder to a different directory or external drive. This way, you can manually move files to OneDrive when you want to back them up.
3. Use File Explorer: To find your data, use File Explorer to navigate to your local folders (like Documents, Pictures, etc.). Ensure that you are looking in the correct directories where your files were originally stored.
4. Organize Your Files: You can create a folder structure that suits your needs in your local storage. Move files from OneDrive back to your local folders if necessary. You can drag and drop files from the OneDrive folder to your local folders in File Explorer.
5. Backup Manually: Once you have organized your files locally, you can manually copy them to OneDrive when you want to back them up, rather than relying on automatic syncing.

By following these steps, you can regain control over your data and ensure that OneDrive is used only as a backup solution, without interfering with your local file structure.

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References:

• OneDrive for work or school
• OneDrive storage overview

Answer 2

Answer for Step One ... Can not find the OneDrive ICON. Could not find an "Unlink Tab". Did find a "turn off" for the One Drive, but came back on the next time I tried to access data.

Not happy with the One Drive option being implemented with my upgrade. My data is scattered and will take me days to get it managed back on my local drive so I can actually find my data.

While I understand the One Drive benefits, the data management by the One Drive defaults is not acceptable. I don't want the One Drive, Co-Pilot or AI making choice for me.

Totally unacceptable situation .... !!!!

End result of the answer remains unacceptable.

Answer 3

Hello, Ron Keogh.

I did this on my PC (after I lost a lot of data due to the "work" of OneDrive):

1. In the OneDrive application settings, I disabled all synchronization and startup of the application itself.
2. In the "Startup" of the Task Manager, I disabled OneDrive autorun. Disabled all OneDrive-related tasks in the Task Scheduler-Scheduler Library.
3. Deleted the OneDrive application from the PC.

After that, I use cloud storage only through the web interface in the browser: https://onedrive.live.com/

Answer 4

Turn off the folder backup at Manage Backup:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/back-up-your-folders-with-onedrive-d61a7930-a6fb-4b95-b28a-6552e77c3057