Windows 11 25H2: a clean install may switch on OneDrive folder backup by itself

People who install Windows 11 from scratch may get a surprise: the system can switch on synchronisation of selected folders with the OneDrive cloud on its own. The Polish tech site Antyweb reported this on 8 November 2026.

What happens during setup

The problem affects fresh installs of Windows 11 version 25H2. If you sign in with a Microsoft account the first time you start the system, it may automatically activate folder backup in OneDrive. The mechanism mainly covers three locations: Desktop, Documents and Pictures.

Their contents are linked to the OneDrive folder, and files saved there are sent to the cloud. This lets you reach them from other devices, but it changes how private data is stored. According to Antyweb, the user does not have to explicitly confirm this decision.

Checking is simple: open the properties of the Documents folder. If its path leads to the OneDrive folder, backup is switched on.

The 5 GB limit

A free OneDrive account offers only 5 GB of space. If you have a lot of photos and documents, you can use it up quickly. Once the limit is exceeded, there are restrictions on uploading and syncing further data. Microsoft warns that staying over the limit for a long time may lead to the account being frozen and, later, to data being deleted from OneDrive.

How to switch off syncing

You do not need to uninstall OneDrive or give up your Microsoft account. You only need to change the backup settings:

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area (if you cannot see it, expand the hidden icons).
2. Open settings by clicking the cog icon.
3. Go to the "Sync and backup" tab.
4. Choose "Manage backup".
5. Turn off the folders you do not want to keep in the cloud and confirm the changes.

It is worth reading the messages carefully. OneDrive may ask whether files should stay in the cloud or return to the computer's drive. If you want to keep them locally, choose the appropriate option and check that the files are on the device.

How to avoid the problem from the start

If you do not want to use Microsoft's cloud services, you can set up Windows 11 without signing in to a Microsoft account. This avoids some of the automatic links to the company's services.

The author stresses that syncing itself is not bad: it can protect documents from loss and makes them easier to reach from several devices. The trouble is that the system turns it on without sufficiently clear information.

What this means for you

If you buy a new computer or install the system from scratch in the UK, check your OneDrive settings after setup. This matters especially on computers holding personal documents, such as tenancy agreements, tax paperwork or scans of immigration documents. It is also worth watching the free 5 GB limit.