I want a Decent One Drive Backup w/o moving files

Question

I want to back up all the files in my c:\ drive the way it is in one drive, the same way I currently do with file history. As I purchased the 1TB one drive cloud space, I began doing the automatic backups. I realized onedrive moved all my files to another drive "OneDrive - Personal". That screwed up all my links. I uninstalled onedrive and restore all my files from an external drive backup. So, at this point one drive is just a nuisance that cost money and cannot get my money back as i got an annual plan. Is there any way I can use automatic onedrive backups without moving my files from where they are, identically as file history? That will be a nice enhancement that will keep me as a customer. Thank you

Answer 1

Unfortunately that's not possible. It is the case with all cloud drives. The files need to be in OneDrive folder in order for OneDrive to know those are the ones that need to be synced to the cloud.

I've been using OneDrive for years. This is my workaround. I don't use OneDrive's folder backup feature in the settings. I want my own desktop, documents, pictures, etc., to be on my local computer with local paths.

However, I create my own folders in OneDrive folder. And I save my files/folders more intentionally to those folders in OneDrive when I need them backed up. It works well for me this way.

Answer 2

You should get used to having OneDrive in the file paths.

Answer 3

OneDrive cannot currently work exactly like File History. The built‑in OneDrive backup features are designed around syncing specific user folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music) into the OneDrive folder structure, not doing a full, in‑place mirror of the entire C:\ drive without changing paths.

Available options from the provided information:

1. Use OneDrive “PC folder backup” only for standard folders
   • OneDrive can automatically back up standard folders, but this does involve redirecting those folders into the OneDrive location.
   • To manage this:
     1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
     2. Choose Help & Settings > Settings.
     3. Go to Sync and backup.
     4. Select Manage backup.
     5. Turn backup on or off for Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music.
   • This does not back up arbitrary folders across C:\ without involving the OneDrive folder structure.
2. Use Windows Backup with OneDrive for key user folders
   • Windows Backup can sync selected user folders to OneDrive, again limited to the standard profile folders, not the whole C:\ drive.
   • Steps:
     1. Select Start, type Windows Backup, and open it.
     2. Expand Folders.
     3. Toggle Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music to On to back them up to OneDrive.
   • This still does not mirror the entire C:\ drive or preserve all existing paths for every folder.
3. Keep non‑standard data outside the affected folders
   • Only the standard user folders are affected by OneDrive’s automatic backup. Storing other data in custom folders or another partition keeps it out of OneDrive’s automatic redirection.
   • For users relying on a separate backup program, storing bulk data outside Desktop/Documents/Pictures/Music/Videos avoids OneDrive interference.

Given the available information, there is no supported way to:

• Automatically back up the entire C:\ drive to OneDrive,
• Without moving or redirecting folders into the OneDrive structure,
• While keeping all local paths unchanged, in the same way File History does.

To keep automatic, path‑preserving backups of the whole drive, a different backup solution (such as File History or another local/external backup tool) must be used alongside or instead of OneDrive.

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References:

• Back up your folders with OneDrive
• Back up and restore with Windows Backup
• Quick tips: Sync files to the cloud with the OneDrive desktop app
• Back up your Surface - photos, documents, and more
• onedrive sync? - Microsoft Q&A
• OneDrive "Finish Back Up" message in OneDrive Menu will not go away - Microsoft Q&A
• how to auto save in c drive - Microsoft Q&A