FFS to backup local OneDrive files TO EXTERNAL DR?

[mikewillnot]

All the discussions here with OneDrive issues seem to be focused on using FFS to back up files to OD cloud, something I confess I don't quite understand. Also, I don't trust cloud backup, or OD cloud backup, for one thing because where I live, internet access cannot be relied on. I've used FFS for a few years for local backup. We recently migrated to MS365 and OD, and all our important data files now live in local OneDrive folders, synced with the OD cloud. I tried to adjust the FFS profile to add the local OD files for syncing to our external drive, and it doesn't work. I freely admit I'm not the tech expert I used to be, and don't quite understand the problem, but I'm actually more interested in a solution anyway. I would be grateful for any suggestions that are understandable. THX

[LeoW]

Please check one thing first. Onedrive has two different configurations available. One configuration stores a local copy of all of the files on the PC in addition to them being in the cloud. The second configuration is designed to save space on the PC and so the files are kept only in the cloud and they appear to you as though they are on your PC even though they are not. What usually happens in this case is the file when you access it will get downloaded from the cloud to the PC and you think that the file was on your PC. You need to check the default settings in Windows Onedrive and confirm that the files are all being stored locally on your computer. It's quite common for backup and sync software to not be able to back up cloud drives that are not actually storing the files on the PC.

Look in the settings area of the onedrive app running in your system tray.

If you turn off wifi or turn on airplane mode, you should be able to open all your docs. If you can't, the files are not on your PC.

[xCSxXenon]

This is commonly referred as "Files on Demand", for future searchers, but Leo is not right!
By default, all content will be available. The setting Leo is referring to is not related to the description they provided! The Files-on-Demand option is what is being described, but the screenshots and instructions provided are going to determine what files/folders display in the local "OneDrive" folder, as described in the settings window itself.

In theory, the OneDrive client will download files as they are accessed, if they aren't stored locally yet. I haven't tested recently, but I would guess that syncing the local OneDrive folder to an external drive via FFS would trigger this and should work fine. The issue OP is having is likely unrelated to all of this, but there is no issue description to go off of.

mikewillnot, open FFS, select the configuration you are trying to use, take a screenshot of the full FFS window, and post it here. We can likely figure it out. Screenshots of the configuration settings may help also

[LeoW]

In theory, the OneDrive client will download files as they are accessed, if they aren't stored locally yet. I haven't tested recently, but I would guess that syncing the local OneDrive folder to an external drive via FFS would trigger this and should work fine. The issue OP is having is likely unrelated to all of this, but there is no issue description to go off of.

I will attach a corrected picture.

"Files On Demand" was the default setting on my brand new 22H2 Windows 11 computer.

I have a brand new two month old Windows 11 computer that I am testing with right now. The default setting from Microsoft was for my onedrive files to be available on demand only!!! I just did a test backup of my onedrive folder using FREE file sync and Windows had to download each file one at a time in order to complete the backup. I will attach that picture as well. So, free file sync did back up the files that were stored in the cloud only it's just that it's not the way you want to operate day to day if you're going to be using a free file sync.

FFS tech support onedrive two.png (28.76 KiB) Viewed 1345 times

I am speaking from experience. I provide Windows support for a living. I have had more than one customer that "thought" and ASSUMED incorrectly their onedrive files were on their computer when they were actually not.

These are the corrected instructions/diagrams for disabling files on demand. The process does have some variations depending upon the version of Onedrive and windows you have running.

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-onedrive-files-on-demand-in-windows-11.4371/

Personally, I back up my computer with a product called backblaze and it has the ability to back up my onedrive folder but only under the conditions specified as I stated above. they cannot and will not be able to back up files if they are streaming on demand from the cloud. I know this from personal experience and from the following technical document.
https://help.backblaze.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004365253-Can-Backblaze-backup-my-OneDrive-folder-Windows-

Even though backblaze is backup software and it's running on the computer it will not backup files that are streaming from the cloud. It is entirely possible that other products have a similar problem. The backup software would have to wait for each and every individual file to get downloaded from the cloud before it could get backed up. Their software simply won't do it.

Some synchronization and backup software products will not work both ways so it is important to confirm that the files are stored locally.

That's all.

FFS tech support onedrive one.png (85.71 KiB) Viewed 1345 times

[xCSxXenon]

I also support Windows customers daily! I'm sure we have the same horror stories to tell LOL
You are correct though, by default, OneDrive is "On-Demand". I have not seen a way to toggle a setting to store everything permanently on my customer's computers, only the option to "Download all files" as your picture references. Your mileage may vary on this? My personal computer has the toggle to completely disable it, so it seems Microsoft is in limbo right now

[LeoW]

"My personal computer has the toggle to completely disable it, so it seems Microsoft is in limbo right now"

This means that your personal computer is running the old method of the software not the new one. It makes more sense the old way. Then again you and I wouldn't have a job if Microsoft did everything correctly!

Check out the link I posted above from elevenforum.com
It covers both the new and old way to turn on and turn off files on demand and what you want in Windows 11 is the new way to turn off files on demand and that is by clicking on the download all files button in the picture above. When you click on the button it will calculate how much additional local disk space will be consumed and let you know before you continue. Then, on-demand should be "Off"

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-onedrive-files-on-demand-in-windows-11.4371/