Have you ever frantically searched for a file in OneDrive, only to find that it's nowhere to be found? This can be a frustrating experience, especially if you need to access the file urgently.
One common cause of files going missing from OneDrive is due to the file being synced to a different location, such as a local PC or another device. This can happen when you've enabled the "Files On-Demand" feature.
If you're experiencing issues with files missing from OneDrive, it's essential to check your file history. According to OneDrive's file history, files are automatically deleted after 30 days if they're not accessed.
To prevent files from going missing, make sure to regularly sync your OneDrive files to your local PC or other devices.
Fixing Issues
If you're having trouble finding OneDrive in File Explorer, don't worry, it's an easy problem to solve.
There are several methods to try, starting with the simplest. You can restart OneDrive, which is often enough to get it working again. If that doesn't work, you can try resetting OneDrive to its default settings.
To reset OneDrive, wait for a few minutes and follow the on-screen guides to finish the setup. Then, check if OneDrive shows in File Explorer. If you're still having trouble, there are more methods to try, including reinstalling OneDrive manually and enabling it in File Explorer.
Here are the methods in a nutshell:
Folder Was Removed
If you get an email or notification saying a folder was removed from your OneDrive, don't panic. It simply means a shared folder was deleted.
You can still access your files, though. To do this, sign in to OneDrive with your work or school account.
Next, use the Search OneDrive feature to look for your files. This will help you locate them even if the folder they were in is gone.
8 Methods to Fix
If you're having trouble finding OneDrive in File Explorer on Windows 10, don't worry, it's not a difficult problem to solve.
There are 8 methods to fix this issue, and I'll walk you through each one. Method 1 is to simply restart OneDrive, which can often resolve the problem. Sometimes, a simple restart is all it takes.
Method 2 involves resetting OneDrive to its default settings, which can also fix the issue. To do this, you'll need to wait for a few minutes and follow the on-screen guides to finish setting up OneDrive.
Method 3 is to reinstall and update OneDrive manually, which can help if you're running an outdated version. You can do this by uninstalling OneDrive and then reinstalling it from the Microsoft Store.
Method 4 is to enable OneDrive in File Explorer, which is often a simple checkbox to check. However, if this doesn't work, you may need to try Method 5, which involves removing all OneDrive entries.
If that doesn't work, you can try Method 6, which involves modifying the registry, but be careful with this one as it can be a bit tricky.
Alternatively, you can try Method 7, which involves using the Local Group Policy Editor, or Method 8, which involves updating your Windows to the latest version.
Here are the 8 methods summarized:
- Method 1: Restart OneDrive
- Method 2: Reset OneDrive
- Method 3: Reinstall and Update OneDrive Manually
- Method 4: Enable OneDrive in File Explorer
- Method 5: Remove All OneDrive Entries
- Method 6: Modify the Registry
- Method 7: Use Local Group Policy Editor
- Method 8: Update Your Windows to Latest Version
Fix Always on This Device
If you're having trouble finding the "Always keep on this device" option in OneDrive, don't worry, it's a common issue. You can use the free backup software MiniTool ShadowMaker to sync files to other locations in Windows 10 instead of syncing files to the cloud.
The "Always keep on this device" option allows you to download files or folders to your device, so you can open or edit them offline. This option normally helps to save space on your computer, but sometimes it can be missing.
To fix the issue, try method 1: check if the "Always keep on this device" option is enabled in OneDrive settings.
File Sync and Storage
OneDrive's Always keep on this device option allows you to download files or folders to your device, freeing up space on your computer.
You can use this option to open or edit files offline, but some users report that it's missing from their OneDrive.
To fix the issue, try the three methods provided, which can help you regain access to this feature.
OneDrive's Always keep on this device option only downloads files when you open one or select the option, so it's not automatically syncing your files.
If you don't want to sync your files to the cloud, consider using a free backup software like MiniTool ShadowMaker, which can sync files to other locations in Windows 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I recover OneDrive files?
To recover OneDrive files, go to the OneDrive website and select Settings > Restore your OneDrive from the left navigation. From there, you can choose a date to restore from or select a specific file to recover.
Sources
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/find-lost-or-missing-files-in-onedrive-0d929e0d-8682-4295-982b-4bd75a3daa01
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/restore-your-onedrive-fa231298-759d-41cf-bcd0-25ac53eb8a15
- https://www.cbackup.com/articles/onedrive-missing-from-file-explorer-windows-10.html
- https://www.minitool.com/news/onedrive-always-keep-on-this-device-missing.html
- https://superuser.com/questions/1769568/my-onedrive-suddenly-disappeared-from-my-windows-explorer-in-windows-10-how-do
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