Will I Lose All My Files if I Delete OneDrive? Get the Truth!

What Happens When You Delete OneDrive Files?

When you delete files from OneDrive, they are moved to the Recycle Bin. This action doesn't immediately remove them from your storage but marks them for potential deletion. If you empty the Recycle Bin or permanently delete files, they are not easy to be retrieved through regular means.

Will I Lose All My Files if I Delete OneDrive?

Deleting OneDrive does not automatically delete your files. However, uninstalling OneDrive or deleting files from it can lead to permanent loss if not managed properly. It's crucial to understand the distinction between deleting files and uninstalling the application. Deleting files from OneDrive removes them from your synced devices and online storage. It's important to note that while files can be recovered from the Recycle Bin shortly after deletion, permanent deletion from both the Recycle Bin and uninstalling OneDrive poses a higher risk of data loss.

Deleting Files from OneDrive

While files deleted from OneDrive can initially be recovered from the Recycle Bin, they can be permanently lost if not restored promptly. Using file recovery software or cloud backup services may offer additional recovery options, but success rates vary depending on how and when the files were deleted.

Uninstalling OneDrive 

Uninstalling OneDrive does not delete your files by default. However, it removes the syncing capability and access to your files through the OneDrive app. It's crucial to back up important files before uninstalling OneDrive to avoid potential loss or inconvenience.

In short, uninstalling OneDrive just affects file accessibility but not deletion. Your files remain intact unless specifically deleted. Consider backing up files to another location before uninstalling to ensure data availability.

What to Do Before Deleting OneDrive or Uninstalling OneDrive?

Before deleting OneDrive or uninstalling OneDrive, ensure all necessary files are backed up or synced to alternative storage solutions. This proactive approach prevents accidental data loss and maintains access to important files across devices.

To backup or sync OneDrive files to alternative storage solution, you can choose external hard drive or another cloud service. Backing up your OneDrive files to an external storage device like an external hard drive is a prudent way to ensure your data is safely stored offline. 

Steps to Back Up OneDrive Files to External Hard Drive

Step 1: Connect your external hard drive to your computer using the appropriate cable (usually USB).

Step 2:  Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.

Step 3: Download Files from OneDrive. Right-click on the selected files or folders, then choose "Download" from the context menu. 

Step 4: Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) on your computer. Locate the downloaded files. By default, downloaded files are usually found in the "Downloads" folder.

Step 5. Copy and paste the files onto your external hard drive. 

Step 6. Double-check your external hard drive to ensure that all files have been successfully copied. Open the folders and check that the files are there and intact.

Steps to Back Up OneDrive Files to Another Cloud Drive

For backing up files from one cloud to another, the most common way might be manually downloading from the source cloud to local and re-uploading to the destination. If you want to get it done easily, you can choose some professional cloud to cloud transfer service, like MultCloud.

It saves the complex process of manul download and re-upload, but transfers or sync data across clouds directly online. Just 3 steps you can quickly back up OneDrive files to another cloud, no matter it is Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, SharePoint, MEGA or others. MultCloud supports about 35 different cloud drives.

Conclusion

In summary, while deleting or uninstalling OneDrive does not automatically erase your files, it's crucial to understand the potential consequences and take preventive measures. With regular backups, you can minimize the risk of losing important data when managing your OneDrive files.