Forum Discussion
MacOS Monterey - Disable Files on Demand
- That sounds strange. I would expect it to be one or the other as you say. On my own Mac running Monterey I cannot duplicate your issue. As you say, you can't disable FOD from the OneDrive client settings but you should be able to do this with a PList as per https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/onedrive/deploy-and-configure-on-macos#filesondemandenabled
I agree this is caused by Microsoft and not Apple. On my second Macbook (a new Air), OneDrive has not changed. It shows OneDrive version 21.220.1024.0555. On my Pro, which is having these new problems, the version is 22.007.0109.0002.
Luckily I had not used the Air for a few days. I have disabled auto updates on it and will hustle it back and forth to work until (I hope) this is resolved by Microsoft.
And, the older OneDrive has a button to turn on Files on Demand, at the preferences. The 2022 version removes this option. I am working with a MS tech person who said he is going to research a resolution. If I get one, I will share it.
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/01/25/macos-12-3-cloud-storage-changes/
- They seem to be the same issue. One comment on the MacRumors article mentioned the loss of native Mac features with the move to Files on Demand as the default setting, which includes valuable features like Quick Look and Spotlight. Spotlight's accuracy and speed are massively helpful for me. They don't work, obviously, if all of your files are online and downloaded only on demand. Seems to be that some of the blame is on Apple and on Microsoft. Two of the biggest developers out there can't update something without breaking what already works. (Sorry, venting.)
That link says, "Microsoft recently said macOS 12.2 will be the last version that supports its own cloud storage service OneDrive's current online-only files implementation."
This sounds like 12.2 will be the last version that does not support downloaded files. But all context makes me think they mean it is the last version that will allow downloaded files.
Like obaskirt, I am very upset. I wonder if it is to make it harder to keep possession of files and, therefore, harder to cancel your 365 subscription.
- They do not know how much big trouble they created for us. Today, I could not go to work and cannot do anything because of this problem. I am anxiously trying to save my files, mostly critical work-related projects, not only essential photos, memories, etc.
I have re-installed the one drive's old version, but the company profiles automatically updated it, so that option is also gone for me.
Now, my last bullet is; I have installed one drive on my fiance's windows machine, and "such a miracle" disabled the "Files On-Demand" checkbox in the Windows version. I have disabled it and am now syncing my files on that machine to save them. Then I will move them to an external drive, and then via NTFS for Mac, I will put them on my MacBook. These are the plan for saving the files.
After these steps, I cannot use OneDrive, unfortunately. I cannot rely on them. They did this without any permission etc. They can think this we write a program and delete/move their project and sensitive files to a cloud, and we provide a download them the option, but that option is not working, and they cannot download their critical files. It is massive sabotage to us. If you release a product version, a very critical major version, you must test it extensively.
