Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from Windows
11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and uninstall
OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories back to the
Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example,
to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the
original Windows 11 default of c:\users\username\documents.

It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory >
properties > location > and then either "move" the directory to the
required directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails - the
directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to
anything other than the original Windows default because a) I don't want
to do that b) it might screw up something else.

I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest the
methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway. I can, of course,
leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd rather not if there is a
safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets, please?

Regards,

Bob

On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from Windows 11? I can turn off the
> directory backups to the cloud and uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories
> back to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example, to
> c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the original Windows 11 default of
> c:\users\username\documents.
>
> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory > properties >  location > and then
> either "move" the directory to the required directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails
> - the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to anything other than the
> original Windows default because a) I don't want to do that b) it might screw up something else.
>
> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest the methods should work, but
> they don't - not here anyway. I can, of course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd
> rather not if there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets, please?
>
> Regards,
>
> Bob
Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue. Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
issue. I found/created/stole these two batch files. I would tell you to run them but I'm not
sure they were my fix. Yeh! I know I'm not much help. But it might point you where to look.

-------------------------------------
@echo off
:: Created by: Shawn Brink
:: Created on: September 3, 2022
:: Tutorial:
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "Personal" /t
REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
"{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "Personal"
/t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f

attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
start explorer.exe
---------------------------------------------
@echo off
:: Created by: Shawn Brink
:: Created on: September 3, 2022
:: Tutorial:
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
"{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "My
Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f

attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
start explorer.exe
----------------------------------------------------------------
--
Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon 6.0.4
Al

On 21.3.24 2:10 pm, Big Al wrote:
> On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from Windows 11? I can turn off the
>> directory backups to the cloud and uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories
>> back to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example, to
>> c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the original Windows 11 default of
>> c:\users\username\documents.
>>
>> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory > properties >  location > and then
>> either "move" the directory to the required directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails
>> - the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to anything other than the
>> original Windows default because a) I don't want to do that b) it might screw up something else.
>>
>> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest the methods should work, but
>> they don't - not here anyway. I can, of course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd
>> rather not if there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets, please?
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Bob
> Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue. Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
> issue. I found/created/stole these two batch files. I would tell you to run them but I'm not
> sure they were my fix. Yeh! I know I'm not much help. But it might point you where to look.
>
> -------------------------------------
> @echo off
> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
> :: Tutorial:
> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/
>
> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
> timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "Personal" /t
> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
> "{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "Personal"
> /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>
> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
> timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
> start explorer.exe
> ---------------------------------------------
> @echo off
> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
> :: Tutorial:
> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/
>
> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
> timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
> "{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "My
> Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>
> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
> timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
> start explorer.exe
> ----------------------------------------------------------------

I'm not sure I known enough about batch files to work out if they would
work or not, so I daren't just run them - but I'll compare then with
some others I saw and see if I can verify them. Thanks anyway.

--
Tetbury, Gloucestershire , UK

On 21/03/2024 14:25, Bob Henson wrote:
> On 21.3.24 2:10 pm, Big Al wrote:
>> On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>>> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from
>>> Windows 11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and
>>> uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories back
>>> to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory,
>>> for example, to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset
>>> this to the original Windows 11 default of c:\users\username\documents.
>>>
>>> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory >
>>> properties >  location > and then either "move" the directory to the
>>> required directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails -
>>> the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to
>>> anything other than the original Windows default because a) I don't
>>> want to do that b) it might screw up something else.
>>>
>>> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest
>>> the methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway. I can, of
>>> course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd rather not if
>>> there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets,
>>> please?
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Bob
>> Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue.
>> Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
>> issue.   I found/created/stole these two batch files.   I would tell
>> you to run them but I'm not
>> sure they were my fix.   Yeh! I know I'm not much help.   But it might
>> point you where to look.
>>
>> -------------------------------------
>> @echo off
>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>> :: Tutorial:
>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/
>>
>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
>> Folders" /v "Personal" /t
>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
>> Shell Folders" /v
>> "{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d
>> %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
>> Shell Folders" /v "Personal"
>> /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>
>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
>> start explorer.exe
>> ---------------------------------------------
>> @echo off
>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>> :: Tutorial:
>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/
>>
>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
>> Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
>> Shell Folders" /v
>> "{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d
>> %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
>> Shell Folders" /v "My
>> Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>
>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
>> start explorer.exe
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> I'm not sure I known enough about batch files to work out if they would
> work or not, so I daren't just run them - but I'll compare then with
> some others I saw and see if I can verify them. Thanks anyway.
>
>
>
The classic Windows folders in File Explorer are just shortcuts. Right
click (e.g.) Documents, select Properties, select the Location tab,
change the location to your preference.

I am writing this on Win 11. With the brand new PC I turned off the
option for One Drive to start at boot up and it has never troubled me or
changed the default folder locations.

On 3/21/24 11:44 AM, MikeS wrote:
> On 21/03/2024 14:25, Bob Henson wrote:
>> On 21.3.24 2:10 pm, Big Al wrote:
>>> On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>>>> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from Windows 11? I can turn off the
>>>> directory backups to the cloud and uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive
>>>> directories back to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example,
>>>> to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the original Windows 11 default
>>>> of c:\users\username\documents.
>>>>
>>>> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory > properties >  location > and then
>>>> either "move" the directory to the required directory or reset to "default". This is where it
>>>> fails - the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to anything other
>>>> than the original Windows default because a) I don't want to do that b) it might screw up
>>>> something else.
>>>>
>>>> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest the methods should work, but
>>>> they don't - not here anyway. I can, of course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd
>>>> rather not if there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets, please?
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Bob
>>> Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue. Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
>>> issue.   I found/created/stole these two batch files.   I would tell you to run them but I'm not
>>> sure they were my fix.   Yeh! I know I'm not much help.   But it might point you where to look.
>>>
>>> -------------------------------------
>>> @echo off
>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>> :: Tutorial:
>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/
>>>
>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "Personal" /t
>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
>>> "{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "Personal"
>>> /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>>
>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
>>> start explorer.exe
>>> ---------------------------------------------
>>> @echo off
>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>> :: Tutorial:
>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/
>>>
>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
>>> "{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "My
>>> Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>>
>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
>>> start explorer.exe
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> I'm not sure I known enough about batch files to work out if they would work or not, so I daren't
>> just run them - but I'll compare then with some others I saw and see if I can verify them. Thanks
>> anyway.
>>
>>
>>
> The classic Windows folders in File Explorer are just shortcuts. Right click (e.g.) Documents,
> select Properties, select the Location tab, change the location to your preference.
>
> I am writing this on Win 11. With the brand new PC I turned off the option for One Drive to start at
> boot up and it has never troubled me or changed the default folder locations.
>
It's not the desktop icons that killed me. Sure you can change shotcuts all day long. I can't give
the exact example but there are programs that look in the registry for "MyDocuments" or "MyPictures"
or whatever you call them, to save files or access files.

It wouldn't show up in Firefox, you set the downloads directory, but maybe Word or LibreOffice
trying to save the first time. It wants 'mydocs'. It's not looking at shortcuts.
--
Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon 6.0.4
Al

On Thu, 21 Mar 2024 11:52:27 -0400, Big Al <alan@invalid.com> wrote:

>> The classic Windows folders in File Explorer are just shortcuts. Right click (e.g.) Documents,
>> select Properties, select the Location tab, change the location to your preference.
>>
>> I am writing this on Win 11. With the brand new PC I turned off the option for One Drive to start at
>> boot up and it has never troubled me or changed the default folder locations.
>>
>It's not the desktop icons that killed me. Sure you can change shotcuts all day long. I can't give
>the exact example but there are programs that look in the registry for "MyDocuments" or "MyPictures"
>or whatever you call them, to save files or access files.
>
>It wouldn't show up in Firefox, you set the downloads directory, but maybe Word or LibreOffice
>trying to save the first time. It wants 'mydocs'. It's not looking at shortcuts.

I've had the locations of Data, Photos and Downloads routed to a NAS
for years and haven't had any problems, and I have OneDrive on the PC.
I notice that if I look at the OneDrive properties, in File Explorer,
there's an option under sharing to turn off sharing, which is set on
my system. Might that help the OP?

On 3/21/2024 10:25 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
> On 21.3.24 2:10 pm, Big Al wrote:
>> On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>>> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from Windows 11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories back to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example, to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the original Windows 11 default of c:\users\username\documents.
>>>
>>> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory > properties >  location > and then either "move" the directory to the required directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails - the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to anything other than the original Windows default because a) I don't want to do that b) it might screw up something else.
>>>
>>> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest the methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway. I can, of course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd rather not if there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets, please?
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Bob
>> Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue.  Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
>> issue.   I found/created/stole these two batch files.   I would tell you to run them but I'm not
>> sure they were my fix.   Yeh! I know I'm not much help.   But it might point you where to look.
>>
>> -------------------------------------
>> @echo off
>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>> :: Tutorial:
>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/
>>
>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "Personal" /t
>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
>> "{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "Personal"
>> /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>
>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
>> start explorer.exe
>> ---------------------------------------------
>> @echo off
>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>> :: Tutorial:
>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/
>>
>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
>> "{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "My
>> Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>
>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
>> start explorer.exe
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> I'm not sure I known enough about batch files to work out if they would work or not, so I daren't just run them - but I'll compare then with some others I saw and see if I can verify them. Thanks anyway.
>

The Safety Protocol is to use a backup of C: , and be thoroughly familiar
with backup and restore practices.

Some people have made no provision whatsoever, for the Safety Protocol, and
don't even have backup software of note. For those people, I would not
recommend "raw" execution of scripts, without an explicit "Undo".

Then if you muck about with C: and "something bad happens",
you have recourse. Restore from your backup.

I label my backups like this.

Win11-C-Before-Shawn-Brink-Script-ERASEME.mrimg

That means the file can be safely deleted, any time after the
experiment is completed, and it was successful. Using my search
box, I just search for all instances of ERASEME, to do disk cleaning.
And all the accumulated temp backups go into the Trash.

Paul

On 21/03/2024 15:52, Big Al wrote:
> On 3/21/24 11:44 AM, MikeS wrote:
>> On 21/03/2024 14:25, Bob Henson wrote:
>>> On 21.3.24 2:10 pm, Big Al wrote:
>>>> On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>>>>> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from
>>>>> Windows 11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and
>>>>> uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories
>>>>> back to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents
>>>>> directory, for example, to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I
>>>>> cannot reset this to the original Windows 11 default of
>>>>> c:\users\username\documents.
>>>>>
>>>>> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory >
>>>>> properties >  location > and then either "move" the directory to
>>>>> the required directory or reset to "default". This is where it
>>>>> fails - the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the
>>>>> directory to anything other than the original Windows default
>>>>> because a) I don't want to do that b) it might screw up something
>>>>> else.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest
>>>>> the methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway. I can,
>>>>> of course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd rather
>>>>> not if there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system
>>>>> resets, please?
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Bob
>>>> Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue.
>>>> Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
>>>> issue.   I found/created/stole these two batch files.   I would tell
>>>> you to run them but I'm not
>>>> sure they were my fix.   Yeh! I know I'm not much help.   But it
>>>> might point you where to look.
>>>>
>>>> -------------------------------------
>>>> @echo off
>>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>>> :: Tutorial:
>>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/
>>>>
>>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
>>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
>>>> reg add
>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
>>>> Folders" /v "Personal" /t
>>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
>>>> reg add
>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
>>>> Folders" /v
>>>> "{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d
>>>> %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>>> reg add
>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
>>>> Folders" /v "Personal"
>>>> /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>>>
>>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
>>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
>>>> start explorer.exe
>>>> ---------------------------------------------
>>>> @echo off
>>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>>> :: Tutorial:
>>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/
>>>>
>>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
>>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
>>>> reg add
>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
>>>> Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
>>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
>>>> reg add
>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
>>>> Folders" /v
>>>> "{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d
>>>> %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>>> reg add
>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
>>>> Folders" /v "My
>>>> Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>>>
>>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
>>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
>>>> start explorer.exe
>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm not sure I known enough about batch files to work out if they
>>> would work or not, so I daren't just run them - but I'll compare then
>>> with some others I saw and see if I can verify them. Thanks anyway.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> The classic Windows folders in File Explorer are just shortcuts. Right
>> click (e.g.) Documents, select Properties, select the Location tab,
>> change the location to your preference.
>>
>> I am writing this on Win 11. With the brand new PC I turned off the
>> option for One Drive to start at boot up and it has never troubled me
>> or changed the default folder locations.
>>
> It's not the desktop icons that killed me.  Sure you can change shotcuts
> all day long.  I can't give the exact example but there are programs
> that look in the registry for "MyDocuments" or "MyPictures" or whatever
> you call them, to save files or access files.
>
Look here in the registry:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders
The long list of keys includes all the "My" locations except Documents
which for reasons known only to Microsoft is now called Personal.

Check that they point where you want. All mine use this format for the
value:
%USERPROFILE%\Documents
If that doesn't work for you change it to this for format:
C:\Users\YOURNAME\Documents

Be careful to logout and login back, or even reboot, after each change
to be sure the modifications are effective.

On 21/03/2024 18:40, MikeS wrote:
> On 21/03/2024 15:52, Big Al wrote:
>> On 3/21/24 11:44 AM, MikeS wrote:
>>> On 21/03/2024 14:25, Bob Henson wrote:
>>>> On 21.3.24 2:10 pm, Big Al wrote:
>>>>> On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>>>>>> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from
>>>>>> Windows 11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and
>>>>>> uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories
>>>>>> back to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents
>>>>>> directory, for example, to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I
>>>>>> cannot reset this to the original Windows 11 default of
>>>>>> c:\users\username\documents.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory >
>>>>>> properties >  location > and then either "move" the directory to
>>>>>> the required directory or reset to "default". This is where it
>>>>>> fails - the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the
>>>>>> directory to anything other than the original Windows default
>>>>>> because a) I don't want to do that b) it might screw up something
>>>>>> else.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found
>>>>>> suggest the methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway.
>>>>>> I can, of course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd
>>>>>> rather not if there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving
>>>>>> complete system resets, please?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bob
>>>>> Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue.
>>>>> Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
>>>>> issue.   I found/created/stole these two batch files.   I would
>>>>> tell you to run them but I'm not
>>>>> sure they were my fix.   Yeh! I know I'm not much help.   But it
>>>>> might point you where to look.
>>>>>
>>>>> -------------------------------------
>>>>> @echo off
>>>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>>>> :: Tutorial:
>>>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/
>>>>>
>>>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
>>>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
>>>>> reg add
>>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
>>>>> Folders" /v "Personal" /t
>>>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
>>>>> reg add
>>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
>>>>> Folders" /v
>>>>> "{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d
>>>>> %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>>>> reg add
>>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
>>>>> Folders" /v "Personal"
>>>>> /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>>>>
>>>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
>>>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
>>>>> start explorer.exe
>>>>> ---------------------------------------------
>>>>> @echo off
>>>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>>>> :: Tutorial:
>>>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/
>>>>>
>>>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
>>>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
>>>>> reg add
>>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
>>>>> Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
>>>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
>>>>> reg add
>>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
>>>>> Folders" /v
>>>>> "{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d
>>>>> %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>>>> reg add
>>>>> "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell
>>>>> Folders" /v "My
>>>>> Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>>>>
>>>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
>>>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
>>>>> start explorer.exe
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I'm not sure I known enough about batch files to work out if they
>>>> would work or not, so I daren't just run them - but I'll compare
>>>> then with some others I saw and see if I can verify them. Thanks
>>>> anyway.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> The classic Windows folders in File Explorer are just shortcuts.
>>> Right click (e.g.) Documents, select Properties, select the Location
>>> tab, change the location to your preference.
>>>
>>> I am writing this on Win 11. With the brand new PC I turned off the
>>> option for One Drive to start at boot up and it has never troubled me
>>> or changed the default folder locations.
>>>
>> It's not the desktop icons that killed me.  Sure you can change
>> shotcuts all day long.  I can't give the exact example but there are
>> programs that look in the registry for "MyDocuments" or "MyPictures"
>> or whatever you call them, to save files or access files.
>>
> Look here in the registry:
> Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
> The long list of keys includes all the "My" locations except Documents
> which for reasons known only to Microsoft is now called Personal.
>
> Check that they point where you want. All mine use this format for the
> value:
> %USERPROFILE%\Documents
> If that doesn't work for you go to this location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders
and change its entry to this format:> C:\Users\YOURNAME\Documents
>
> Be careful to logout and login back, or even reboot, after each change
> to be sure the modifications are effective.
>
>
Forgot to mention the second change is a separate registry location. See
my edit above.

On 21.3.24 3:44 pm, MikeS wrote:
> On 21/03/2024 14:25, Bob Henson wrote:
>> On 21.3.24 2:10 pm, Big Al wrote:
>>> On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>>>> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from
>>>> Windows 11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and
>>>> uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories back
>>>> to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory,
>>>> for example, to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset
>>>> this to the original Windows 11 default of c:\users\username\documents.
>>>>
>>>> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory >
>>>> properties >  location > and then either "move" the directory to the
>>>> required directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails -
>>>> the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to
>>>> anything other than the original Windows default because a) I don't
>>>> want to do that b) it might screw up something else.
>>>>
>>>> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest
>>>> the methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway. I can, of
>>>> course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd rather not if
>>>> there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets,
>>>> please?
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Bob
>>> Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue.
>>> Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
>>> issue.   I found/created/stole these two batch files.   I would tell
>>> you to run them but I'm not
>>> sure they were my fix.   Yeh! I know I'm not much help.   But it might
>>> point you where to look.
>>>
>>> -------------------------------------
>>> @echo off
>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>> :: Tutorial:
>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/
>>>
>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
>>> Folders" /v "Personal" /t
>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
>>> Shell Folders" /v
>>> "{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d
>>> %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
>>> Shell Folders" /v "Personal"
>>> /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>>
>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
>>> start explorer.exe
>>> ---------------------------------------------
>>> @echo off
>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>> :: Tutorial:
>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/
>>>
>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
>>> Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
>>> Shell Folders" /v
>>> "{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d
>>> %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
>>> Shell Folders" /v "My
>>> Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>>
>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
>>> start explorer.exe
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> I'm not sure I known enough about batch files to work out if they would
>> work or not, so I daren't just run them - but I'll compare then with
>> some others I saw and see if I can verify them. Thanks anyway.
>>
>>
>>
> The classic Windows folders in File Explorer are just shortcuts. Right
> click (e.g.) Documents, select Properties, select the Location tab,
> change the location to your preference.
>

It doesn't work here.

--
Tetbury, Gloucestershire , UK

On 21.3.24 4:43 pm, Peter Johnson wrote:
> On Thu, 21 Mar 2024 11:52:27 -0400, Big Al <alan@invalid.com> wrote:
>
>
>>> The classic Windows folders in File Explorer are just shortcuts. Right click (e.g.) Documents,
>>> select Properties, select the Location tab, change the location to your preference.
>>>
>>> I am writing this on Win 11. With the brand new PC I turned off the option for One Drive to start at
>>> boot up and it has never troubled me or changed the default folder locations.
>>>
>>It's not the desktop icons that killed me. Sure you can change shotcuts all day long. I can't give
>>the exact example but there are programs that look in the registry for "MyDocuments" or "MyPictures"
>>or whatever you call them, to save files or access files.
>>
>>It wouldn't show up in Firefox, you set the downloads directory, but maybe Word or LibreOffice
>>trying to save the first time. It wants 'mydocs'. It's not looking at shortcuts.
>
> I've had the locations of Data, Photos and Downloads routed to a NAS
> for years and haven't had any problems, and I have OneDrive on the PC.
> I notice that if I look at the OneDrive properties, in File Explorer,
> there's an option under sharing to turn off sharing, which is set on
> my system. Might that help the OP?

Do you mean sharing as in network sharing rather than OneDrive sharing
the files with the cloud?

--
Tetbury, Gloucestershire , UK

On 21.3.24 5:00 pm, Paul wrote:
> On 3/21/2024 10:25 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>> On 21.3.24 2:10 pm, Big Al wrote:
>>> On 3/21/24 05:09 AM, Bob Henson wrote:
>>>> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from Windows 11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and uninstall OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories back to the Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example, to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the original Windows 11 default of c:\users\username\documents.
>>>>
>>>> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory > properties >  location > and then either "move" the directory to the required directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails - the directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to anything other than the original Windows default because a) I don't want to do that b) it might screw up something else.
>>>>
>>>> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest the methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway. I can, of course, leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd rather not if there is a safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets, please?
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Bob
>>> Read between the lines on this, but I had the same issue.  Picture,Documents seemed to be my worst
>>> issue.   I found/created/stole these two batch files.   I would tell you to run them but I'm not
>>> sure they were my fix.   Yeh! I know I'm not much help.   But it might point you where to look.
>>>
>>> -------------------------------------
>>> @echo off
>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>> :: Tutorial:
>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-documents-folder-in-windows-11.8708/
>>>
>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak >nul
>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Documents" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Documents"
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "Personal" /t
>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
>>> "{f42ee2d3-909f-4907-8871-4c22fc0bf756}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "Personal"
>>> /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Documents" /f
>>>
>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /S /D
>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak >nul
>>> start explorer.exe
>>> ---------------------------------------------
>>> @echo off
>>> :: Created by: Shawn Brink
>>> :: Created on: September 3, 2022
>>> :: Tutorial:
>>> https://www.elevenforum.com/t/move-or-restore-default-location-of-pictures-folder-in-windows-11.8711/
>>>
>>> taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
>>> timeout /t 2 /nobreak>null
>>> if not exist "%UserProfile%\Pictures" mkdir "%UserProfile%\Pictures"
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "My Pictures" /t
>>> REG_SZ /d "C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Pictures" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v
>>> "{0DDD015D-B06C-45D5-8C4C-F59713854639}" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>> reg add "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders" /v "My
>>> Pictures" /t REG_EXPAND_SZ /d %%USERPROFILE%%"\Pictures" /f
>>>
>>> attrib +r -s -h "%USERPROFILE%\Pictures" /S /D
>>> timeout /t 1 /nobreak>null
>>> start explorer.exe
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>> I'm not sure I known enough about batch files to work out if they would work or not, so I daren't just run them - but I'll compare then with some others I saw and see if I can verify them. Thanks anyway.
>>
>
> The Safety Protocol is to use a backup of C: , and be thoroughly familiar
> with backup and restore practices.
>
> Some people have made no provision whatsoever, for the Safety Protocol, and
> don't even have backup software of note. For those people, I would not
> recommend "raw" execution of scripts, without an explicit "Undo".
>
> Then if you muck about with C: and "something bad happens",
> you have recourse. Restore from your backup.
>
> I label my backups like this.
>
> Win11-C-Before-Shawn-Brink-Script-ERASEME.mrimg
>
> That means the file can be safely deleted, any time after the
> experiment is completed, and it was successful. Using my search
> box, I just search for all instances of ERASEME, to do disk cleaning.
> And all the accumulated temp backups go into the Trash.
>
> Paul

That would certainly make sense.

--
Tetbury, Gloucestershire , UK

Bob Henson wrote on 3/21/24 2:09 AM:
> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from Windows
> 11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and uninstall
> OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories back to the Windows
> 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example, to
> c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the original
> Windows 11 default of c:\users\username\documents.
>
> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory > properties
> >  location > and then either "move" the directory to the required
> directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails - the directory
> won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to anything other
> than the original Windows default because a) I don't want to do that b)
> it might screw up something else.
>
> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest the
> methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway. I can, of course,
> leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd rather not if there is a
> safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets, please?
>
> Regards,
>
> Bob
First:
=> c:\users\username\documents was never the Windows 11(10 or 8)
default for OneDrive(OD)

- even when configuring OD for an alternate location the created path
will always include the 'OneDrive' variable in the folder full path.
- i.e. at best the location for OD files can be changed via the option to
do so after unlinking OD and opening a 'new' session of OD but the new
configured location will have the 'OneDrive' name in the path with the
system type folders that are conofigured to sync below it - Documents,
Pictures, Music etc.

Second,
I would not follow the majority of advice provided in this thread.

Third.
OneDrive is integrated into Windows so complete removal is not entirely
possible.

Your approach should be in the following order and I'd recommend starting
with with OD open and logged on.
0. If Office or M365 Office is installed, open each program and its
settings and ensure OD is not the default save location(Word, Excel,
Powerpoint, etc.)
- uncheck 'AutoSave files stored in the Cloud
- Check(enable) Save to Computer by default. If desired set/configure
the 'Default local file location.

With OD open and logged on
1. Disable OD backup
=>rt click OD icon on Taskbar, Settings/Sync and backup/Manage
Backup/<disable, slider to off all items>/Save Changes
2. In Sync and Backup, expand all items and disable(slider to off
position) all items, including the options in Advanced Settings
3. Leave the Sync and backup window open(i.e. Do not close or exit it)
4. Open TaskManager to its startup tabs, verify OD(Onedrive.exe) is not
configured to open on Windows startup/logon. If present and enabled,
disable it.
5. Go back to Sync and Backup window, click Account
- click Choose folders, uncheck all items, click OK
- click Unlink this PC
6. Don't open OD in the future!
- if you do, you will be prompted to reinitiate the OD setup for its
coded defaults and the option(look closely) to choose a different folder
than the OD pre-coded default location or if not chosen accepts its
default location on your C: drive. If done, you will have effectively
reset everything you did in step 1 through 5.

--
....w¡ñ§±¤ñ

Bob Henson wrote:

> OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example, to
> c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the
> original Windows 11 default of c:\users\username\documents.

I have OneDrive in use (the business version, not the personal one) if I
right click my "Documents" folder as shown in the top level under
"Desktop" within File Explorer, then select properties, it has a
[Move...] button

On 2024-03-21 5:09 a.m., Bob Henson wrote:
> Has anyone managed to successfully remove OneDrive entirely from Windows
> 11? I can turn off the directory backups to the cloud and uninstall
> OneDrive, but I cannot reset the OneDrive directories back to the
> Windows 11 defaults. OneDrive sets the documents directory, for example,
> to c:\users\username\onedrive\documents. I cannot reset this to the
> original Windows 11 default of c:\users\username\documents.
>
> It should be simple - right click the new OneDrive directory >
> properties >  location > and then either "move" the directory to the
> required directory or reset to "default". This is where it fails - the
> directory won't reset. I haven't tried resetting the directory to
> anything other than the original Windows default because a) I don't want
> to do that b) it might screw up something else.
>
> I've googled it extensively and all the articles I've found suggest the
> methods should work, but they don't - not here anyway. I can, of course,
> leave well alone and carry on as now - but I'd rather not if there is a
> safe way. Any ideas not involving complete system resets, please?
>
> Regards,
>
> Bob

The only solution I found was to install Windows 10 first, then upgrade
to Windows 11. The Windows 11 installation process forces you to log in
with your Microsoft account, which has a consequence of using the
OneDrive folder by default.

On Sun, 21 Apr 2024 21:14:20 -0400, RabidPedagog wrote:
> The Windows 11 installation process forces you to log in
> with your Microsoft account, which has a consequence of using the
> OneDrive folder by default.

I don't know about whether the Microsoft login triggers use of the
OneDrive folder, but I _do_ know that you don't have to use a
Microsoft account to install Windows 11. I didn't. I can't recall
exactly what I had to do, but a little googling gave me the solution
and it wasn't difficult.

--
Stan Brown, Tehachapi, California, USA https://BrownMath.com/
Shikata ga nai...

Stan Brown wrote on 4/24/24 12:07 PM:
> On Sun, 21 Apr 2024 21:14:20 -0400, RabidPedagog wrote:
>> The Windows 11 installation process forces you to log in
>> with your Microsoft account, which has a consequence of using the
>> OneDrive folder by default.
>
> I don't know about whether the Microsoft login triggers use of the
> OneDrive folder, but I _do_ know that you don't have to use a
> Microsoft account to install Windows 11. I didn't. I can't recall. ther
> exactly what I had to do, but a little googling gave me the solution
> and it wasn't difficult.
>
>
>

Office can be used in a Microsft or Local Windows logon account.
Neither trigger OneDrive when OneDrive is unlinked.

Office 2013 or later(M365 or stand-alone versions)requires a MSFT
account(MSA) login.
Initially, the MSA logon is used to install and activate Office(for use
of its included/installed programs).
There after that same logon is used to verify you are a licensed owner or
user[1] of the product. Office is coded to periodically verify(during
use) the licensed user.

Once an Office program is opened and the MSA logged on, it auto-connects
to that MSA's OneDrive.
=> It does not matter if the OneDrive app is open or running
resident(i.e. it can be completely unlinked).
=> Connecting OneDrive in Office does not mean it's being used.
Office's program 'Options' settings determine the extent of OneDrive
integration(use, save, etc.)

[1] Note: - For some M365 versions license can be shared.
e.g. M365 Family can share with 5 additional users via the owners M365
management subscription portal - those are shared/invited via an invite
to the recipient's email address - that invited address will become an
MSA once setup).

Back to the OP's request.
OneDrive folders are like virtual folders that have the ability to be
synced in whole or part(in both directions - up/down) locally or
externally with the MSA user's OneDrive.

The op should ignore the OneDrive folders.
- with OneDrive unlinked, the local content can be copied to the user
profile's documents folder or another folder.
- with OneDrive unlinked, the files/subfolders in the OneDrive main
folders contents can be deleted. Thereafter ignore the OneDrive folders.

--
....w¡ñ§±¤ñ

On 25.4.24 12:27 am, ...w¡ñ§±¤ñ wrote:

> The op should ignore the OneDrive folders.

"Can" ignore them, but doesn't want to have to ignore them - that's what
I'm doing now.

> - with OneDrive unlinked, the local content can be copied to the user
> profile's documents folder or another folder.

The content can - but the default Windows 11 folder cannot be reset.
There is a mechanism for doing it, but it doesn't work - hence my question.

> - with OneDrive unlinked, the files/subfolders in the OneDrive main
> folders contents can be deleted. Thereafter ignore the OneDrive folders.

They can, but Windows 11 puts all new files thereafter in the old
OneDrive folder.

--
Tetbury, Gloucestershire , UK

Bob Henson wrote on 4/25/24 1:54 AM:
> On 25.4.24 12:27 am, ...w¡ñ§±¤ñ wrote:
>
>> The op should ignore the OneDrive folders.
>
> "Can" ignore them, but doesn't want to have to ignore them - that's what
> I'm doing now.
>
>>    - with OneDrive unlinked, the local content can be copied to the user
>> profile's documents folder or another folder.
>
> The content can - but the default Windows 11 folder cannot be reset.
> There is a mechanism for doing it, but it doesn't work - hence my question.
>
>
>>    - with OneDrive unlinked, the files/subfolders in the OneDrive main
>> folders contents can be deleted. Thereafter ignore the OneDrive folders.
>
> They can, but Windows 11 puts all new files thereafter in the old
> OneDrive folder.
>
>

Define the 'new' files(file extension) being placed in the old OneDrive
folder.
- include what you mean that 'Windows' o/s is placing those files in
that OneDrive folder or does it indicate software used in Windows is
placing files in that folder. If the former, what part of Windows is
saving/placing files in that folder.

.

--
....w¡ñ§±¤ñ

On 25.4.24 10:08 am, ...w¡ñ§±¤ñ wrote:
> Bob Henson wrote on 4/25/24 1:54 AM:
>> On 25.4.24 12:27 am, ...w¡ñ§±¤ñ wrote:
>>
>>> The op should ignore the OneDrive folders.
>>
>> "Can" ignore them, but doesn't want to have to ignore them - that's what
>> I'm doing now.
>>
>>>    - with OneDrive unlinked, the local content can be copied to the user
>>> profile's documents folder or another folder.
>>
>> The content can - but the default Windows 11 folder cannot be reset.
>> There is a mechanism for doing it, but it doesn't work - hence my question.
>>
>>
>>>    - with OneDrive unlinked, the files/subfolders in the OneDrive main
>>> folders contents can be deleted. Thereafter ignore the OneDrive folders.
>>
>> They can, but Windows 11 puts all new files thereafter in the old
>> OneDrive folder.
>>
>>
>
> Define the 'new' files(file extension) being placed in the old OneDrive
> folder.
> - include what you mean that 'Windows' o/s is placing those files in
> that OneDrive folder or does it indicate software used in Windows is
> placing files in that folder. If the former, what part of Windows is
> saving/placing files in that folder.
>

The OneDrive folder remains the default folder where Windows puts all
documents etc that are not forced into another directory with "save as."

--
Tetbury, Gloucestershire , UK

Bob Henson wrote:

[snip]

>
> The OneDrive folder remains the default folder where Windows puts all
> documents etc that are not forced into another directory with "save as."

No. All the MS applications (Word, Excel, etc) have a default setting
that can be changed by the user.

--
Graham J

On 25.4.24 12:19 pm, Graham J wrote:
> Bob Henson wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
>>
>> The OneDrive folder remains the default folder where Windows puts all
>> documents etc that are not forced into another directory with "save as."
>
> No. All the MS applications (Word, Excel, etc) have a default setting
> that can be changed by the user.
>
>

Yes, but they all default to the Onedrive if not set. That default is
where all kinds of programs (games etc.) are hard cored to save their
files and I wanted to revert it to the original Windows default - which,
it would appear, cannot be done. Why does everyone want to answer every
question except the one I originally asked - which was whether or not it
was possible to remove all traces of OneDrive.

--
Tetbury, Gloucestershire , UK

Bob Henson wrote on 4/25/24 4:40 AM:

Why does everyone want to answer every
> question except the one I originally asked - which was whether or not it
> was possible to remove all traces of OneDrive.
>
>

You've already been provided the options to alleviate as much as possible
OneDrive integration in Windows.

OneDrive in Office 2013 or later will always be present since Office 2013
and later require an MSA signon to retain licensing validation and use of
the program *and* independent(with or without OneDrive linkage).
- i.e. in Office 2013 and later, the ability to save to OneDrive when
configured as such in Office products does not need the Windows included
OneDrive app.

--
....w¡ñ§±¤ñ

Bob Henson <bob.henson@outlook.com> wrote:
> On 25.4.24 12:19 pm, Graham J wrote:
> > Bob Henson wrote:
> >
> > [snip]
> >
> >>
> >> The OneDrive folder remains the default folder where Windows puts all
> >> documents etc that are not forced into another directory with "save as."
> >
> > No. All the MS applications (Word, Excel, etc) have a default setting
> > that can be changed by the user.
>
> Yes, but they all default to the Onedrive if not set. That default is
> where all kinds of programs (games etc.) are hard cored to save their
> files and I wanted to revert it to the original Windows default - which,
> it would appear, cannot be done.

What do you think is "the original Windows default [folder]"? I
wouldn't know of a Windows default folder, except perhaps - *partially*
- for 'Downloads'.

So as others have mentioned, I can't imagine what problem a
superfluous empty OneDrive folder might actually cause. That doesn't
mean you don't have a genuine problem/concern, it just means we don't
understand *why* it is a problem and hence need a more specific problem
scenario, preferably with rather common Windows software. In short, we
need details, not general comments.

That said, ....

> Why does everyone want to answer every
> question except the one I originally asked - which was whether or not it
> was possible to remove all traces of OneDrive.

OneDrive is not set up on my system, probably because I have a local
account, not a Microsoft Account. The software ('Microsoft OneDrive') is
installed and I have a 'OneDrive' folder (which is empty).

Having said that, I see a way which implies (not tested, as I have no
need/desire) to be able to delete the OneDrive folder.

The OneDrive folder is a personal, account specific, folder, so while
it is shown in the File Explorer left pane as 'OneDrive', it actually
lives in your personal folder tree, \Users\<user>.

I have noted that when you right-click on 'OneDrive' in the left pane,
there's no Delete or similar menu choice, also not in the 'Show more
options' section of the menu.

BUT, if I go to the actual personal folder tree, in my case
C:\Users\Frank, and *there* do a right-click, the 'Show more options'
section of the menu *does* show a 'Delete' menu choice.

So if you're really desperate, you may want to try if that 'Delete'
function works.

The 'Show more options' section also shows 'Rename', so you may want
to try that first. And 'Properties' in the main menu shows a 'Hidden'
attribute which can be set, so that's another thing to try.

Hope this helps.