Skip OneDrive backup during clean install

I did a clean install of Windows 11 Pro from original USB drive. This time I did not get a prompt to Backup files to OneDrive unlike last year with option to only save files to this PC. My Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders were moved to OneDrive automatically with no option to skip. Did Microsoft take away this OneDrive backup screen from the OOBE setup this year and force all users to sync with OneDrive?

Hello Keith,

Usually, you'll only see that if you set up a Microsoft account during Windows setup.

Either way, you can check below to make sure it's turned off.

I did the setup with a Microsoft Account. I did not get the OneDrive backup screen between the device usage customization screen and the Microsoft 365 trial offer screen. The screen went directly from device usage customization page to Microsoft 365 trial offer page unlike last year. I was using Windows 11 21H1 retail boxed USB.

Luckily, it's easy to turn off afterwards, and copy any moved files back.

I used to get the backup to onedrive prompt last year but this year I no longer get this prompt even after doing another clean install.

Keith Weisshar said:

I did a clean install of Windows 11 Pro from original USB drive. This time I did not get a prompt to Backup files to OneDrive unlike last year with option to only save files to this PC.

Click to expand...

You did not miss anything, the prompt either way (the prompt to 'backup to OneDrive' or the prompt to 'only save files to this PC') was simply not there.

Keith Weisshar said:

I used to get the backup to onedrive prompt last year but this year I no longer get this prompt even after doing another clean install.

Click to expand...

Whether the prompt either way appears or not depends on circumstances only MS seems to know, but it is certainly NOT because some users see it and other users miss it.

Keith Weisshar said:

My Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders were moved to OneDrive automatically with no option to skip.

Click to expand...

Another poster called that 'Shanghai kidnapping'

Keith Weisshar said:

Did Microsoft take away this OneDrive backup screen from the OOBE setup this year and force all users to sync with OneDrive?

Click to expand...

MS certainly slants heavily towards OneDrive, but you can do a correction after the fact > uninstall OneDrive, disable OneDrive, sync only certain folders with OneDrive, etc. There are tutorials for all of them.

FWIW, I myself uninstalled the OneDrive app from my computer > still have my OneDrive folder on my computer and my OneDrive folder in the cloud (my 'USB stick' in the cloud) which I find nice without all the syncing going on