I’ll by no means sync my whole desktop with OneDrive once more — right here’s the setup I take advantage of now

I’ve been transferring away from OneDrive for some time, however the newest downside I encountered is the ultimate straw. I’m unimpressed that Microsoft inspired me to sync my desktop to OneDrive, and that it additionally considers this default habits if you first arrange the Windows cloud storage app.

On the floor, it felt handy. However, once I dug deeper, I noticed there have been undoubtedly extra cons, and it stems from the truth that OneDrive really appears to affect how my desktop works, slightly than simply mirroring and providing easy access to my files.

When I reinstalled Windows and signed again into OneDrive, I anticipated my desktop to look precisely as I had left it. Instead, it returned as a shell — icons had been there, however many of the recordsdata behind them weren’t usable till they completed downloading.

I’ve changed OneDrive for good

This is the setup I take advantage of

To be clear, I have never simply changed OneDrive — I’ve changed most of my cloud providers, particularly my free cloud storage like OneDrive and Google Drive. I’ve chosen the open-source route, choosing Nextcloud, which gives a number of choices. For occasion, you could possibly build your own Raspberry Pi cloud server with Nextcloud or repurpose an previous system. In my case, I repurposed an previous laptop computer.

I put in Linux Mint as a result of I wished one thing that works nicely even on low-spec techniques. Then, I put in Docker and Docker Compose. This is the core of my setup, permitting me to run Nextcloud and its dependencies in remoted containers. This method simplifies my set up course of and retains the host laptop clear. I’ve accomplished this for 3 fundamental causes: I’d slightly be accountable for my very own knowledge, and I’m uninterested in complaining even after paying a subscription.

However, when it got here to OneDrive, there have been so many causes I used to be glad to see the again of it.

Why I’ll by no means use OneDrive once more

I’m glad I’ve lastly ditched OneDrive — I will not be coming again

Many of the gripes I skilled with OneDrive stem from its solutions that I sync my desktop, and the plethora of points that resulted.

1. Vanishing recordsdata after reinstalls and restores

During a reinstall or when organising a brand new PC, OneDrive can robotically rebuild the desktop from its cloud copy. But the recordsdata do not arrive totally shaped. Instead, OneDrive creates placeholders. These are icons and names that appear to be recordsdata however aren’t really downloaded but.

I at all times fall for the OneDrive placeholders as a result of I assume my recordsdata are already downloaded, solely to search out, when I attempt to open them in a location with unhealthy or gradual web, that they are not obtainable. Suddenly, I could also be caught for hours with none of my necessary recordsdata.

This is identical downside as with how OneDrive implements the “Always carry on this machine” perform. If you reset your laptop, it will not matter in case you’ve marked your recordsdata as Always carry on machine, as these native copies will probably be deleted. You’ll then must re-mark them to have them downloaded again to your laptop.

2. Excess muddle from sync icons

OneDrive has a visible function that shows the syncing standing of recordsdata and folders. Some recordsdata or folders might have a inexperienced icon indicating they’re prepared, whereas others might have two blue arrows forming a circle, indicating they’re nonetheless syncing.

Sadly, it comes at a visible value. The icons, particularly on bigger desktops, are a visible overdose and create the impression of muddle. If you want your desktop to be well-organized, it is one of many belongings you’ll dislike about syncing your whole desktop.

This muddle takes a psychological toll on you as nicely, since you’re compelled to memorize what every icon means simply to know which recordsdata and folders are prepared to be used.

3. Conflicting recordsdata multiply quickly after file edits

Once your recordsdata are syncing throughout gadgets, OneDrive can create “-PCName-Conflict” duplicates if edits occur too shut collectively. This error is triggered when recordsdata are edited simply seconds aside on completely different gadgets. The quick interval between edits causes OneDrive to create duplicate recordsdata. All the duplicates downloaded to your laptop trigger confusion, and since they will not be actual copies, it’s possible you’ll not know which one comprises your most up to date work.

Additionally, in case you use apps like Photoshop or CAD that save momentary variations, OneDrive will deal with them as modified recordsdata, which will increase the variety of duplicates in your desktop.

What makes all of this regarding is that it is not a basic downside with cloud storage. For occasion, version-control techniques like Git and providers like Dropbox use sensible merges for duplicates. This is one thing that OneDrive does not try. It merely leaves a path of duplicates so that you can clear up.

4. Accidental bloat from massive desktop recordsdata

There is a critical situation with how OneDrive handles uploads, which turns into extra evident when working with bigger recordsdata. OneDrive will begin importing any file as quickly because it’s added to the synced folder. But it does this with none built-in filter to tell apart between massive and small, high- or low-priority recordsdata.

This implies that, with out planning for it, your whole web add bandwidth could also be immediately consumed, and you actually cannot do a lot till OneDrive is completed. Your solely various is to manually press pause on your entire sync.

Where OneDrive sync turns into problematic is when massive recordsdata exceed your OneDrive plan’s restrict. This occurs with out warning or error, creating an incentive to improve the plan, as you will not wish to danger a damaged sync expertise.

5. File group modifications between my gadgets

Windows makes use of a hidden grid to arrange your desktop icons, with positions saved as coordinates. But as a result of positions do not adapt throughout resolutions, the format shifts when OneDrive rebuilds the desktop to a special display screen dimension or decision. It ruins the uniform expertise you will wish to have in your gadgets.

There is, nonetheless, one other change throughout gadgets that will break some recordsdata. If you sync a shortcut linked to a particular path on one machine to a special machine, it turns into unstable and, in some instances, might not work in any respect. So whilst you have the file shortcut, it is unusable until you come back to the unique machine with the precise path.

OneDrive nonetheless has its makes use of

Open-source cloud storage apps are an effective way to spice up your privateness

If you want a low-effort option to hold your recordsdata synced, OneDrive continues to be a good possibility. However, you need to keep away from syncing your whole desktop. That’s the place I’ve seen many of the points, comparable to placeholders, duplicates, and visible muddle, seem. If you like to have management, think about what I did and discover self-hosted choices like Nextcloud. If, in the long run, you stick with OneDrive, simply being conscious of what you sync can prevent quite a lot of frustration.