Somehow during the process of setting up my new computer, I must have approved or selected OneDrive. But I really don't think I want or need it, as I am not interested in syncing or in the cloud. And as far as being a good backup of my files, I plan on again using File History.

And OneDrive is sorta confusing to me. Supposedly there is a 15 GB storage limitation, yet my OneDrive-Personal already contains 27.1 GB of data (I moved a lot of files and photos from my old computer). Which begs another question....where is my OneDrive data currently being stored...my computer or Microsoft's computer?

Any reason I should keep OneDrive? If not, how do I get rid of it without losing any of my documents?

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BB
http://barrypatch.net

I'm sort of up in the air about OneDrive. I see nothing wrong with it but really don't use as I prefer my files to be local but I DO have a few files stored on OneDrive.

If you install Office Microsoft 365 Personal you will actually get 1TB of on-line storage. If you install the 'Family version' you will be allowed up to 6 users with each having 1TB of on-line storage. The Family version is more expensive but can actually be cheaper than the Personal version if you share the account with others and split the cost.

The default location for the local OneDrive folder is C:.Users/Name/OneDrive but this can be changed. Whatever you save to the local OneDrive folder is synced with the on-line storage.

If you uninstall OneDrive via Programs and features in your Control Panel it should not remove the local OneDrive folder but I'd make a copy just to be safe.

Come back with more questions if needed. One thing to keep in mind is to NEVER keep sensitive files on on-line storage.

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Jay, I didn't knowingly store any files on OneDrive. What I did do was to use a USB flash drive to copy files from the Documents folder on my old computer to the Documents folder on my new computer. These files included Word files, Lotus files, Quicken files, photo files, etc. Then I happened to notice that these same files also went to my OneDrive - Personal.

If I uninstall OneDrive via Programs & Features, then I am actually uninstalling the on-line version...is that correct? Then how do I uninstall the local version?

BTW, I was successful in reinstalling my copy of Microsoft Office 2016, although I had to go through a few steps to acquire a new product code. My new computer came with a 30-day free trial of Office 365, but my Office 2016 suits me just fine.

Also BTW, during the setup of my new computer, I immediately had the opportunity for a free upgrade to Windows 11. But I will cross that bridge at a later time...not yet ready for Win 11.

I have yet to try installing Win XP in virtual mode. I wanted to get everything else set up on my new computer before I tried that. But I had previously printed your excellent tutorial, so I am ready to go.

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BB
http://barrypatch.net

Jay, I really need to get rid of OneDrive ASAP. I'm starting to get Notices that I'm running out of space and that I need to purchase more. I don't even want to keep the local OneDrive folder.

You said I could delete the on-line OneDrive folder via Programs & Features. But how do I also delete the local OneDrive folder?

And will either one of these deletions affect any of the files in my Documents folder on my new computer? I already spent hours moving files from the Documents folder on my old computer to the Documents folder on my new computer, and I would hate to lose any of these.

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BB
http://barrypatch.net

You can just delete the OneDrive folder but first make sure that any contents are also in another location.

Look at this link:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us

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Which OneDrive folder are you talking about me just deleting....the on-line or the local?

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BB
http://barrypatch.net

Local. Might not be able to delete before uninstalling OneDrive via Programs and features.

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You should be able to also simply stop synchronizing -- if there's a OneDrive icon in the notification area (it may be hidden in the overflow area), click it to change your sync options, pause synchronization, or quit OneDrive. If there's no icon for OneDrive (it's a cloud), click on the Windows (Start) icon and search for ‘OneDrive’. Then, click on ‘OneDrive’ (app) in the search results. This will open up your local OneDrive folder. Close that folder and go to the notification area to click on the OneDrive icon.

You can also be selective in which folders you wish to sync to prevent that massive space usage for files you don't want synchronized. In the OneDrive app, settings, then choose folders to sync.

After you have stopped synchronizing, you can log into Onedrive.live.com to remove folders that are there. Note that if you didn't disable synchronizing first, this will cause OneDrive on the PC to mimic the deletions on the PC.

I would not advise removing the OneDrive folders locally or in the cloud until after you have uninstalled the OneDrive app.

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stephen boots
Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020
"Life's always an adventure with computers!"

Thanks for your reply, Steve. I might have already deleted one or both of the OneDrive folders. Microsoft really got me this time, when I was trying to set up my new computer.


I was simply trying to copy selected folders & files from my old computer to my new computer. And for the longest time, I didn't notice that these items were going to two places on my new computer....they were going to my Documents folder (where I wanted them) and to my OneDrive folder (that I didn't even know was on my new computer).

I'll try to take corrective action in the morning, when my mind is a little fresher

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BB
http://barrypatch.net

I don't think it actually was 2 places on your PC, bb. I think that when OneDrive was set to sync your files it pointed to your various data folders and made them part of your OneDrive profile. Since you were copying files from the old PC, no harm done in deleting them on the new PC other than time lost due to OneDrive being pushy. I use OneDrive extensively to keep files and folders in sync on multiple PCs and to my OneDrive server location, but i select which folders to sync.

I believe that the link Jay provided has good detail on how to disable or configure OneDrive. If you prefer not to use it, go ahead and uninstall the OneDrive app. You can then safely copy your files over without fear that things are being uploaded to the cloud!

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stephen boots
Microsoft MVP 2004 - 2020
"Life's always an adventure with computers!"