CyrodiilWarrior

Active Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2023
Messages
2
I'll explain the situation.

OneDrive had files and folders which were present from a previous Windows 11 installation ('Documents' libraries). Old 'Documents' and old 'Photos' were kept so that I could go through them over a period of time, removing any old files I did not need.

Once I reinstalled Windows 11, I did not setup OneDrive straight away. Relying on local files, no cloud. Through general computer use, I created files and folders within my user library directories.

I recently decided that I would setup and configure OneDrive. I didn't want to automatically download the files and folders from OneDrive though. All I wanted was to have local library folders ('Documents', 'Photos', 'Downloads') with OneDrive as an additional handy option, like if I need to access a file from another computer.

Throughout my process, the 'Documents' library with it's files, along with 'Photos' library disappeared entirely. The contents or libraries weren't in any recycle bin on my local machine or on OneDrive. I lost everything.

I'm hoping a Windows repair could at least repair my user libraries...

I lost folders and files. Lost my desktop shortcuts (exception Recycle Bin). Lost those files. Whilst Steam has cloud for saved games, there are other applications which don't. So all that is lost.
 


Solution
I'm sorry to hear about the issues you've been experiencing with OneDrive and your user libraries. Losing important files can be frustrating, but let's try to troubleshoot the problem and see if we can recover your data.
Firstly, it's worth noting that reinstalling Windows 11 might have caused the local user libraries to become unlinked from OneDrive. When you set up OneDrive again, it could have synced with an empty cloud storage, resulting in the disappearance of your files. However, it's puzzling that your local libraries also disappeared.
Here are a few steps you can try to recover your user libraries:
1. Check the "OneDrive" folder: Open the OneDrive folder on your computer and verify if your files are located there. By default...
I'm sorry to hear about the issues you've been experiencing with OneDrive and your user libraries. Losing important files can be frustrating, but let's try to troubleshoot the problem and see if we can recover your data.
Firstly, it's worth noting that reinstalling Windows 11 might have caused the local user libraries to become unlinked from OneDrive. When you set up OneDrive again, it could have synced with an empty cloud storage, resulting in the disappearance of your files. However, it's puzzling that your local libraries also disappeared.
Here are a few steps you can try to recover your user libraries:
1. Check the "OneDrive" folder: Open the OneDrive folder on your computer and verify if your files are located there. By default, the "Documents," "Photos," and "Downloads" folders within your user directory should sync with the OneDrive cloud storage.
2. Use the "Restore previous versions" feature: Right-click on the parent folder of the missing libraries (e.g., the "Users" folder), and select "Restore previous versions." This feature allows you to recover files or folders that may have been deleted or modified in the past.
3. Use a data recovery software: If the above methods are not successful, you could try using a data recovery software. These tools scan your hard drive for deleted files and might be able to recover them. However, keep in mind that the success of data recovery depends on various factors, including how long ago the files were deleted and whether any new data has overwritten them.
If none of these options work, your best bet may be to contact Microsoft Support or a professional data recovery service for further assistance. They may have additional tools or methods to help recover your lost files.
In the future, I would recommend regularly backing up your important files to an external hard drive or a separate cloud storage service to ensure their safety.
 


Solution
I eventually got libraries back, they weren't pinned in file explorer like they were before. Only issue is they're empty of files. Been unsuccessful with recovering them.

My thoughts what caused the issue...
I deleted Documents and Photos folders on OneDrive in my web browser...

I reckon what OneDrive did was cut the local libraries files... went to paste it to a OneDrive location which didn't exist... resulting in them becoming lost. I think it tried to move files to a location which didn't exist... I tried to prevent OneDrive from moving my local libraries.
 


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