Serious Discussion Windows 11 is now automatically enabling OneDrive folder backup without asking permission

[brambedkar59]

Microsoft has made OneDrive slightly more annoying for Windows 11 users. Quietly and without any announcement, the company changed Windows 11's initial setup so that it could turn on the automatic folder backup without asking for it.

Windows 11 is now automatically enabling OneDrive folder backup without asking permission

Microsoft quietly changed how folder backup works in the OneDrive app on Windows 11. Now, the OS enables it by default during the initial setup without asking the user for permission.

www.neowin.net

 

[TairikuOkami]

What is the worst that onedrive started to force user's files online, you can not disable ondemand in settings anymore, only select the folder, but onedrive keeps changing it or storage sense?!

 

[brambedkar59]

What is the worst that onedrive started to force user's files online, you can not disable ondemand in settings anymore, only select the folder, but onedrive keeps changing it or storage sense?!

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This is just diabolical from MS; they want to fill up the tiny onedrive free storage and ask user for a subscription.

 

[Morro]

This why I do not store anything on OneDrive any more. I save everything on my External HD.

 

[SpiderWeb]

Wait even if you do a fresh install with a local account?

 

[Nevi]

The first I do after a clean install, is to run Appbuster. Micro$oft put so much bloat into their product, that I think it's nice you can get rid of it as fast as possible. When they don't even ask, you must take matter in your own hands. One drive is one of the apps that get the boot on my computer.

 

[SpiderWeb]

Wasn't there a similar story about this that Windows would backup your Device Encryption key to OneDrive without you knowing? I mean they have to if they want to do OneDrive folder backup. Otherwise you won't be able to retrieve your data when you get a new device. But, the key is consent. There is none just like Recall, Microsoft is assuming it is making the best decisions for us.

Why Microsoft stores your Windows Device Encryption Key to OneDrive

Microsoft automatically encrypts your new Windows device & stores the encryption key on OneDrive, when you sign in using your Microsoft Account. Learn how to delete this key and generate your own.

www.thewindowsclub.com

Alternatively, Microsoft loves and trusts all users and the folder backups are end-to-end encrypted with nobody able to see what they are other than the original device. I doubt that though because they have not made any announcement like that. So effectively, Microsoft has access to all encryption keys and all data on your device even if you delete the data, there is a carbon copy on their servers.

 

[lokamoka820]

What is the best alternative now: Dropbox or Google Drive?

 

[Marko :)]

This is just diabolical from MS; they want to fill up the tiny onedrive free storage and ask user for a subscription.

They are trying to copy Apple on this. The whole purpose of Apple's iDevices with low storage is to make you pay for iCloud. That's why iPhones never had an SD card slot. Just check Apple's prices for a storage upgrade on any of their devices, including Mac. It's insane.

The first I do after a clean install, is to run Appbuster. Micro$oft put so much bloat into their product, that I think it's nice you can get rid of it as fast as possible. When they don't even ask, you must take matter in your own hands. One drive is one of the apps that get the boot on my computer.

I just install English (Europe) version of Windows so I don't get any bloatware installed and then return region to my country. Those few bloatware apps that are part of Windows I uninstall with Revo Uninstaller Free which I install anyway since it's my go-to software for uninstallation.

Wait even if you do a fresh install with a local account?

I think it's just for those using Microsoft account.

 

[lokamoka820]

I just install English (Europe) version of Windows so I don't get any bloatware installed and then return region to my country.

I think I will reinstall my windows with Europe region to avoid all that bloatware of Microsoft, will any Europe country work?

 

[Marko :)]

I think I will reinstall my windows with Europe region to avoid all that bloatware of Microsoft, will any Europe country work?

One thing is certain: region English (Europe) works 100%, but for EU countries is mixed bag. I did my first installation with Croatia as a region and didn't get any. But I hear others did get some bloatware apps. I installed Windows using oobe/bypassnro command to get local account, maybe that's why I never got any installed.

 

[lokamoka820]

One thing is certain: region English (Europe) works 100%, but for EU countries is mixed bag. I did my first installation with Croatia as a region and didn't get any. But I hear others did get some bloatware apps. I installed Windows using oobe/bypassnro command to get local account, maybe that's why I never got any installed.

What about region English (World), will it work without bloatware?

 

[Marko :)]

What about region English (World), will it work without bloatware?

I think so, yes. But with English (Europe) you'll get more benefits, such as uninstalling Edge, Bing and using default web browser everywhere in Windows, because of the EU's DMA law. You'll might get somewhat enhanced privacy as well.

 

[lokamoka820]

I think so, yes. But with English (Europe) you'll get more benefits, such as uninstalling Edge, Bing and using default web browser everywhere in Windows, because of the EU's DMA law. You'll might get somewhat enhanced privacy as well.

That is great, I didn't know that different regions give different options or privacy, I was thought it's just about apps availability.

 

[fabiobr]

What is the best alternative now: Dropbox or Google Drive?

For creatives and people that needs to share a lot of files, Dropbox tends to be faster

 

[Marko :)]

That is great, I didn't know that different regions give different options or privacy, I was thought it's just about apps availability.

It's because EU has very strict privacy and anti-competition laws. Because of that, companies tend to offer these specific options just for European market and not for the rest of the world.