Unsolved
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
38
December 28th, 2024 17:41
One Drive and local files
[Microsoft 365] I thought OneDrive was used to back up my local documents. I just did a Windows update, OneDrive is currently not running.
Lately all documents saved went to OneDrive, not the local folder on my laptop. If I selected a local folder, the OneDrive folder opened.
By mistake I unpinned my local DOCUMENT file. Dell support re-pinned the folder for me but it is empty.
Are my “local” documents gone? How do I get back my local document folder contents?
How do I go back to saving documents locally and just using OneDrive as the backup?
No Events found!
garioch7
5 Practitioner
•
272 Posts
0
December 29th, 2024 17:26
@kguarino ,
Welcome to the Dell Community Forums.
I am guessing that you have "Files on Demand" turned on, the default. This post will tell you about that setting and how to get your files back on your local computer:
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/onedrive-unlink-paranoia.30643/post-528313
This post tells you the proper way to uninstall or disable OneDrive:
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/onedrive-unlink-paranoia.30643/post-528170
I hope this helps. Please let us know if it works for you. Have a great day.
Regards,
Phil
kguarino
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
December 29th, 2024 18:52
@garioch7 [Backing up files to the OneDrive cloud is a plus.] I can access all my files in the documents folder under Ken-Personal (with the cloud icon). The pinned document folder is empty. Previously if I selected the pinned document folder, the Ken-Personal document folder is accessed Confusing - are the Ken-pPersonal files locan on my laptop - or in the cloud? If I disable my intgernet connection the files can still be accessed
garioch7
5 Practitioner
•
272 Posts
0
December 29th, 2024 19:59
@kguarino ,
OneDrive does not back up system files, so it would not backup a Windows Update.
I am guessing that you broke the link between your local "Documents" folder and the OneDrive "Documents" folder.
Notice my folder structure has no pinned items. Your local "Documents" folder and other folders, Music, Pictures, and Videos, etc., should be under listed in the "Home" folder structure, no pins. Your structure is unusual.
You could open OneDrive and "Manage" which folders are backed up, but you need to be very careful.
From what I can tell, your files should be OK and are on OneDrive in its "Documents" folder, but OneDrive no longer "knows" about this new pinned "Documents" folder.
My plan would be to get those files downloaded from OneDrive before you do anything to mess with the OneDrive folder links. It would help enormously if you had a recent backup system image from before you messed with the local "Documents" folder, so that you could restore that.
I don't use Microsoft 365, so that is an added complication. I don't know what version of Windows you are running, but if I were you, I would read that entire topic to which I sent you links to only two posts.
You could post in the TenForums (https://www.tenforums.com/), if you are using Windows 10 or in the ElevenForum, from where that OneDrive topic is located that I referenced. This is not a Dell issue.
You will find a lot of experts in both of those Forums I referenced, who are very helpful. I belong to the ElevenForum, but I am not as qualified as others more knowledgeable, to provide you with expert assistance on this particular issue.
I say that because a wise man knows his limitations. Your data is priceless.
Please, get the best help possible, most particularly if the only copies of your documents are orphaned on OneDrive. You need to get those file back on your computer before doing anything else, and then make a copy of them all on another drive, in case things do not go well.
Good luck! I am sorry that I cannot be of more assistance. Have a great day.
Regards,
Phil