Removing reparse points

Question

I recently removed OneDrive from my PC as I discovered it was preventing my files from being backed up (by another online provider). However, despite removing OneDrive (following the Microsoft instructions) my files are still not being backed up.

I contacted support for the backup provider and they advised:

"When files are stored by OneDrive for any amount of time, they will typically contain 'Reparse Points'. Those reparse points act as links to the files, but are not the files themselves, and they are what prevent us from backing up those files. In order to back up those files, those reparse points need to be removed. Microsoft is the only entity capable of removing reparse points. So you will need to have Microsoft remove those reparse points from your files in order to have the files backed up."

Before posting here I did some Googling and found a couple of suggestions to try - but they have not worked.

One was to run a chkdsk <volume> /R /F command. After that had been completed I left the backup software running for some time but it still didn't 'see' these files for backup.

I then found an article that suggested running the command fsutil reparsepoint delete <folder>.

Before doing so I did an fsutil reparsepoint query on the folder and that brought back:

Reparse Tag Value : 0x9000201a

Tag value: Microsoft

Tag value: Directory

Reparse Data Length: 0x8e

Reparse Data: Removed

However, when I tried to use the Delete option on that same folder, I got the error message "Access to the cloud file is denied".

Is there anything else I can try to get rid of these reparse points? TIA.

Malcolm

***moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Files, folders, and storage***

Answer 1

Hi,MalcolmSurgenor

Welcome to the Microsoft Community, and we'll be happy to help you.

Based on the information you've provided, you've tried multiple methods to remove the reanalysis points from OneDrive, but it seems that these methods didn't work. For your issue, you can try the Reset OneDrive method to troubleshoot the application:  Reset OneDrive - Microsoft SupportAlso make sure you have permission to delete these folders. You can refer to this link to modify Windows folder permissions:How to take ownership of a folder - Microsoft Community Finally, if the problem persists, would you be willing to provide us with a specific online backup provider so that we can further troubleshoot the issue.

I wish you good health and all the best

Zoro-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi

Thanks for stepping in to help.

If I've read you correctly the Reset OneDrive instructions would require OneDrive to be still installed on my PC. I've already uninstalled the app. However, if you think that the Reset instructions might remove the Reparse Points from the affected folders then I'm happy to try reinstalling and setting it up again.

The backup software I'm using is from Backblaze. I would actually like both OneDrive and Backblaze to coexist together on my PC but I'm told the Backblaze software cannot identify and backup files 'held' by OneDrive.

Malcolm

Answer 3

I reinstalled OneDrive accepting all the defaults. I didn't add any PC folders and I'm not letting it sync any cloud folders for the moment.

I followed the reset instructions. Restarted my PC but still Backblaze is not picking up the 'old' One Drive folders.

I have just noticed though that I had 5 folders in my old OneDrive and Backblaze has backed up 2 of them. So the Reparse Points blocking the backup only exist in 3 of the Folders.

Answer 4

If I open OneDrive just now I get a message that says Processing xxxx Changes and "We're Resetting. Go ahead and keep working on your files while we reset. Your files will save to your local disk and upload to OneDrive after the reset."

That message has been displayed for around 4 hours now. The Processing xxx Changes message continues to increase(!). It now sits at 418,094 and is continuing to rise. What changes is it referring to? Is it removing Reparse Points from my previous OneDrive folders/files? I'm very nervous about losing data when I'm not backed up.

Answer 5

I've just added up the files in the 3 folders that were in my old OneDrive - they only total 245,000 files so I can't see were OneDrive is getting its Processing xxx Changes count from?! It continues to rise - it's now at 452,000 and still rising!