Data Backup Problems

Fix OneNote Backup Not Including All Notebooks

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 15, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to fully back up all OneNote notebooks, but the built-in backup command only processes the Quick Notes section while ignoring other notebooks.

Fix OneNote Backup Not Including All Notebooks

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Using the Back Up All Notebooks command to secure notebook data locally.
Observed behavior: The backup process completes but only creates a Quick Notes backup instead of backing up all frequently used notebooks, typically due to missing backup folders or disabled OneDrive settings.

Before you start

Verify whether your primary notebooks are stored locally on your hard drive or synced to OneDrive, and ensure you have permission to create and modify folders on your target backup drive.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Valid Backup Folder and Enable OneDrive Sync Options

Establish a valid destination folder with proper write permissions and configure OneNote to include cloud-stored notebooks in local backups.

When the target backup folder does not exist or is stored outside expected system bounds, OneNote may fail to export standard notebooks. Additionally, notebooks hosted on OneDrive require specific settings to be included in a local backup.

Create the Backup Folder

Navigate to the drive or directory where you want to store your backups, right-click, select 'New' > 'Folder', and name it 'OneNote Backup'.

Access Save and Backup Settings

Open OneNote, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, select 'Options', and then click 'Save and Backup' from the navigation pane.

Modify the Backup Location

Under the 'Save' section, highlight 'Backup Folder', click the 'Modify' button, and select the 'OneNote Backup' folder you just created.

Enable Cloud Notebook Backup

In the same menu, locate the option labeled 'Back up notebooks stored on SharePoint' (or OneDrive) and check the box to ensure cloud notebooks are included.

Run the Manual Backup

Click the 'Back Up All Notebooks Now' button, wait for the process to complete, and check your destination folder to confirm your notebook files are present.

Create a Valid Backup Folder and Enable OneDrive Sync Options

Backup Verified: After running the backup, you should see folders for each of your notebooks instead of just the Quick Notes section.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote only back up my Quick Notes?

This commonly occurs if the designated backup folder doesn't exist, if OneNote lacks write permissions to that directory, or if your primary notebooks are stored on OneDrive and the specific setting to back up cloud-stored notebooks is disabled.

Where is the default backup folder for OneNote located?

By default, OneNote stores your automatic backups in a hidden local folder. You can usually find it at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote\[Version]\Backup.

How do I change how often OneNote automatically backs up my notebooks?

Go to File > Options > Save and Backup. Under the Backup section, you can change the 'Auto Backup' frequency from the default 1 week to 1 day or even 1 minute, depending on your needs.

Can I save my OneNote backups to an external USB drive?

Yes, simply connect your USB drive, create a folder on it, and then go to File > Options > Save and Backup in OneNote. Select 'Backup Folder', click 'Modify', and choose the folder on your external drive.

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