How to Fix OneDrive Deleting and Re-uploading Files (And Prevent Massive Sync Issues)

When a user states, "Onedrive has just deleted 61GB of files from my Onedrive cloud storage and is now uploading those files again from my PC. How did this happen and how can I prevent it happening again?" , it points to a critical breakdown in the two-way sync protocol. Based on official Microsoft Community support, this typically happens due to three main triggers within the Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home |

How Did This Happen? Understanding the Root Causes

When a user states, "Onedrive has just deleted 61GB of files from my Onedrive cloud storage and is now uploading those files again from my PC. How did this happen and how can I prevent it happening again?" , it points to a critical breakdown in the two-way sync protocol. Based on official Microsoft Community support, this typically happens due to three main triggers within the Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows environment

The workflow begins at a specific OneDrive entry point: Pause the Sync immediately. Click the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar system tray. Click the Help & Settings (gear) icon, select Pause syncing , and choose 2 hours . Expected Result: The upload process stops immediately, freeing up your CPU and bandwidth

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting: Stopping the Re-upload

Work through the following OneDrive Deleting and Re-uploading Files sequence in OneDrive, beginning from Click the OneDrive cloud icon > Help & Settings > Settings.

1. Pause the Sync immediately. Click the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar system tray. Click the Help & Settings (gear) icon, select Pause syncing , and choose 2 hours . Expected Result: The upload process stops immediately, freeing up your CPU and bandwidth
2. Back up local files. Open File Explorer, navigate to your local OneDrive folder, copy the 61GB of files, and paste them into a completely separate local directory (e.g., C:\LocalBackup)
3. Unlink the PC. Click the OneDrive cloud icon > Help & Settings > Settings . Go to the Account tab and click the Unlink this PC button. Expected Result: OneDrive will sign you out and sever the connection between your local folder and the cloud
4. Verify the Cloud Recycle Bin. Log into OneDrive via your web browser. Click Recycle bin on the left menu. If your 61GB of files are there, select them and click Restore
5. Relink and Merge. Open the OneDrive desktop app, sign back in, and point it to the exact same local folder location. When prompted that a folder already exists, choose Use this folder . Expected Result: OneDrive will scan and merge the files rather than re-uploading them from scratch

How to Verify the OneDrive Result

Run the final check exactly as described: Relink and Merge. Open the OneDrive desktop app, sign back in, and point it to the exact same local folder location. When prompted that a folder already exists, choose Use this folder . Expected Result: OneDrive will scan and merge the files rather than re-uploading them from scratch If it fails, return to Click the OneDrive cloud icon > Help & Settings > Settings and confirm that Pause the Sync immediately. Click the blue was applied to the intended item.

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OneDrive FAQs About OneDrive Deleting and Re-uploading Files

What visible result confirms Fix OneDrive Deleting and Re-uploading Files (And Prevent Massive Sync Issues)?

Use this topic-specific acceptance check: Relink and Merge. Open the OneDrive desktop app, sign back in, and point it to the exact same local folder location. When prompted that a folder already exists, choose Use this folder The change is not complete until that result appears.

Why might the controls for Fix OneDrive Deleting and Re-uploading Files (And Prevent Massive Sync Issues) be missing?

Begin at the documented entry point: Pause the Sync immediately. Click the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar system tray. Click the Help & Settings (gear) icon, select Pause syncing A different app version, platform, license, or signed-in account can expose a different set of controls.

Does the active OneDrive account matter for Fix OneDrive Deleting and Re-uploading Files (And Prevent Massive Sync Issues)?

Yes. For Fix OneDrive Deleting and Re-uploading Files (And Prevent Massive Sync Issues), confirm the account, organization, and item owner before repeating the steps because permissions and licensing can change the available commands.

What should I preserve before changing Fix OneDrive Deleting and Re-uploading Files (And Prevent Massive Sync Issues)?

Keep an untouched copy of the affected file or record the current setting. After the change, validate it with this check: Relink and Merge. Open the OneDrive desktop app, sign back in, and point it to the exact same local folder location. When prompted that a folder already exists, choose Use this folder