OneDrive for backup only (after have all files go to the cloud)

Question

I'd like to keep my files on my computer's hard drive and also have them backed up on OneDrive.

When I bought my new Windows 11 computer the OneDrive settings were to have all my files taken off my computer's hard drive and stored on the cloud.

How do I change the OneDrive settings to store on the hard drive but still back-up to the cloud?

Answer 1

To ensure a local copy of your files is kept on your PC and sync the files to OneDrive as a backup, right click the OneDrive cloud icon on your Taskbar and select the OneDrive 'Help and Settings' icon, then choose Settings.

Select the 'Sync and back up' tab.

Expand the 'Advanced settings', ⁠and toggle off the 'Files On-Demand' setting.

Then wait for OneDrive to download all your files from the cloud to your PC, do not interrupt that process.

Answer 2

Yes. OneDrive can keep files on the PC and sync them to the cloud, but OneDrive folder backup is sync-based, not a separate traditional backup. If a file stays inside a OneDrive-synced folder, changes and deletions sync to OneDrive too.

To keep files on the hard drive and still have them available in OneDrive:

1. Open OneDrive settings
   • Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
   • Select Help & Settings > Settings.
2. Make sure important folders are backed up
   • Go to the Sync and backup tab.
   • Select Manage backup.
   • Turn on the folders to back up, then select Save changes or Start backup.
3. Download files so they are stored locally on the PC
   • If files are currently online-only, use Files On-Demand to make them local.
   • In File Explorer, files marked Always keep on this device are stored on the computer.
   • If the newer Files On-Demand setting is shown, choose Download all files to download the whole OneDrive folder to the device. This uses disk space.
4. Verify the result
   • In File Explorer, OneDrive files with a solid green circle and white check mark are local copies on the PC.
   • Those files still sync with OneDrive.

Important limitation:

• If a file is in a OneDrive-backed-up folder such as Desktop, Documents, or Pictures, deleting it from the PC also deletes it from OneDrive because those folders are synced.
• If a file should stay only on the PC and not sync, move it to a folder outside the OneDrive-backed-up folders.

If the goal is also to change where Windows saves files by default, use OneDrive folder backup settings for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, or change Windows backup settings in Settings > Accounts > Windows backup > Manage sync settings.

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• Back up your folders with OneDrive
• Save disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows
• Back up and restore with Windows Backup
• One Drive "backup" Help - Microsoft Q&A
• How do I save files from OneDrive to both Windows 11 computer hard drive and external hard drive? - Microsoft Q&A