Solved Onedrive

This is more of a rant than a question.
I find onedrive extremely useful, I regularly (a few times each day) work on an excel file on my PC - it is saved to the cloud with onedrive. Now what makes it so useful is that I can use onedrive on my phone or on my laptop to access the file and make changes or whatever is needed. However every now and then onedrive has "merge" issues or something that prevents it from saving the file. EXTREMELY IRRITATING TO SAY THE LEAST because sometimes it is simple to sort out - like reopening and saving the excel file but other times it gets to the point when you get lost in what you are trying to do to make it work. Basically the only way sometimes is to take the open file and save it as a new file, delete the original file and then reopen the excel file from one drive resave it as the original excel filename and then delete the "new" file. VERY TEDIOUS. Then there's OneDrive's backup of important folders feature, very useful BUT by default it backs up everything in your folders (the chosen folders, PICTURES, VIDEOS, DOCUMENTS, DESKTOP (or whatever they are)) Useful if you have a smallish amount of information but us with large amounts run into a problem there. I personally only backup my DOCUMENTS the rest seems unnecessary. I often copy large files or folders onto my desktop for coping to other hard disks, thumb drives, etc. at a later time since I'm poor I haven't got the extra space in OneDrive that comes with a subscription, so my OneDrive space soon fills up. Also, some of my pictures and videos are private - and I don't want them splashed all over the web and up in the cloud. HOW I WISH that when OneDrive is initially setup you are asked what folders you want backed up to the cloud, instead of waiting for a notification saying that your OneDrive space is nearly full.

OneDrive can be such a pain sometimes. I’ve had the same issues with the merge conflicts and file syncing problems, it’s like the cloud decides to have a mind of its own. You’re right, it's a real hassle when you spend time trying to figure out why it won’t just save the darn file. The whole "save as a new file and then delete the old one" thing? Ridiculous! It’s like they designed it to be as frustrating as possible. I’ve had moments where I thought I lost stuff entirely, and the only fix is that workaround, which never feels like a proper solution.


As for the backup thing, I totally agree with you on that. It’s annoying that OneDrive just assumes you want everything backed up by default. Like, not everyone needs to have their desktop, pictures, or videos all over the cloud, especially if you’ve got privacy concerns. I always end up manually unchecking folders, and it’s so tedious, especially when you want more control over what actually gets uploaded. And yeah, the storage issue is another headache. I’m in the same boat—trying to keep stuff backed up but don’t want to spend money on the extra space. It’d be so much easier if we had more flexibility from the get-go on which folders to sync.


If you haven’t already, you could try cleaning up your OneDrive by moving large files off to an external hard drive or even using other cloud storage services for things like photos and videos if privacy is a concern. It might ease the stress with OneDrive filling up so quickly. On the one hand, the disadvantage is that you will deprive these files of the opportunity to be always at hand, but on the other hand, as practice shows, we may not remember about some files for years, you just need to take a decision. That's what I would do.

Thanks for your reply @eternalsumbo, perhaps we are using it wrong, I see quite a few people are viewing this thread - any ideas, advice on how to use OneDrive better??? Honestly at this point, I can sort out the hassles but why do I need to - there must be some other cloud service that I can change to.

I am using insync both on Linux and Windows 11, and it works fine.

Thks - will check it out

Onedrive, such a great app but not very user friendly.

Hi - Insnyc which johnp reccommended (post 4 in this thread) gives me only a 7-day trial, guess Ill stick to onedrive.

Onedrive is sick these days. Share folders are still shown as internet shortcuts in windows explorer.

The status icons next to the files - nightmare

Hi, I just tried to switch to google drive from onedrive - quite a task. Once i had downloaded and installed google drive - google drive insisted on downloading my files from onedrive - never found out where they went - I assumed it downloaded to the google drive - but no - it creates an extra drive letter in your file explorer - I copied my documents into the my drive folder that is there. It seems to work fine but then I tested it on my phone (android) it tells me FILE TYPE NOT SUPPORTED - its probably trying to open office files in the google programs like sheets, etc. - can anybody help me at this point, to open an excel file on my phone from cloud storage is the point of this whole exercise.

Nickynoo said:

Hi, I just tried to switch to google drive from onedrive - quite a task. Once i had downloaded and installed google drive - google drive insisted on downloading my files from onedrive - never found out where they went - I assumed it downloaded to the google drive - but no - it creates an extra drive letter in your file explorer - I copied my documents into the my drive folder that is there. It seems to work fine but then I tested it on my phone (android) it tells me FILE TYPE NOT SUPPORTED - its probably trying to open office files in the google programs like sheets, etc. - can anybody help me at this point, to open an excel file on my phone from cloud storage is the point of this whole exercise.

Click to expand...

Try to install Microsoft Excel for Android, and open the file within Excel.

Seems to work, managed to open the file. Was a long long way around, going to have to see if i can streamline it a bit, the long winded way i did is going to force me back to onedrive if i dont.

I intensely dislike OneDrive’s invasive approach when implemented. Reminds me of the days when IE (and now Edge) is automatically installed as the default app. It’s a PITA to remove and (appears to/tries) to re-insert itself with every win11 update I apply.
I guess many folks simply use it as implemented.

Well although I signed out in OneDrive yesterday it resigned in by itself today and took over I think I'm going to return to OneDrive - hate the hassles it gives though.

From your remarks, I truly can not begin to decipher what you have done. Your problem is that you didn't deal with onedrive before you got google drive involved, or if you did, you didn't do it correctly. You have to get your files back on your system drive.The correct procedure to do so is in many threads. One such is post #2 here.

Thankyou