OneDrive

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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

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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.

Aggressive push for backups (Aug. 2025)

Windows users found that, at some point, the software attempts to back up user files. However, the way it does so is by redirecting several (unwittingly chosen) base folders to OneDrive, which once full, requests that the user "Upgrade" or "Free Up Space". When the user tries to disable OneDrive by solutions found with a surface level search, it removes all said user files both locally and in cloud. The only ways for the user to recover those files require a physical backup, from desktop or OneDrive. User files are also being corrupted in the process.

User suspicions claim the implementation of this action (backing up all computer files without user knowledge, notification, or consent) is being staggered, allegedly to stop unified backlash from consumers.

File:OneDrive Desktop Shortcut.png

Staggering of "feature" implementation (automatic backup): Includes the time & date the shortcut was created, which is when the user opened their computer. See references for evidence that this has been happening to users at different rates over the last year.

File:File Corruption When Copying from OneDrive.png

File corruption as a result of OneDrive's forced backup: Interrupted action notification from Windows, stating that "file ... has properties that can't be copied to the new location". This file is a recording of a song the user wrote & believed to be safe on their computer.

File:OneDrive Permission Notification.png

"Ensure that you have the right permissions to allow the item to sync." User did not request that this or any item be synced to OneDrive.

File:OneDrive Notification to "Upgrade" or "Free up space".png

Notification from OneDrive to "Upgrade" or "Free up space" - after moving all files it had space for onto OneDrive & off of local storage.

File:File In Use by OneDrive.png

"File in use [by OneDrive]" notification from Windows when attempting manual backup, not allowing the user to copy their file that OneDrive had moved off of their device.

See also

• iCloud

References

https://www.reddit.com/r/onedrive/comments/1e5riab/onedrives_forcable_takeover_of_folders_is/

https://www.reddit.com/r/onedrive/comments/zx79j6/onedrive_syncs_files_without_permission_and_cant/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3887116/onedrive-syncd-everything-without-permission

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5213385/onedrive-is-horrible-invasive-and-impossible

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/f7795u/onedrive_attempted_to_sync_my_entire_pc_without/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4043083/rant-onedrive-enabled-without-consent

https://ctemplar.com/microsoft-edge-and-onedrive-syncing-without-warning-or-consent/