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

OneDrive install on phone
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Microsoft has been working hard to wedge you into its ecosystem, and it appears to have taken one step further by making OneDrive backups an opt-out feature. OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud drive service, much like Google Drive and iCloud. It comes standard with 5GB of free storage for anyone who signs up for a Microsoft Account, which you’ll likely do from now on, since the company recently turned off the easy bypass to Windows 11’s online setup.

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, as discovered by Neowin, thus anyone who intends to complete a clean Windows 11 install is currently being surprised by OneDrive desktop icons and drive folders on their newly installed operating system. 

If you prefer backing up your files via the cloud, OneDrive is an excellent option, especially as it seamlessly syncs with Windows File Explorer. However, there are times when users want to only backup specific files, and there are also situations when you want a clean PC with no bloat. If that is the case, then automatic OneDrive synchronization with a new PC would indeed be an unwanted annoyance.

Microsoft has clearly been pushing its users towards its closed ecosystem. For example, the company removed official instructions on how to convert your Windows 11 Microsoft Account login into a local account from its guide page. So, if you didn’t install Windows 11 using the local account bypass, you have to find less-official results to find instructions on converting your login account. Microsoft Edge will ask you why you’re moving to Chrome if you download its installer. Furthermore, even if you’ve already set a different default browser, searching from the Start Menu will still pull up the results on Edge — one of the company’s shady practices when it comes to anti-competitive behavior in Windows 11.

In fairness to Microsoft, OneDrive is one of the more affordable cloud storage options on the market at $2 a month. It’s also quite a robust product, with features including file versions, which helps protect you in case of file loss or a ransomware attack. However, shoving it down users’ throats isn’t the way to go if you want them to pay for it. Instead, the company should make using OneDrive a more seamless experience so much so that people will want to use it over Google Drive or iCloud. Or at least it should ask users first if they want to turn on device syncing via OneDrive, so they can get a clean install if they want to.

Jowi Morales
Contributing Writer

Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.

  • Shirou
    Ah yes, exactly what I wanted, Microsoft having all my local files on their servers!!
    It's probably encrypted--but like
    Reply
  • ezst036
    Admin said:
    Microsoft now forces....

    It's a common theme.
    Reply
  • vijosef
    Giving your personal life to microsoft is the worst choice you can made. Microsoft has a long history of throwing the user to the trash, of changing the terms of the contract, and of having no obligations to the user.
    Reply
  • BTM18
    This is just not true. Installed windows 11 two days ago. Clean install...24H2
    Didn't FORCE me to upload files.
    Turned off one drive no problem.
    What is toms going on about now? Click bait BS?
    Reply
  • rgd1101
    BTM18 said:
    This is just not true. Installed windows 11 two days ago. Clean install...24H2
    Turned off one drive no problem.
    What is toms going on about now?
    "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"
    Reply
  • Dasboot5
    Easy fix use ccleaner and uninstall Onedrive completely or even better Revo.
    If you need to backup Box is a way better option.
    Reply
  • tamalero
    Dasboot5 said:
    Easy fix use ccleaner and uninstall Onedrive completely or even better Revo.
    If you need to backup Box is a way better option.
    Won't it reinstall itself on an update?
    Reply
  • OneMoreUser
    I think the EU will have some words for Microsoft about this.
    Just like they are having words with them, about how they shoves Team down the throat of Office customers, using the weight to kill competition.

    https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/25/microsofts-abusive-bundling-of-teams-office-products-breached-antitrust-rules-eu-says.html
    Reply
  • Colif
    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
    Desktopthat 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.
    Reply
  • cknobman
    Microsoft has finally pushed me far enough to want to take the time, effort, and cost to build my own NAS.

    I have so much in OneDrive and pay a monthly fee to keep it there.
    And allowing Microsoft to have full access to all my photos, personal files, etc...
    Which in turn gives any government agency, or potential highest bidder, access as well.

    Time to get my data out of the cloud.
    The cloud has been ruined by greed and lack of trust.

    Starting the project soon.
    Reply