Forum Discussion
Onedrive removing original files from desktop
Could someone explain why onedrive would remove my original files off my desktop when managing backups and such?
For a filesharing cloud software to wipe my desktop of important files when I trying to manage what is shared, has baffled me into a rage that I may not recover from.
Why does onedrive cram 2 desktops together in a hodgepodge of file confetti?
Why would onedrive remove original files when backup is deselected?
Why would onedrive set out to destroy my marriage and life savings by thwarting my good times?
Thanks onedrive, you champ.
2 Replies
- I totally understand your frustration—OneDrive’s handling of desktop and backup folders can feel confusing and even risky if you're not expecting certain behaviors. When OneDrive’s "Manage Backup" feature is enabled, it redirects key folders like Desktop, Documents, and Pictures into its sync folder. So when you deselect backup or unlink OneDrive, it might appear that files have been removed—but they’re actually still in the OneDrive folder (typically under C:\Users\[YourName]\OneDrive\Desktop, etc.).
To avoid this in the future: - Before turning off backup, manually move your files from the OneDrive folder back to your local folders.
- Check your OneDrive Recycle Bin (online) in case any files were removed during changes.
- You can also pause sync or unlink OneDrive entirely if you prefer manual control over file storage.
Hopefully this helps make sense of the chaos. You're not alone—many users have run into this. Microsoft could definitely improve how it communicates these changes.
- I totally understand your frustration—OneDrive’s handling of desktop and backup folders can feel confusing and even risky if you're not expecting certain behaviors. When OneDrive’s "Manage Backup" feature is enabled, it redirects key folders like Desktop, Documents, and Pictures into its sync folder. So when you deselect backup or unlink OneDrive, it might appear that files have been removed—but they’re actually still in the OneDrive folder (typically under C:\Users\[YourName]\OneDrive\Desktop, etc.).
When OneDrive manages backups of folders like Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, here's what happens:
- "Backup" in OneDrive terms ≠ making a copy.
- It moves the actual files from your local desktop into the OneDrive folder (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\Desktop).
- What looks like your regular desktop is now just a synced version inside the OneDrive system.
- If you disable OneDrive backup, OneDrive may:
- Prompt to "Keep files in OneDrive" or "Move them back to this PC".
- If you miss this step or accidentally click the wrong option, it can leave your desktop seemingly empty—files are still in OneDrive cloud or folder, but not where you expect them.
What can you do…
- Check the OneDrive folder:
- Look in C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\Desktop for your missing files.
- Search OneDrive online:
- Go to https://onedrive.live.com
- Use the search bar or check "Recycle bin" there
- Restore backup to PC:
- If needed, manually copy/move files from OneDrive\Desktop back to C:\Users\YourName\Desktop
- Turn off OneDrive folder backup properly:
- Right-click the OneDrive icon in taskbar > Settings > Sync and backup
- Under “Manage backup,” click Stop backup for Desktop, Documents, etc.
- Follow the prompts carefully to keep files on PC if that's what you want
