Why are all the files I copy in OneDrive only in OneDrive ?

Without more information’s about your OneDrive version and digital environment, is it difficult to give a solution proposal.

OneDrive Version: OneDrive for Business, OneDrive Personal, OneDrive on macOS, OneDrive on Mobile Devices (ios/Android), OneDrive on Windows 7 or 8, OneDrive on Windows 10 or 11, etc.

Nevertheless, here are some suggested solutions using AI...otherwise it would take too long to list everything individually.

Step 1: Change OneDrive Sync Settings

OneDrive has a feature called Files On-Demand. With this, you can see all your files in the OneDrive folder on your PC, but only the ones you need are downloaded locally. Files that are not downloaded will be available online only.

Here’s how to manage this setting:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar (bottom-right corner of your screen).
2. Click on Settings.
3. In the OneDrive settings window, go to the Settings tab.
4. Under the "Files On-Demand" section, make sure "Save space and download files as you use them" is selected. This will allow you to have files show up on your PC but only be fully stored locally when you open them.
5. Click OK to apply.

With this feature enabled, files that you haven't opened yet will remain online-only and won't take up space on your computer, but they will still appear in your OneDrive folder.

Step 2: Move Files to a Different Folder

If you want to stop syncing files to OneDrive altogether:

1. Move files out of the OneDrive folder on your computer. Create a separate folder (e.g., "Documents") outside of OneDrive.
2. Once you move your files, OneDrive will stop syncing them and they will only exist on your local drive.
3. If you want to copy specific files to OneDrive, simply drag them into the OneDrive folder manually, and they will sync to the cloud.

Step 3: Use Selective Sync

If you want to stop syncing specific folders or files between your computer and OneDrive:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar and choose Settings.
2. Go to the Account tab.
3. Click on Choose folders.
4. Uncheck the folders you don’t want to sync with your computer.
5. Click OK.

This way, the files in those folders will remain on OneDrive and won’t be synced to your computer.

Step 4: Manually Upload Files to OneDrive (When Needed)

Instead of copying files into the OneDrive folder and letting it sync automatically, you can upload them directly to the OneDrive website:

1. Open the OneDrive website (https://onedrive.live.com).
2. Drag and drop the files into the web interface to upload them directly to the cloud.

This way, files are only saved in OneDrive and not synced with your computer.

Additional Tip: Stop OneDrive from Starting Automatically (if needed)

If you don’t want OneDrive to automatically start and sync files every time you start your computer, you can disable this option:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
2. Go to Settings > Settings tab.
3. Uncheck Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows.

By using Files On-Demand and selectively syncing, you should be able to keep the files on your computer while only uploading them to OneDrive when you choose to.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

Happy Excel-ing!