OneDrive File Issues

How to Configure OneDrive Folder Backup with Group Policy or Intune

Khadija Khan Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

IT administrators need to automate the backup of users' Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to OneDrive using Intune or Group Policy.

How to Configure OneDrive Folder Backup with Group Policy or Intune

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing enterprise devices and automating user data backup to OneDrive.
Observed behavior: OneDrive synchronization is working normally, but the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders are not automatically backing up for managed users.

Before you start

Verify that your users meet the required Microsoft 365 licensing prerequisites for OneDrive and that you have a pilot group of enrolled devices ready for testing.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure OneDrive Known Folder Move via Microsoft Intune

Use Microsoft Intune configuration profiles to silently move and protect user folders to OneDrive without requiring manual intervention.

This method is ideal for cloud-managed environments. It silently redirects the default user folders to OneDrive cloud storage.

Create a Configuration Profile

Log in to the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center. Navigate to Devices > Configuration profiles and click 'Create profile'.

Select Profile Type

Choose 'Windows 10 and later' for the platform, select 'Settings catalog' or 'Administrative Templates' for the profile type, and click 'Create'.

Configure OneDrive Policies

Search for 'Silently move Windows known folders to OneDrive' and enable the policy. You will need to enter your organization's Tenant ID.

Assign to Pilot Group

Save the configuration and assign the profile to a pilot group of users. Once verified, expand the deployment to the broader organization.

Configure OneDrive Known Folder Move via Microsoft Intune

Tenant ID Requirement: You can find your Tenant ID in the Azure Active Directory portal under Properties. It is required for the silent move policy to execute correctly.

Solution 2

Enable Folder Backup Using Group Policy (GPO)

For on-premises domain-joined machines, apply OneDrive administrative templates via Group Policy Objects.

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While managing network storage and OneDrive backup policies, equip your organization with WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that easily handles documents, spreadsheets, and presentations while seamlessly accessing local and cloud-synced files.

1. Deploy WPS Office: Download the WPS Office installer and deploy it to user devices via Intune or Group Policy.
2. Access Backed-up Files: Open WPS Office and browse directly to the Desktop or Documents folders that are synced via OneDrive.
3. Edit and Save: Edit documents normally; all changes saved to known folders will automatically sync to OneDrive in the background.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight architecture ensures fast loading on any managed endpoint.Familiar user interface makes migration easy with zero training required.Seamlessly integrates with local folders backed up by OneDrive Known Folder Move.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren't my user folders syncing after applying the Intune policy?

It may take time for device policies to refresh. You can force a manual sync from the device's Work or School account settings. Also, verify that the user is signed into the OneDrive client and that the entered Tenant ID exactly matches your Azure AD directory.

Can I prevent users from disabling the folder backup?

Yes. In both Intune and GPO, you can enable the policy 'Prevent users from redirecting their Windows known folders to their PC'. This locks the setting so users cannot stop backing up their Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

What happens to existing files when the silent move policy is applied?

When Known Folder Move is triggered, any existing files in the local Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders are automatically moved and merged into the corresponding OneDrive folders in the cloud without losing data.

Document & File Issues