OneDrive Document Folder is in a file C:/ ..../Old Documents

Hi, Ron-Notabot.

Welcome to Microsoft support community.

It seems that you have a problem with the nest structure of the folder C:\Users\<USER_NAme>\OneDrive\*Documents and you want to keep the file while reset this weird structure for organizing purpose. Your problem could be very simple but also a little complex if there is some kind of bug involved. But if we do it carefully and smart, we probably be fine.

• First of all:   Pause the sync, adjust the OneDrive cloud storage space online as the structure of your local folder has probably been upload to the cloud.

• You should unlink the OneDrive with your local computer, you can achieve that by :

After that your local folder structure should be fine to modify, the detail step we need really depends on your situation, so tell me about the folder structure at this point so we could decide how to continue.

I hope my answer could help you; feel free to keep the situation updated if you have some problem or have additional request so we could continue investigation. Looking forward about your reply.

Best Regards

Benjamin- MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thanks for your very complete reply - it helps to explain why I had some problems sorting this out. I am going to be busy over the next few days but I will come back to you next week to let you know how I get on following your suggested way forward.

Ron

One further question before I begin next week. I access the OneDrive directory structure via a laptop and a desktop and I would like to get the directory sorted out so that it works on both PCs. Does this make any difference to your suggested way forward?

Best regards

Ron

Hi Benjamin,

As I mentioned, I have two Windows PCs both of which access OneDrive. I also have Microsoft 365 on my iPad which also accesses OneDrive. I started off with the laptop and following your instructions disconnected from OneDrive and tried to merge the Documents (stored in c:\ ...\Old_Documents) with c:\....\Documents as the new default folder. That didn't work. I now have a new Documents folder on my laptop in c:\....\Documents which doesn't have much in it except that XBox games doesn't recognise old, saved games and has created a new folder in the 'new' documents. The c:\ ...\Old_Documents is still there as an ordinary folder.

However, on my other desktop PC it is the other way around with c:\ ...\Old_Documents as the 'Documents' and c:\....\Documents as the other folder. Is there a way to sort this out so that both PCs and my iPad see the same 'Documents' folder and, ideally, the various apps that have saved things there still can see them!

Thanks in anticipation.

Ron

Sorry that happens to you, I do not know why is underline the OneDrive software design. I would like you to:

<1> Registry editing

Start menu > Registry Editor (Open as admin mode)

Enter the path:

>> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders --

at the top, (remember to hide your username); this will be the center of the file path of current login user.

Give us the screenshot, also use: File > Export, name the file whatever is convenient. This will be your back up that branch of registry. We might need to do some small surgery for your user profile.

In case you are wondering, the look of normal value of this directory should be like(No OneDrive setup)

<2> Create new user

If you think registry editing are not under your consideration, we must say you have to create a new user, and we will help you do that gradually which should not be too complicated compared to the already happening OneDrive mess you are having right now.

Let me know your thoughts, have a good luck.

Best Regards

Benjamin- MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

*Edited: add the disclaimer for waring.

Hello, how does your problem go, we really want to help you. If you still have problem please keep us update; thanks.

Best Regards

Benjamin- MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thanks for the suggestion. I have edited the previous posts.

I have a lot of files saved in my old ubc alumni account , in desktop and documents for example, but they wont open because I can no longer sign into that onedrive, I have a new onedrive business account me.student.ubc.ca, ...So how can I get access to all those files I've saved over past 7 years??I cant even email them to myself, but I do see them listed still in my alumni.ubc.ca files business onedrive but cannot access them.Please help? Thankyou Amanda, *** Email address is removed for privacy ***