When Windows users suddenly discover that their files have vanished from their desktops after interacting with OneDrive, the issue often stems from how Microsoft’s cloud service integrates with the operating system. The automatic, near-invisible shift to cloud-based storage has triggered strong reactions from users who find the feature unintuitive and, in some cases, destructive to their local files.

  • Meursault@lemmy.world
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    13 hours ago

    Happened to me, too. Now I just ignore OneDrive entirely. I don’t think Microsoft understands what cloud storage is supposed to be used for. If I delete something from the cloud, I should still have it locally on my PC. The fact that this isn’t the case means essentially, that OneDrive isn’t actually a cloud service. They’re trying to get you to pay a subscription fee to use your own hard drive. You know, the one you’re already using for free. I wonder why that isn’t taking off? 🤔

    • Derpgon@programming.dev
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      8 hours ago

      This is what made me stop using Google Photos and start self hosting Immich. I lost a video from my house construction that showed where the cables were exactly laid.

    • filcuk@lemmy.zip
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      7 hours ago

      Sorry, that makes no sense to me. These cloud sync apps are setup for mirroring. If you change one side, it’s reflected on the other. This is just user error (or poor UI, lack of explanation on what delete does in the cloud)

      • Meursault@lemmy.world
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        2 hours ago

        If that’s the case, then OneDrive shouldn’t bitch at me about storage limits. What does it want me to do? Delete my shit again?

      • Passerby6497@lemmy.world
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        5 hours ago

        Don’t point out people are misunderstanding the product, we’re here to shit on the product for anything and everything

        • ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world
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          5 hours ago

          To be fair when it’s a product a person didn’t ask for and the OS forced it on them, it’s not unreasonable that they may not understand how it works and make mistakes.

          • Bytemeister@lemmy.world
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            3 hours ago

            Yeah, you can’t yell at someone to RTFM when they didn’t opt to use the product, and the “manual” is just a barrage of question on a Microsoft support forum where every answer goes to a Microsoft.learn page that hasn’t been updated since 8.1.

          • Passerby6497@lemmy.world
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            4 hours ago

            It is unreasonable to assume you can delete a file from a sync app’s cloud dashboard and not expect that the deletion would be synced to the device.

            I get that OneDrive is a mediocre product that gets forced on end users, but so many people turn their brains off and just try to kill it with fire instead of thinking through their actions before making rash decisions. Deleting it from the OneDrive directory is marginally less rash, but again, people delete files without validating the original is where they thought it was.

              • Passerby6497@lemmy.world
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                4 hours ago

                It is unreasonable to expect users to understand.

                Or read, be it app popups or error messages. Or learn how to use tools that have been in place for years. Or take basic responsibility for their inability or unwillingness to learn and understand.

                At some point, saying “it’s unreasonable to expect the user to understand something” is itself unreasonable. Maybe it’s because I’ve been in IT for like 20 years, but I have minimal sympathy for people who choose not to understand the basic utilities that they have to interact with for their jobs that have been in place for a long time. At the very least, you should know how file management works if you’re making files as part of your job, and that you don’t just delete files from your system, especially important business files…

    • yeehaw@lemmy.ca
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      11 hours ago

      OneDrive is for syncing files across devices. It’s not a backup.

      • Meursault@lemmy.world
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        2 hours ago

        Then it shouldn’t bitch at me about storage limits. Does it expect me to delete my shit again? All I’m hearing is OneDrive is better off being ignored entirely.

      • 87Six@lemmy.zip
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        10 hours ago

        The problem isn’t one drive’s purpose, it’s that it’s so shoveled into windows that people that have no idea what it is use it accidentally then see files disappearing. It’s unintuitive shovelware with terrible UX, a dreadful combination.

      • cmhe@lemmy.world
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        8 hours ago

        So like syncthing but you have to pay for it and requires a server. Seems useless…

        If you want to sync while not all devices are online, just spend 50$ or something and get a RPI and put syncthing on it.

      • Threeme2189@sh.itjust.works
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        10 hours ago

        I disagree, it can easily be both. I pay for Google drive and don’t have the client on any of my devices except for my phone, and it’s replicated to my NAS. I use as a form of remote backup and not to sync files.

      • qevlarr@lemmy.world
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        11 hours ago

        Right, so how many files you have on your laptop do you also need on your phone? How many desktop does Microslop think the average person has? If cloud storage is actually only cloud syncing, is there a market?

        • macaw_dean_settle@lemmy.world
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          10 hours ago

          Most of them. I use my files across my Windows laptop, desktop, tablet, and Windows 10 Mobile. The syncing allows me to have access no mater what device I am on. Just because you don’t use this feature, does not mean it isn’t useful.

          • qevlarr@lemmy.world
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            33 minutes ago

            That’s why I asked about the actual files. I know it’s cool to have the ability but really it’s typically only specific files, not every fucking thing you ever opened or saved. And please keep in mind people on Lemmy are not your average user. Most people have a phone and one other device at most