Why OneDrive Keeps Recreating the Attachments Folder & How to Fix It
Question details
Users want to know why the Attachments folder keeps reappearing in OneDrive after being deleted, and how to stop this automatic recreation.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows, Android
- Scenario
- Organizing cloud storage and attempting to permanently delete unwanted default folders in OneDrive.
- Observed behavior
- The Attachments and sometimes Documents folders are recreated daily or automatically by default Microsoft account behavior, even when the user has never actively saved attachments to them.
Verify if any linked Microsoft services, such as Outlook or the Windows Mail app, are actively set to save email attachments to your OneDrive account.
Automate Folder Deletion Using a Batch Script
Since folder creation is a hardcoded default behavior in OneDrive without a direct toggle, you can bypass the issue by setting up a Windows script that automatically deletes the folder every day.
This method creates a simple script that deletes the specific Attachments folder silently in the background.
You will use Windows Task Scheduler to run this script daily so you do not have to manually delete the folder anymore.
Open Notepad on your Windows PC and paste the following command: rd /s /q "%UserProfile%\OneDrive\Attachments".
Click 'File' > 'Save As'. Name the file 'DeleteAttachments.bat' (ensure the 'Save as type' is set to 'All Files') and save it to a safe location like your Documents folder.
Press the Windows key, type 'Task Scheduler', and press Enter. Click on 'Create Basic Task' in the right-hand panel.
Name the task 'Remove OneDrive Attachments', set the trigger to 'Daily', and choose the 'Start a program' action. Browse and select your 'DeleteAttachments.bat' file, then finish the setup.
Report the Recurring Folder Issue to Microsoft
Because this intrusive behavior cannot be disabled through user-facing settings, submitting feedback directly to Microsoft is the best way to request a permanent toggle or fix.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Tired of frustrating cloud syncing issues and forced default behaviors? Try WPS Office. It is a powerful, lightweight, and completely free alternative to Microsoft Office that gives you full control over your files and local storage without injecting unwanted cloud folders.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free version for your specific operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation prompts to configure the software.
- 3. Open files effortlessly: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft OneDrive automatically create an Attachments folder?
The Attachments folder is a default system folder built into Microsoft accounts. It is designed to automatically store attachments from Outlook.com or the native Windows Mail app, and OneDrive is programmed to ensure it exists by default.
Will deleting the OneDrive Attachments folder delete my Outlook emails?
No, deleting the Attachments folder from OneDrive only removes the files stored in that specific cloud directory. Your actual emails in Outlook will remain safe and untouched.
Can I permanently turn off default folder creation in OneDrive settings?
Currently, there is no user-facing setting within OneDrive or the Microsoft account dashboard to permanently prevent default system folders (like Attachments or Documents) from being recreated.
