Microsoft has made OneDrive slightly more annoying for Windows 11 users by automatically enabling folder backup without asking for permission. Quietly and without any announcement, the company changed Windows 11’s initial setup so that it could turn on the automatic folder backup without any user input.
Now, those setting up a new Windows computer the way Microsoft wants them to—connected to the internet and signed into a Microsoft account—will get to their desktops with OneDrive already syncing folders like Desktop, Pictures, Documents, Music, and Videos. Depending on how much is stored there, users might find their desktops and other folders filled with shortcuts to various items immediately after finishing a clean Windows installation.
Automatic folder backup in OneDrive is a very useful feature when used properly and when the user deliberately enables it. However, Microsoft decided that sending a few notification prompts to enable folder backup was not enough, so it just turned the feature on without asking anybody or even letting users know about it. This change has resulted in a flood of Reddit posts from users complaining about the green checkmarks next to files and shortcuts on their desktops.
If you do not want your computer to back up everything on your desktop or other folders, here is how to turn the feature off (you can also set up Windows 11 in offline mode):
- Right-click the OneDrive icon in the tray area, click the settings icon, and then press Settings.
- Go to the “Sync and Backup” tab and click “Manage backup.”
- Turn off all the folders you do not want to back up in OneDrive and confirm the changes.
If you have an older OneDrive version with the classic tabbed interface, go to the Backup tab and click Manage Backup > Stop backup > Stop backup.
Microsoft is no stranger to controversial changes with its software and operating system. Several months ago, users noticed that OneDrive would not let them close it without explaining the reason first (a change Microsoft later reverted). A similar tactic was spotted in the Edge browser, with Microsoft asking users why they downloaded Chrome.