MS Causes W11 to Automatically Backup to OneDrive With Permission Bypassed
How to take back control
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 by DrJBHL | Discussion: Personal Computing
There's a serious privacy and control problem with MS. They are positive your computer is really theirs to do with as they wish.
The latest is now Windows 11 has altered whichever settings you determined in your backup preferences for OneDrive.
I'm not against backing up data, as all here know, I am however against MS determining and acting, without obtaining your permission, to determine what you must back up from your privately owned computer.
The article linked above informs you how to regain control.
I strongly recommend reading it, but if time is short, here are the steps:
"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"
Reply #2 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 7:46 AM
Here is an article from Neowin by Taras Buria 6/24/2024
https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-11-is-now-automatically-enabling-onedrive-folder-backup-without-asking-permission/
That should have been the article in my external link...something must have screwed up...me, most likely. 
Reply #3 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 9:21 AM
Ooops, they did it again, coughing up a airball. Always thinking up new ways to get free advertising! 
Reply #4 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 9:33 AM
Ooops, they did it again, coughing up a airball. Always thinking up new ways to get free advertising!
Afraid it's far worse than that. You lose freedom and control, they fill up your OneDrive with stuff you don't need to recover in order to sell you more space.
Reply #5 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 9:42 AM
Afraid it's far worse than that. You lose freedom and control, they fill up your OneDrive with stuff you don't need to recover in order to sell you more space.
I didn't think about that aspect.
I have a subscription to Microsoft 365, so I have 1TB of storage on OneDrive, which is way more than the average user needs. I believe you only get 5GB with a free version. I'm currently using 55.1GB.
So, your theory makes perfect sense.
Reply #6 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 10:52 AM
When I right click the icon in my tray it says "OneDrive is not connected". Does that not handle this issue?
Reply #7 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 11:11 AM
When I right click the icon in my tray it says "OneDrive is not connected". Does that not handle this issue?
Hi scifi1950. To answer, not really as when you sign into your MS account (assuming you have one) or onto Microsoft.com or Bing.com it will...or should connect. That's a separate issue from which folders it will back up when it does connect.
Separate questions are do you have a OneDrive account and have you used OneDrive to back up your files?
LMAO!Reply #10 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 1:59 PM
When I right click the icon in my tray it says "OneDrive is not connected". Does that not handle this issue?
Hi scifi1950. To answer, not really as when you sign into your MS account (assuming you have one) or onto Microsoft.com or Bing.com it will...or should connect. That's a separate issue from which folders it will back up when it does connect.
Separate questions are do you have a OneDrive account and have you used OneDrive to back up your files?
It came with the Win 11 install, but I shut it down and don't use it to back up files. It wants me to sign in but I don't. I really sign in to my MS account - only if I absolutely have to.
Reply #11 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 3:14 PM
I shut it down and don't use it to back up files. It wants me to sign in but I don't. I really sign in to my MS account - only if I absolutely have to.
Then I don't think you need be concerned...but, I wouldn't put it past MS to change the logon/backup protocols in ithe future and not notify regarding that change. They act autocratically and unapologetically.
Reply #12 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 3:19 PM
I shut it down and don't use it to back up files. It wants me to sign in but I don't. I really sign in to my MS account - only if I absolutely have to.
Then I don't think you need be concerned...but, I wouldn't put it past MS to change the logon/backup protocols in ithe future and not notify regarding that change. They act autocratically and unapologetically.
Totally agree. That's why I try to use their add-ons as little as possible. For everyone on the forum, thanks again for being such a diligent watchdog
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Reply #1 Wednesday, June 26, 2024 7:04 AM
I use OneDrive extensively, and rely on it as a secondary location for backing up most of my files, however, for Microsoft to turn this on without the owners permission is just another step in the wrong direction by them. I'll bet this isn't happening in the EU, and if it is, they will put a stop to it very quickly.
Here is an article from Neowin by Taras Buria 6/24/2024
https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-11-is-now-automatically-enabling-onedrive-folder-backup-without-asking-permission/