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OneDrive is a cloud storage service created by Microsoft in 2007 as SkyDrive and rebranded in 2014.

OneDrive
Basic Information
Release Year 2007 (as SkyDrive)
Product Type Cloud storage
In Production Yes
Official Website https://onedrive.live.com/

Consumer impact summary

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):

  • User freedom
  • User privacy
  • Business model
  • Market control

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


Incidents

This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the OneDrive category.

Automatic syncing

Previously, Microsoft prompted users to back up their devices through reminders and asked for their permission to back folders up to OneDrive. Currently, OneDrive alters the Windows File Explorer to default to OneDrive's folders, and to replace the standard shortcuts to folders for Documents, Images, Downloads, etc. with shortcuts to OneDrive's folders.[1] This causes user files to back up to OneDrive by default, even when the folders are disabled for syncing,[2] usually without their knowledge or consent.

Once users have reached the maximum space OneDrive allows, they are prompted to pay for additional space, and in some cases are prevented from downloading attachments through Outlook and other Microsoft products.[3] Without the standard shortcuts to local folders in place, users are often unaware that they have alternative options. When users attempt to disable OneDrive, the service removes the user's files from the cloud.[4][5][6] If users have not made a local backup beforehand, their files are permanently lost.

See also

References

  1. Pippig, Laura (25 Jun 2024). "Windows 11 starts forcing OneDrive backups without asking permission". PCWorld. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "OneDrive's Forcable Takeover of Folders Is Intolerable". Reddit. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.
  3. "OneDrive sync'd EVERYTHING without permission?". Microsoft Q&A. 3 Mar 2025. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.
  4. "RANT: OneDrive enabled without consent". Microsoft Q&A. 19 Mar 2024. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "Onedrive is horrible, invasive and impossible". Microsoft Q&A. 9 Feb 2023. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. "Onedrive Syncs files without permission and can't be removed without deletion of the files in the local machine". Reddit. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)