News Microsoft now forces automatic OneDrive backups — feature enabled during clean Windows installs, users surprised with desktop icons and files

[punkncat]

It has been my understanding that if you didn't specifically uninstall One Drive that it would then automatically do its backups whether you took action or not. The article goes further to say that uninstalling One Drive is the solution for this issue.

Since quite a few years ago the very first thing I do with any clean install is to go an uninstall One Drive right away. I don't leave it a chance to go messing things up.

 

[35below0]

In my experience, that's just how OneDrive works.

Unless you jump through some hoops that your organization might not actually let you jump through.

That's nonsense. Commiting to only ONE existing copy of an organization's data goes against all sense.
It's their own fault they chose not to have backups.

It has been my understanding that if you didn't specifically uninstall One Drive that it would then automatically do its backups whether you took action or not.

This is not true for Win 11 Home. It can be set to not sync without being uninstalled. Though, there is little point in keeping it installed if you're sure you don't want it.

 

[USAFRet]

And some users have completely different use cases for OneDrive.

Question - Onedrive "Free Up Space" Greyed out.

So, for some reason, the "Free Up Space" option for my onedrive is greyed out. Not sure what is causing it, but I want it to go back to the standard "download file if I open it" behavior, and then being able to use Free Up Space to "clean everything out" once in a while. (Reason: I keep all my...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Alvar "Miles" Udell]

So what's the problem? Microsoft automatically backing up your documents and pictures from your personal folder as well as what you have on your desktop (as that's also in your personal folder) is no different than Google automatically backing up your settings and apps or Apple automatically backing up everything on your iPhone and then persistently bugging you to buy more storage because it's full. For anyone who isn't a novice in computers it's easy to change the setting, and for everyone else it gives them an extra layer of protection.

Just another Microsoft bashing clickbait article from TomsHardware.,..

 

[DS426]

NTLite is awesome. Really is.

Let's be honest folks: we're f'ed. There's a degree to which we can control our privacy, but it'll never be 100% unless you stay 100% off the internet and anything that has networking capabilities. Not saying don't fight the good fight; more of a reminder that these mega corps aren't our friends in the slightest.

 

[salgado18]

So what's the problem? Microsoft automatically backing up your documents and pictures from your personal folder as well as what you have on your desktop (as that's also in your personal folder) is no different than Google automatically backing up your settings and apps or Apple automatically backing up everything on your iPhone and then persistently bugging you to buy more storage because it's full. For anyone who isn't a novice in computers it's easy to change the setting, and for everyone else it gives them an extra layer of protection.

Just another Microsoft bashing clickbait article from TomsHardware.,..

You missed the part where it says "Unlike Google and Apple which are opt-in (you must choose to enter), OneDrive is now opt-out (you must choose to get out). Since OneDrive is not an essential tool of the OS, it should be a service offered to you, instead of being a default that needs disabling.

 

[palladin9479]

Yeah just more reason to stay away from Windows 11 until 12 is almost out. Then you can install 11 and run a privacy cleanup program, by then MS software development teams will be focused on making 12 into a data miner and won't bother fighting back.

 

[Alvar "Miles" Udell]

You missed the part where it says "Unlike Google and Apple which are opt-in (you must choose to enter), OneDrive is now opt-out (you must choose to get out). Since OneDrive is not an essential tool of the OS, it should be a service offered to you, instead of being a default that needs disabling.

No, I didn't miss it, and I'm also 100% sure that when I setup OneDrive years ago I had to specifically tell it not to automatically back up everything in my personal folder and desktop, so it was always opt-out.

As for not being an essential service, I disagree, it is an essential service as making backups is essential, and there are still -way- too many people who don't make their own backups, so Microsoft doing it for them is not a bad thing.

 

[35below0]

There's a degree to which we can control our privacy

Like not putting private files into user folders offered by the OS? you can keep files anywhere you like and share or back up and sync folders of your choosing. Even IF user folders like Pictures, Music, etc. are going to be forcibly synced and not opt-out or opt-in, you can keep them empty.

That is what i do. I don't need silly Microsoft handholding me to the degree of making baby folders for me. I make my own folders.

Some of the backup and sync options aren't even bad. Being able to keep personalization, language settings, wifi, accessibility settings synced across multiple computers or laptops can be useful.
As for OneDrive, it can be improved but the basic idea is sensible. Just don't keep private or sensitive files in user folders.

 

[CelicaGT]

I expect like most things of this nature, it's US only. Opt out only is illegal in many countries, including the one in which I reside.

 

[JTWrenn]

Pretty sure what this is, is that onedrive on sign in no longer asks if you want to then you have to say yes...but rather it is set to yes and you have to change it to no.

It's a difference but you have to use a microsoft account, and it doesn't force you to do it so much as it is now an opt out rather than an opt in.

"Onedrive backup goes opt out instead of opt in"

That is what your headline should be

Edit: I mean you even say it at the top of the forums but not at the top of the article
"OneDrive backup and syncing becomes an opt-out feature for Windows 11."

Very click baity headline if even your forum topic tones it down.

 

[Darkbreeze]

"While Apple and Google offer online backups on their devices, these are opt-in, and you can always decline them before either of them starts syncing your device contents. However, Microsoft is irking its users by turning on OneDrive backups by default"

Irking? Oh no. More like, really fracking pissing people off. But this is nothing new for Microshaft.

 

[Colif]

If those are the only folders synced, why are people fleeing to linux?

Perhaps the endless articles warning that the sky is falling after any windows update.

 

[dotpoz]

Ah yes, exactly what I wanted, Microsoft having all my local files on their servers!!
It's probably encrypted--but like

No, it isn't

OneDrive Personal support only end-to-end encryption and they scan yours files "to detect harmful content "

Content detection

 

[evdjj3j]

If the only copy of your files is in OneDrive, you have already failed.

They make it difficult to back up the OneDrive folder. The old Win 7 Backup/Restore that worked pretty good and is still included in Win 11 wont see the OneDrive folder,I tried using it to backup the folder the other day.

 

[evdjj3j]

No, I didn't miss it, and I'm also 100% sure that when I setup OneDrive years ago I had to specifically tell it not to automatically back up everything in my personal folder and desktop, so it was always opt-out.

As for not being an essential service, I disagree, it is an essential service as making backups is essential, and there are still -way- too many people who don't make their own backups, so Microsoft doing it for them is not a bad thing.

OneDrive is not a proper backup and Windows blocks the built in backup from accessing the folder. Based on your comments I don't think your very familiar with OneDrive's quirks and how it operates.

 

[abufrejoval]

As for not being an essential service, I disagree, it is an essential service as making backups is essential, and there are still -way- too many people who don't make their own backups, so Microsoft doing it for them is not a bad thing.

Microsoft is ever so slowly adopting a Steve Jobs paradigm, that has potentially dramatic consequences.

And it's a decision on sovereignty Microsoft (and in fact also Apple) have no right to make without informed user consent and agreement.

"Users are so dumb the need to be helped" is the fruity cult approach that came from the iPod, which was only a music player, so one might argue that's ok. But now that the iPod has evolved into a digital prosthetic that manages all digital aspects of your life (and arguably the majority of all business and social ones), that's an overreach that wasn't anticipated, nor ever properly regulated or managed.

Data can quite simply get you into trouble and even killed. It's one of those lessons taught by the Holocaust to at least my generation of Germans and why we're so bent on data protection and data avoidance.

And Microsoft has proven again and again and again, that they are humans who automate mistakes. And then your data leaks or is being commandeered by someone Microsoft cannot or doesn't want to say no to.

Just to illustrate:
I have pictures of small naked children.
I really would like to keep them.
They are my own (the kids and the pictures), cherished mementos of them playing in the bathtub more than twenty years ago.

Now just imagine what happens once OneDrive decides ot replicate them after a patchday and does the content checking many governments want to make mandatory because of potential child abuse and pornography...

And if an AI could tell that they are my own, that would be even worse...

 

[nickc120167z]

MS accounts are a bad idea.
Customer moved from MT to FL and lost power cord to all in one computer running win 11.
Sold them power cord and tested was able to log in. Customer called back a hour later and MS forcing them to change PIN due to suspicious activity and needs password to MS account to change PIN to log on. Customer has no idea what password is since they only used password when creating account. Customer has no cell phone and only uses hotmail for e mail. Customer tried logging into hotmail for password change from my computer but has code sent to hotmail account for verification. Try pass reset and MS wants to know the e mail addresses to last e mails sent and the subject of e mails (like anyone would remember this). Customer cannot access anything on computer and bitlocker is enabled so drive cannot be removed to recover personal files.

 

[vijosef]

So what's the problem? Microsoft [...] is no different than Google automatically backing up your settings and apps

And that's why I install my own OS on all my phones, completely degoogled, and I only install apps though f-droid/APK Mirror.

 

[salgado18]

And that's why I install my own OS on all my phones, completely degoogled, and I only install apps though f-droid/APK Mirror.

I like the idea, but with only a fraction of devices supported by LineageOS, it's not viable for almost anyone.

But we're talking PCs, so switching from Windows to Ubuntu, for example, is not that hard.

 

[DS426]

And that's why I install my own OS on all my phones, completely degoogled, and I only install apps though f-droid/APK Mirror.

But that's not the industry standard or expectation, which I believe was the point.

I believe the Windows ecosystem will absolutely become more clamped down as time goes on. The Windows XP and 7 holdouts are living evidence to this. Windows 12 will have a new kernel (realize that W11's is the same as W10's) and indeed will be more Apple-esque as for some reason, Microsoft idolizes Apple and chooses to follow in their footsteps rather than being a fearless leader. To be fair, Windows is a hacker's best friend, so IMO, any major steps to retire some of Windows oldest and most atricious security flaws would be an excellent step forward, even as it makes some new headaches for businesses and users stuck on legacy software.

Sorry, got off on a tangent. Yes, very clickbaity headline, lol.

 

[danny009]

all my libraries are on Onedrive already, sure makes logging onto a new system and being up and running a lot faster. Any file I create is backed up. Been like it for ages

The 3 folders it does are hardly new.

• Documents
• Pictures
• Desktop

that is hardly a backup. Just don't use the folders if you don't want it to take them.

I have had my music folder on it for ages as since I get 1tb of space with Office 365, I might as well use it.

Wow, that is a terrible mindset my dude.

"Why surrender? just let them kill us, its easier and faster"

 

[OneMoreUser]

all my libraries are on Onedrive already, sure makes logging onto a new system and being up and running a lot faster. Any file I create is backed up. Been like it for ages

The 3 folders it does are hardly new.

• Documents
• Pictures
• Desktop

that is hardly a backup. Just don't use the folders if you don't want it to take them.

I have had my music folder on it for ages as since I get 1tb of space with Office 365, I might as well use it.

Ever heard the expression "There is no such thing as a free lunch"?

 

[35below0]

Ever heard the expression "There is no such thing as a free lunch"?

Why should people not use OneDrive? I don't want it, but it is useful. I have used DropBox in the past for some documents. It's a pain in the nether regions imo but what i don't get here is why you're suggesting that storing files in a cloud service is an act of self harm or lunacy?

Also, it isn't free if he's got a 365 sub.

 

[UnCertainty08]

Pushing more users to Linux.
Gaming is getting better that's the only thing that's held me back.