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Samantha1986's avatar
Samantha1986
Copper Contributor
Feb 06, 2020

OneDrive Missing Files

I have recently noticed files missing from my OneDrive.

 

I currently have my OneDrive folder synced to two different computer desktops.  I have checked sync status, which is fine, and both computers are currently up to date with windows updates.  I have checked the recycle bins on both computers as well as the recycle bins (and secondary bins) within OneDrive in my browser to no avail.

 

What makes this more than just a case of perhaps a 'bad sync' or accidental deletion of files, is that if I log into my OneDrive via the browser and manually navigate to the folders and files I need, the files are missing - however, if I search for the files, they appear but have no location, file size or file path!

 

I am able to click and download the files this way, one by one as a workaround if I know the name of the file I am missing, but I am concerned that these files are in some temporary vortex and that my files may eventually disappear before I figure out what's missing!

 

What makes this just as bizarre is that the missing files are completely random: I have multiple folder structures, and it appears that approx. half of every single folder is missing.  There is no correlation between file size or type - it is a complete mix of graphics, design files and word/excel documents.

 

Has anyone experienced this, and does anyone know where these files might be hiding and how I get them back?

 

I have attached a snip of my OneDrive search results - you will notice these files appear to not exist anywhere, or have any file size.  But I am still able to individually click and download them.

 

8 Replies

  • NickyF's avatar
    NickyF
    Copper Contributor
    We recognized those behavior when file +Folder length (Counted letters) exceeded the 256. OneDrive has issues to cover this. Have you tried to shorten Folder/File names just for test?
    • Samantha1986's avatar
      Samantha1986
      Copper Contributor

      NickyF 

       

      Thanks for the quick reply.

       

      If I change the folder names, are my files supposed to magically re-appear? Or is this a fix to stop future files from disappearing?

       

      FYI - I just did a character count, and the file location length, including the file name, is less than 100 characters for the files that are missing in my image above.

      • NickyF's avatar
        NickyF
        Copper Contributor

        Samantha1986we had this Case on one user with huge Folder lengh, but 100 is too short for this one.

         

        I assume you have enabled the sync on demand feature in OneDrive? Otherwise the files should be visible at least on the Computer where you uploaded them. Have you checked online whethere they are fully visible there?

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