OneDrive
| Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2007 (as SkyDrive) |
| Product Type | Cloud storage |
| In Production | Yes |
| Official Website | https://onedrive.live.com/ |
OneDrive is a cloud storage service created by Microsoft in 2007 as SkyDrive and rebranded in 2014.
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.
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
- ↑ Pippig, Laura (25 Jun 2024). "Windows 11 starts forcing OneDrive backups without asking permission". PCWorld. Archived from the original on 1 Feb 2026. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.
- ↑ "OneDrive's Forcable Takeover of Folders Is Intolerable". Reddit. Archived from the original on 7 Apr 2026. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.
- ↑ "OneDrive sync'd EVERYTHING without permission?". Microsoft Q&A. 3 Mar 2025. Archived from the original on 7 Apr 2026. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.
- ↑ "RANT: OneDrive enabled without consent". Microsoft Q&A. 19 Mar 2024. Archived from the original on 7 Apr 2026. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.
- ↑ "Onedrive is horrible, invasive and impossible". Microsoft Q&A. 9 Feb 2023. Archived from the original on 23 Oct 2025. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.
- ↑ "Onedrive Syncs files without permission and can't be removed without deletion of the files in the local machine". Reddit. Archived from the original on 28 Dec 2022. Retrieved 27 Aug 2025.