This is what I did.Ģ) The second intrusion feature (excuse me) of OneDrive is that Microsoft has made OneDrive the default storage location for all your Microsoft Office files. Do this and the OneDrive app can do nothing to your files and folders. Look at those settings and you'll see that you don't have to syncĪny of your folders at all, and you can even turn off syncing altogether. You have absolute power over the OneDrive app, and it's all there in the app's settings. OneDrive is not a backup - that's different. The idea of syncing is that all your devices have the same files, and whatever you do to your files on one device gets done on all your other devices. Or Google Drive or any other file syncing service. It's the idea of syncing that confuses people, and it's just as confusing whether you're using OneDrive Google has its own version of the OneDrive app called - wait for it - the Google Drive app. OneDrive actually works in two ways:ġ) You can use the OneDrive app to sync your files with OneDrive. I'll start by saying that OneDrive is a terrific feature when you make it work the way you want it to work. Now you're ready to take control of (or, shall we say, wrest control from) OneDrive. If that's not how you changed the default storage locations for your personal folders, that will be a separate fix. The right way to do this is via the 'Location' tab in the Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures and Videos folders in your user account.
My computer is setup the same way as yours: software and personal data are in separate partitions.
I totally ignore dozens of Windows 10 features, and there's nothing wrong with that. There's your first lesson: Just because Windows provides a feature, Regardless of those reasons, you're not required to use it, if you don't want to. The OneDrive app is installed by default in Windows 10, and for good reasons. The Windows registry is like putting up a sign in your window that says "come and get me." The solution is to setup your computer the way it was designed to be used, and then take control. Oh no, my friend - you are unwittingly contributing to your own downfall! But not to worry: this is an easy fix if you work through it step by step.