Microsoft isn’t deleting your Windows 11 files, but OneDrive’s sync system is causing confusion and frustration: “I think they should have to go to jail for this.”

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These days, almost everything is digital. Unlike the past when we collected physical albums and prints, now you can easily snap a photo on your phone, save it online, and then free up space on your device by deleting it.

Ideally, things would work as I explained, but often that’s not the reality. Recently, many people have turned to social media to share their disappointment and frustration after losing precious memories or important work files.

A OneDrive user shared on Reddit in June 2025 that Microsoft had unexpectedly locked their account. They explained they lost access to three decades of photos and work after the lock occurred, and received no prior notification.

I saw that the user sent in 18 compliance forms, hoping to get their problem fixed, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. I’m not sure if they ever actually received help, and unfortunately, the issue still appears to be ongoing.

Someone who reads Windows Central recently contacted me with a similar problem, and they were understandably frustrated.

Just two days ago, I experienced a frustrating problem where I lost access to years of digital purchases – including Xbox games and subscriptions – along with my documents, emails, and other online services, all due to an issue with artificial intelligence.

I snapped a quick photo of my kids goofing off while watching a movie on New Year’s Eve. The next morning, my OneDrive account was unexpectedly blocked due to concerns about potential child abuse. My email still seemed to be working, so I filed an appeal through Microsoft. But a few hours later, my email was also disabled. I immediately appealed again, using a different email address. It quickly became obvious the issue was the photo I’d taken the night before, as it hadn’t synced to any of my other devices.

The user explained that the photo wasn’t inappropriate, and believes the AI flagged it due to the way one child in pink appeared to overlap with the youngest child, who was also wearing pink and had their arms raised.

Okay, so the photo isn’t perfect – the composition is a little messy and the lighting isn’t great. But honestly, if you look at it for even a second, it’s pretty obvious there’s nothing actually *wrong* with the image. It’s just a minor visual hiccup, really.

They tried to get the account reinstated, but the ban remained in place. They explained, “I can’t currently reach Microsoft support because phone numbers only connect to automated bots and the online contact forms require you to be signed in—which I can’t do with a banned account.”

I’ve been seeing a lot of discussion online about a concerning issue with Windows. Basically, a user on TikTok expressed strong frustration, even suggesting jail time for those responsible, claiming that OneDrive, which comes pre-installed with Windows, is actually malware. Their main concern, and what others are echoing, is that OneDrive can unexpectedly delete files if you’re not vigilant. This isn’t an isolated incident; I’m finding numerous similar posts and videos across social media platforms.

Microsoft lack of transparency about OneDrive Backup’s changes is to blame for the confusion

Windows 11’s latest update, version 25H2, became available to everyone on September 30, 2025, bringing a redesigned Start menu and enhancements for gamers. A less-publicized change is that OneDrive Backup now automatically starts when you sign in to a new computer with your Microsoft account, as reported by ZDNet.

That’s why your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders are now stored in OneDrive. This change is causing some people to have trouble finding their files directly on their computers.

Before Microsoft updated OneDrive Backup, turning off the feature meant users had to find and move their files back to their original folders themselves. Now, the update handles this automatically, putting files back in the correct place on your computer.

When setting up a new account on an existing Windows 11 computer, Microsoft’s initial setup process now includes an option to save files only to that PC. However, this option can be easy to overlook, particularly if you’re trying to complete the setup quickly.

Setting up Windows 11 with a Microsoft account can be a little tricky, whether you’re using an old or new account. During the setup process, you’ll see a message saying your files and photos will be automatically backed up to OneDrive for safekeeping.

During setup, you can’t save files directly to your computer. Instead, your Documents, Pictures, and Desktop folders will automatically be backed up to OneDrive, and your settings will be updated accordingly.

These updates aren’t just for Windows users. If you’re testing an early release of Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, any new documents or files you create in apps like Word will now save directly to OneDrive automatically.

If you save files directly on your computer, you’ll find them in your usual folders. But if you’re using OneDrive Backup, your files will be moved to OneDrive. They’ll still be stored on your computer, and also be automatically saved to the cloud.

Many users are noticing that their local folders still appear on their Windows PCs, even if they seem empty. This happens because files aren’t being deleted – they’re being moved and saved to OneDrive. This behavior started with the automatic backup feature that was turned on during the upgrade to Windows 11, version 25H2.

It’s tempting to see Microsoft’s recent moves as simply a way to promote its cloud services, but these changes also offer important protection for your data. They help prevent permanent loss due to things like viruses, device malfunctions, or theft.

We’re curious to hear what you think about the recent updates to OneDrive’s syncing! Share your opinions in the comments below, and don’t forget to vote in the poll to let us know your overall impression.

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2026-01-14 15:10