Folders saved only on OneDrive can't be opened

cisko65

Hi, I've done yet another thing I shouldn't have done! I have Windows 11 Home. I think I saved most of my files on OneDrive without understanding what I was doing. The consequences seem to be that all my files are on OneDrive only and I cannot even open them.
I want them on my PC (and ideally with a backup online) instead of cloud-only. Online it says I can "use either the local sync method via File Explorer or download them directly from the OneDrive website". I tried both but it didn't work.The first method is Make Files Available Offline (Always Keep on This Device) and lets you copy or cut folders directly out of your synced OneDrive directory into a local folder on your PC.

-Open File Explorer and navigate to your OneDrive folder. -Right-click the specific files or folders you want stored locally.

-Select Always keep on this device. OneDrive will download a full local copy of those files to your computer. (I cannot open the files even if they have the Always keep on this device.) - -Cut and pasted to Local PC: -Navigate to a local folder outside of OneDrive (such as a regular C:\Users\[Your Name]\Documents), right-clicked an empty space, and select Paste.

The files appear in my C:\Users\Documents but I can't open them. Pls advise me with christal clear language and instructions. Many thanks.

oldernonethewiser

Are you logged in to your OneDrive?

Vitor

TBH this is great example where Gemini or ChatGPT can help you untangle the setup of OneDrive step-by-step and you can post screen grabs. The important precaution is to stop moving or deleting anything until the original files have been located and verified and it's known which folders are being synced/backed up using OneDrive.

cisko65

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82197506#Comment_82197506

yes, I always am.

Stubod

..this chap is quiet helpful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_JmtT_4l3c

RavingMad

If you right click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray, you get the option to view files online. I'd do that to check the integrity of your files, making sure they open as you'd want them to

In File explorer, files stored locally will have a green tick against them. A cloud icon indicates that it's only in the cloud but clicking on them should still open and this become available offline

Hope that makes sense

cisko65

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82197662#Comment_82197662

I watched Leo's video, but I had already checked if the files were in C: users/franc and there is NO file.

Did I somehow cut and paste all the PC files in OneDrive?

I don't remember...

cisko65

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82197702#Comment_82197702

I think I already did what you suggest but the files are saved in OneDrive only.

Undervalued

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82197756#Comment_82197756

If you log into your OneDrive from a web browser can you access the problem files and download them? If so I would do this first as a precaution before changing the properties for file manager.

RavingMad

What issues do you get when you try to open the files in your documents folder?

Draqo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82197965#Comment_82197965

This above all, and certainly before you start messing about, make sure your files exist somewhere