Windows 11 set up is automatically enabling OneDrive folder back up for users

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https://www.ghacks.net/2024/06/25/windows-11-set-up-is-automatically-enabling-onedrive-folder-back-up-for-users/

Microsoft has made yet another silent change to the way the initial setup of Windows 11 works. The operating system is enabling the automatic folder backup to OneDrive, without informing the user about it…

OneDrive will back up your folders automatically on new installations of Windows 11
Neowin reports that a new installation of Windows 11 automatically turns on the OneDrive folder backup, so your Desktop Pictures, Documents, Music, and Videos directories get uploaded to the cloud without your permission.

You may ask, what is the big deal if Microsoft silently enabled automatic backup of folders to OneDrive? Well, if a user has a lot of data in their folders, they are going to hit the 5GB storage limit pretty quickly, and most people will not know what to do. This will allow the company to promote the Microsoft 365 plan, which non-tech savvy users may think is a good idea to pay for…

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windbg, Sky, lmacri

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No affected users are quoted as sources, and several commenters (one after testing) don’t believe it:

My suspicion is that if this is substantiated at all, the problem comes from a restore from a backup, which restores “folders, apps, settings, credentials” from the previous computer, quite possibly including this setting. But that’s not remotely what this article states.
…
I don’t think this is happening automatically as the title says. I think this is happening because people just click away things too easily. I just got the notification “Lets back up your PC” with sub text “Youve got 30 days of free storage, start backup to redeem your subscription trial” with a Back up button in accent colors and a lighter Cancel button. So I think many people are simply clicking this without realising they’re enabling a 30 day One Drive trial (with enough storage for their staff) that reverts to the free 5gb plan after 30 days, when most of the trouble first starts e.g. storage is full, buy more, etc.

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Alex5723

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But confirmed by Lance Whitney:

To confirm Neowin’s findings, I ran a clean Windows 11 setup on several PCs. At no time did the setup ask me if I wanted the folder backup enabled as it had done in the past. Afterward, checking the backup setting in OneDrive showed me that the backups were turned on for Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music, and Videos.

Windows 11 now turns on OneDrive folder backup without your permission

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windbg, TechTango, Alex5723, Cybertooth

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Microsoft is hardly alone in turning such features on by default. This writer has an iPhone that whinged piteously about iCloud being filled with backups and photos until either more space was purchased or the option found to shut it up.

Microsoft makes it harder to avoid OneDrive during new Windows 11 installs

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windbg

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Send your own email to Microsoft HERE:  buscond@microsoft.com

RE: Immediate Cease and Desist
Unauthorized File Transfer by Windows 11 OneDrive without Consent

TO: Microsoft Executive Team (buscond@microsoft.com):

I am writing to demand an immediate halt to Microsoft’s egregious practices of transferring users’ personal files such as private documents and photos to Microsoft servers without explicit consent and subsequently scanning this illegitimately obtained content for policy violations. This unauthorized appropriation and scrutiny of private data is unacceptable and potentially illegal. This unlawful practice recently started with new installations of Windows 11 and occurs without user consent or knowledge!

The core issues at hand are twofold:

1. Microsoft is taking possession of files without permission, effectively commandeering personal data under the guise of Windows 11 One-Drive “backup” without user consent or knowledge.

2. Microsoft is then scanning this unauthorized content for policy violations, despite having no right to possess or analyze these files in the first place.

This unauthorized transfer of files to Microsoft servers, followed by invasive content scanning, represents a severe breach of user trust and a flagrant violation of personal data rights. It is particularly alarming that this occurs as a Windows 11 “backup” feature of OneDrive without user consent, permission or disclosure.

I demand that Microsoft:

1. Immediately cease all unauthorized transfers of user files to Microsoft servers.
2. Stop all content scanning of files that were obtained without explicit user consent.
3. Provide a clear, simple method for users to opt out of any automatic file transfers.
4. Issue a public statement explaining these practices and outlining steps to rectify the situation.

Be advised that if these issues are not addressed promptly, they may warrant a class action lawsuit and investigation by relevant authorities, including the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission. The gravity of this unauthorized data appropriation and subsequent content scanning cannot be overstated.

Your current practices demonstrate a blatant disregard for user privacy and data ownership rights. Immediate and comprehensive action is required to rectify this breach of trust and violation of user rights.

I expect a detailed response within five business days, outlining the specific steps Microsoft will take to address these critical issues.

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I am by no means a Microsoft Fan Boy, however, we have all agreed to Microsoft’s terms:

“MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM
IF YOU LIVE IN (OR IF YOUR PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS IN) THE UNITED STATES, PLEASE READ THE BINDING ARBITRATION CLAUSE AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER IN SECTION 11. IT AFFECTS HOW DISPUTES ARE RESOLVED.
Thank you for choosing Microsoft!
Depending on how you obtained the Windows software, this is a license agreement between (i) you and the device manufacturer or software installer that distributes the software with your device; or (ii) you and Microsoft Corporation (or, based on where you live or, if a business, where your principal place of business is located, one of its affiliates) if you acquired the software from a retailer. Microsoft is the device manufacturer for devices produced by Microsoft or one of its affiliates, and Microsoft is the retailer if you acquired the software directly from Microsoft. If you are a volume license customer, use of this software is subject to your volume license agreement rather than this agreement.
This agreement describes your rights, obligations, and the conditions upon which you may use the Windows software. You should review the entire agreement, including any supplemental license terms that accompany the software and any linked terms, because all of the terms are important and together create this agreement that applies to you. You can review linked terms by pasting the (aka.ms/) link into a browser window.
By accepting this agreement or using the software, you agree to all of these terms, and consent to the transmission of certain information during activation and during your use of the software as per the privacy statement described in Section 3. If you do not accept and comply with these terms, you may not use the software or its features. You may contact the device manufacturer or installer, or your retailer if you purchased the software directly, to determine its return policy and return the software or device for a refund or credit under that policy. You must comply with that policy, which might require you to return the software with the entire device on which the software is installed for a refund or credit, if any.”

It’s just that simple.  I use OneDrive, but I have it setup to work my way, not Microsoft’s way.  Nothing goes to OneDrive that I don’t want to go to OneDrive.

 

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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This is happening to me right now. I’m trying to set up a new ASUS ROG desktop. I’ve tried to undo the activation of OneDrive, with no susccess. For example, if I open File Explorer, near the top of the list of folders is one labelled “Documents” with the light-blue icon which I beleive flags it as the Windows documents folder. If I open its properties, go to the Location tab, this shows as the location: C:\Users\young\OneDrive\Documentos. It’s not only in OneDrive, it’s not in English (maybe Spanish?). If I click “Restore Default”, it corrects itself: C:\Users\young\Documents. But if I then click “Apply” (or “OK”), I get a dialog box saying “The folder … does not exist. Would you like to create it?” I click “Yes”. It asks if I want to move files. I click “Yes”. Up pops a dialog box titled “The folder can’t be moved here”. Text is “Can’t move the folder because there is a folder in the same location that can’t be redirected. Access is denied.” There is no “Documents” folder there.

I have Office 365, and it is installed. I uninstalled OneDrive using Settings. But it is still there, it seems. How do you get OneDrive off the system?

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See the link in post #2581664 from @joep517 for a possible solution.

There are three different solutions at that link (from Microsoft), so check them all out to see which one might be the best overall for your situation.

Also, don’t overlook the tips inside the grey box at the top of that page from MS. One of those just might do the trick.

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young058

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Thanks for the reference to that post. The Microsoft post lists actions that one can take to deal with the situation where OneDrive is installed. That was not my problem. Basically, I had uninstalled OneDrive, but the user folders were still tied to the OneDrive folder. However, in the post itself there were suggestions to re-install and then uninstall OneDrive, and then try to resolve the problem. That helped. I was able to change the location of all the user folders except Documents. However, I was able to find a solution to that with some further searching: https://appuals.com/fix-cant-move-the-folder-because-there-is-a-folder-in-the-same-location-that-cant-be-redirected/ That describes a registry edit that worked for the Documents folder.

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Bob99

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