I find OneDrive really confusing

[Powerkiter]

I use OneDrive to create a backup of all my working folders. I still use the files on my hard drive on a day to day basis but want them sync'd to OneDrive as a backup. I am finding it really difficult to find any useful help on OneDrive on the Microsoft website.

Does OneDrive create a duplicate (in addition to the original files) on the hard drive in the "Users" folder? If so, this has caused an issue as my computer as I have two drives, a smaller one with the operating system and a larger on with my working files. OneDrive appears to be creating a duplicate on the smaller one and has filled it up. I'm just trying to move this duplicate folder to the larger drive.

It is further complicated by the fact that I still have my old Office 365 Home on my computer as well as my new Office 365 Business. When the subscription expires on the Home I'll remove the link to the OneDrive associated with it. Can this be done now?

[paulrockliffe]

I can't tell exactly how you have it setup but I think if you follow this:

https://www.laptopmag.com/uk/articles/move-onedriv...

And move your OneDrive folder it'll stop your issue.

[Mr Pointy]

I admit I find it confusing as well - for some reason more confusing than Dropbox - but I have the Onedrive folder on my D Drive having moved it from the C Drive. There are instructions on how to move it here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-...

As with any operation like this i strongly recommend taking a backup of the files before doing anything in case it all goes pear shaped.

[Sheepshanks]

Powerkiter said:

Does OneDrive create a duplicate (in addition to the original files) on the hard drive in the "Users" folder?

I've had that "happen" before so ended up with two Documents folders etc.

To be honest I don't 100% understand it, but in the Users folder I have OneDrive - Company Name and OneDrive - Personal folders. Within them I have relevant sub-folders - Documents is only in the Personal one, in the Company one I have a folder called Work and then everything work related is in further sub-folder.

Everything in the two OneDrive folders gets duplicated into the cloud.

I think one thing that can throw you is looking at Windows File Explorer as Quick Access and This PC often show the same folders but they're just short-cuts back to the actual folders.

[Powerkiter]

paulrockliffe said:

I can't tell exactly how you have it setup but I think if you follow this:

https://www.laptopmag.com/uk/articles/move-onedriv...

And move your OneDrive folder it'll stop your issue.

Thanks, that appears to have worked.

Does just dragging a folder from File Explorer to the OneDrive App mean that folder is sync'd going forwards?

[anxious_ant]

I use OneDrive both for home and at work and they are great.
If you have the relevant 365 account the setup is pretty simple.
For my personal account I was asked if I want to sync my main folders (Desktop, Documents and Pictures).

Once this is setup it’s pretty much seamless. When I log to another device I can see all my files, some with the cloud symbol next to the file icon. These are files that are on other devices but not physically in the device you are using. If I click on the file it will download local copy and keep it synced.

You can also have folders outside of desktop, document and pictures. For example I have Projects folder in the root of my OneDrive which I’ve created on the cloud. This shows in File Explorer but not showing on my devices.

One cool thing I’ve noticed is that is doesn’t matter where the physical location of the folder is on your devices, it still works. For example my Pictures folder is on D drive in PC and C drive on laptop and it still works.

OneDrive can be tricky to setup for non 365 accounts though.

[dapprman]

I was able to set up which folder I wanted as my 'root' one drive folder on my PC way before I got a O365 sub. Looking at the menus I can't see any options so I think the way you change it (I moved it from the OS drive to a second/main one) is you log out, then when you log in you can choose where the folder goes.

As you've said/found out, anything in there is synced after being added/changed, including being removed if you delete it. Also if you delete a file online from your Onedrive folder it will be moved in to your Recycle Bin.

[Insert Coin]

I'd very strongly recommend you find an alternative cloud storage provider to Microsoft.

I've been using Microsoft for decades, Windows, Office, OneDrive, Xbox, laptops etc etc.

Completely out of the blue Microsoft locked my account across all their services last week, apparently I breached their MSA agreement.

I've appealed and only ever received a robotic reply of 'your account has been closed for a serious violation of the Microsoft Services Agreement' and finally they sent the same email, worded slightly differently ending 'This represents Microsoft’s final communication regarding this account.'

There are numerous other people in the same situation and Microsoft won't tell you why the account is locked or give you an option to remove your data.

I know this is the internet and nobody really knows anybody, but my account really is strictly legit, there's nothing illegal or inflammatory about my account.

I use 2FA so my account is secure, I pay all my subscriptions on time, I play nicely on my Xbox without bad mouthing opponents or cheats and glitches.

Don't get caught in a position like me where you get locked out of all your digital memories, documents and digital game downloads.

[Powerkiter]

Powerkiter said:

I use OneDrive to create a backup of all my working folders. I still use the files on my hard drive on a day to day basis but want them sync'd to OneDrive as a backup. I am finding it really difficult to find any useful help on OneDrive on the Microsoft website.

Does OneDrive create a duplicate (in addition to the original files) on the hard drive in the "Users" folder? If so, this has caused an issue as my computer as I have two drives, a smaller one with the operating system and a larger on with my working files. OneDrive appears to be creating a duplicate on the smaller one and has filled it up. I'm just trying to move this duplicate folder to the larger drive.

It is further complicated by the fact that I still have my old Office 365 Home on my computer as well as my new Office 365 Business. When the subscription expires on the Home I'll remove the link to the OneDrive associated with it. Can this be done now?

I'm still having issues with OneDrive reverting back to the smaller hard drive, despite telling it to use the larger hard drive. I've tried everything to try and stop it. Even if I log out of OneDrive it still randomly creates a folder and fills up the smaller hard drive.

I've contacted Microsoft Support and they're blaming my IT system. Something must be creating the folder and adding data to it!

[Brother D]

Insert Coin said:

I'd very strongly recommend you find an alternative cloud storage provider to Microsoft.

I've been using Microsoft for decades, Windows, Office, OneDrive, Xbox, laptops etc etc.

Completely out of the blue Microsoft locked my account across all their services last week, apparently I breached their MSA agreement.

I've appealed and only ever received a robotic reply of 'your account has been closed for a serious violation of the Microsoft Services Agreement' and finally they sent the same email, worded slightly differently ending 'This represents Microsoft’s final communication regarding this account.'

There are numerous other people in the same situation and Microsoft won't tell you why the account is locked or give you an option to remove your data.

I know this is the internet and nobody really knows anybody, but my account really is strictly legit, there's nothing illegal or inflammatory about my account.

I use 2FA so my account is secure, I pay all my subscriptions on time, I play nicely on my Xbox without bad mouthing opponents or cheats and glitches.

Don't get caught in a position like me where you get locked out of all your digital memories, documents and digital game downloads.

Google have been known to do the same. But more importantly do you have access to the one drive files locally?

[Insert Coin]

Brother D said:

Google have been known to do the same. But more importantly do you have access to the one drive files locally?

Yes fortunately local content has been moved, but I lost the content in my Vault, which is online only and 2fa, so I’ve lost lots of documents, school kids work etc. I kicked up a stink and got my solicitor to write a letter demanding access to remove all my content and got a reply from their UK legal representative https://cms.law/en/gbr/people/clive-gringras

At that point I backed off because I’m not going to waste money lining this parasite’s pockets.

It’s fair to say I will never use a single Microsoft product again.

[randlemarcus]

Insert Coin said:

It’s fair to say I will never use a single Microsoft product again.

Not if they catch you

Apologies for making light, what happened to you is not a shining beacon of fairness, or rigorous evidence based investigation, but an over-reaction based on how the company looks, and as pointed out elsewhere, is not limited to Microsoft.

[Insert Coin]

It’s particularly annoying as I’m such an advocate of cloud back-up with a quality provider.

The photodna algorithm is seriously flawed with no chance to appeal, assuming that’s what breached their MSA, maybe my account got banned because I called someone a fking camper in Warzone? I have no idea and they won’t tell me.

[Whoozit]

Insert Coin said:

Yes fortunately local content has been moved, but I lost the content in my Vault, which is online only and 2fa, so I’ve lost lots of documents, school kids work etc. I kicked up a stink and got my solicitor to write a letter demanding access to remove all my content and got a reply from their UK legal representative https://cms.law/en/gbr/people/clive-gringras

At that point I backed off because I’m not going to waste money lining this parasite’s pockets.

It’s fair to say I will never use a single Microsoft product again.

Would a GDPR SAR get all your data back?

[alock]

Insert Coin said:

The photodna algorithm is seriously flawed with no chance to appeal, assuming that’s what breached their MSA, maybe my account got banned because I called someone a fking camper in Warzone? I have no idea and they won’t tell me.

Put in an official GDPR request. This has serious teeth, and they will respond. In this letter, prompt them with information such as there being multiple pictures of you in the OneDrive space.

The fines for companies that do not comply are enormous.

[Insert Coin]

Thanks guys, I’ve already fired in a SAR to MS, they have 3 days left to reply or I’ll raise a formal complaint with the ICO.

They initially replied to acknowledge my request on 22nd April, but nothing since. What’s the likelihood they sent the info to my blocked Hotmail account?

Even more frustrating is that my Hotmail is blocked, but not bouncing emails back to the senders so it looks like I’m ignoring people.

People always talk about the security of cloud storage, but MS take it a bit too far by keeping your data so safe you can’t access it.

[Insert Coin]

This is what they sent me, my solicitor said basically how deep are your pockets -

Dear Mr W,

I am contacting you regarding your Microsoft account with alias s*[e-mail] which you have been unable to access since 16 April 2021.

We are a law firm and represent Microsoft, and we would like to arrange a telephone call with you to discuss why your account was closed along with the Legal team from Microsoft. I strongly advise you to take your own legal advice and to have that advisor on the call, if possible.

Please can you provide some dates and times that would be suitable for you so that we can send a calendar invite.

Yours sincerely


Clive Gringras
Partner

[randlemarcus]

Insert Coin said:

This is what they sent me, my solicitor said basically how deep are your pockets

Unless you asked your solicitor to quote for grinding their faces into dust, I'm not seeing why you would need deep pockets.

Then again, am not seeing why a) you need your legal advisor on the call and b) any call at all. Reply declining their kind invitation, and ask them if they would be so kind as to put the reasons in writing

How loud were your complaints?

[Whoozit]

randlemarcus said:

Then again, am not seeing why a) you need your legal advisor on the call and b) any call at all. Reply declining their kind invitation, and ask them if they would be so kind as to put the reasons in writing

I agree. Getting you on the phone is a tactic to scare you before being able to consider the angles. Ask politely for them to set out the reasons in writing. You may just get a generic repeat of the T&Cs but worth trying.

[Insert Coin]

randlemarcus said:

Unless you asked your solicitor to quote for grinding their faces into dust, I'm not seeing why you would need deep pockets.

Then again, am not seeing why a) you need your legal advisor on the call and b) any call at all. Reply declining their kind invitation, and ask them if they would be so kind as to put the reasons in writing

How loud were your complaints?

‘My’ solicitor is actually a good friend of my dad’s, he doesn’t work in the digital arena and therefore said I’d need a specialist which could get pricey, especially against a huge corporate entity like MS.

I got him to send two letters, signed for, one to Reading HO and one to MS in Dublin which is who my contract was with. Basically asking what part of the MSA I had supposedly breached and requesting that access to my data was returned so that I could attempt to comply with their t&c’s (I was going to remove everything and delete my account).

As I said above, I genuinely have absolutely nothing to hide, I do not distribute or upload illegal content to my OneDrive. The only reason I believe it’s my OneDrive that’s causing the issue is because I copied all my family photo’s into OneDrive from my Dropbox account about 3 days earlier, which is a bit of a coincidence after 20ish years.

• there are less than a handful of pictures of my kids naked in the bath covered in bubbles.

Whilst I applaud MS for cracking down on kiddy pervs what about the false positives like me?