Microsoft forces OneDrive backups: Windows 11 choice vanishes

During installation, Windows 11 has always suggested enabling automatic backup of key folders via OneDrive. However, this step was not mandatory. Recently, Microsoft has become so keen on using the cloud that the ability to skip this step has disappeared.

Installing Windows 11 is straightforward and surprisingly does not require any advanced knowledge from the user. The wizard guides the installer step-by-step, presenting the benefits of various features with friendly graphics and animations. However, Microsoft is known for persistently proposing optional features to users. Previously, one could simply opt out of these, even though the "Yes" button was promoted.

One of these stages during the installation of Windows 11 is the suggestion to enable automatic backups and data synchronisation with the OneDrive cloud. The concept is simple - the most important folders (which can be manually selected) are continuously copied to the cloud drive, so in case of a computer failure or configuring new hardware, they are automatically uploaded to the new system.

Some users consciously do not use this feature to avoid cluttering their new computer with cloud data that might be important but could remain in OneDrive. However, as PCWorld pointed out recently, the option has disappeared from the Windows 11 installer—automatic file synchronisation with OneDrive is simply active from the start and cannot be opted out of during the Windows 11 installation.

Fortunately, you can disable it later. Simply go to the Windows 11 settings and turn off automatic data synchronisation in the section related to synchronisation and backup options. However, this does not change the fact that right after installing Windows 11 on a new computer, if there is an active internet connection (especially if it is fast), all the files from the cloud might appear on the desktop and among documents before the user has a chance to react.