De-Enshittify Windows 11. This book will be available for purchase soon, hopefully by the end of February
The problems with Microsoft auto-enabling OneDrive Folder Backup
In the latest iteration of Windows 11, specifically version 25H2, Microsoft has made some subtle yet significant adjustments to the OneDrive Folder Backup feature. While a few of these changes enhance user experience, several issues persist that warrant attention:
- Silent Activation: OneDrive now enables Folder Backup without notifying users. This feature automatically syncs the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to their OneDrive counterparts, leaving many unaware of this change.
- User Preferences Ignored: Not all users may wish to sync their Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folders to the cloud. These folders often contain sensitive or large files, such as game saves, that could unnecessarily consume storage space and lead to additional costs.
- Confusing Content Management: When users choose to disable Folder Backup for a folder, OneDrive prompts them to decide where to store the contents. Unfortunately, this process can be cumbersome, as it mixes local and cloud content, complicating the user’s decision-making.
- Change in Notification Protocol: In previous versions, users were prompted to enable Folder Backup during the initial setup. However, in version 25H2, this feature is automatically activated post-login, bypassing user consent entirely.
💚 Uninstall OneDrive
While OneDrive offers various advantages, including its Folder Backup feature, users who prefer alternative services like Google Drive may find it beneficial to uninstall OneDrive altogether. This action not only frees up system resources but also streamlines the File Explorer interface.
To uninstall OneDrive, navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Locate Microsoft OneDrive, click on the “More options” (“…”) link, and select “Uninstall.” Confirm the action when prompted. No reboot is necessary, although a remnant feature, the Gallery item, may still appear in File Explorer’s navigation bar. To remove it, open Terminal with administrator privileges and execute the following command:
reg delete “HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerDesktopNameSpace{e88865ea-0e1c-4e20-9aa6-edcd0212c87c}”
This command will instantly eliminate the Gallery from File Explorer.
✅ Tip: Uninstalling OneDrive does not delete any files stored in the cloud. Users can still access their data via the OneDrive website or app on other devices.
💚 Prevent OneDrive from enabling Folder Backup when you set up a PC
For those setting up a new or reset PC, there is a way to prevent OneDrive from auto-enabling Folder Backup. Timing is crucial, and the trick lies in acting promptly after completing the Windows Setup Out of Box Experience (OOBE).
Once you reach the Desktop for the first time, wait for the OneDrive icon to appear in the Taskbar’s system tray. When it does, it will initially show an angled line, indicating that Windows 11 is updating the app. After the update, the icon will restart, and the angled line will vanish. At this point, click the OneDrive icon, access settings through Help & Settings (gear), and navigate to Sync & backup. Click “Manage backup” next to “Back up important PC folders to OneDrive.”
If you’re fortunate, a yellow info bar will appear, stating “Getting things ready for backup.” To prevent Folder Backup from auto-enabling, click the “Cancel” link.
✅ Tip: The yellow info bar typically remains until OneDrive finishes processing all files in the cloud, which can take around 30 minutes, depending on your storage usage.
💛 Reverse the changes made by OneDrive Folder Backup
If Folder Backup is already enabled, users can reverse this setting for any or all of the three folders—Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. Disabling this feature prompts OneDrive to ask where the contents should reside, either in the cloud or locally on the PC.
To disable Folder Backup, access OneDrive settings, navigate to Sync and backup, and click “Manage backup.” The “Back up folders on this PC” window will appear, showing the current sync status of the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders.
To disable backup for a folder, toggle the setting to “Off.” A prompt will appear, detailing the number of files and their storage requirements. This information is crucial, especially if local storage is limited. After confirming, users can choose to keep files in OneDrive or move them to their PC.
ℹ️ More info: When Folder Backup is enabled, OneDrive merges local and cloud content. For instance, if the local Pictures folder contains 119 items and the OneDrive Pictures folder has 12, the combined total will be 131 items. Disabling Folder Backup will move all items to the chosen location, which may not always be desirable.
By selecting “Only on my PC,” OneDrive will attempt to transfer all items from the cloud-based folder to the local folder. If successful, a confirmation dialog will appear. However, if some files cannot be moved, users will need to handle those manually through File Explorer.
💚 Eliminate other OneDrive annoyances
Beyond the forced Folder Backup feature, OneDrive’s integration with Windows 11 is generally positive, though a few minor annoyances can be addressed:
You need more OneDrive storage
⛔ The problem: Microsoft provides a mere 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage, which may be insufficient for users relying on it for work or personal backups.
💛 A workaround: To obtain additional storage, users must subscribe to Microsoft 365. The most economical option is Microsoft 365 Basic, offering 100 GB for .99 per year. However, Microsoft 365 Personal (.99 per year) and Family (9.99 per year) plans provide 1 TB of storage per user, making them more suitable for most users. For those needing even more, Microsoft offers add-on storage plans ranging from 200 GB to 10 TB.
✅ Tip: Users seeking savings might consider switching to Google Drive, which offers 15 GB of free storage with a Gmail account, along with various paid plans.
OneDrive displays annoying “Memories” notifications
⛔ The problem: OneDrive frequently sends “On this day” memory notifications, which can feel redundant for users already receiving similar alerts on their mobile devices.
💚 The solution: To disable these notifications, access OneDrive settings, navigate to the Notifications tab, and turn off the option for “Notify me when ‘On this day’ memories are available.”
You want to move OneDrive to a different disk
⛔ The problem: By default, OneDrive is set to reside on the C: drive, which may not be ideal for users with multiple drives.
💚 The solution: To relocate OneDrive, unlink the account in OneDrive settings under the Account tab. After unlinking, sign in again and follow the prompts until reaching the “Your OneDrive folder” screen. Here, select “Change location” to choose a new folder path.
✅ Tip: Remember to delete the previous OneDrive folder to reclaim disk space, and if using Files on Demand, resync the desired folders for offline access.
