Data Backup Problems

How to Back Up OneNote Notebooks Stored in OneDrive

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to create local backups of OneNote notebooks that are stored in OneDrive, as standard folder copying methods do not work.

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Safeguarding cloud-stored notebooks by creating physical local copies on a Windows computer.
Observed behavior: OneNote notebooks stored in OneDrive appear as internet shortcuts rather than ordinary local folders, making local backup procedures unobvious and preventing manual copy-pasting of notebook files.

Before you start

Ensure that your OneNote application is fully synced with OneDrive before initiating any backup procedures to avoid losing recent edits.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Automatic Local Backups in OneNote

Use OneNote's built-in backup settings to automatically save copies of your cloud notebooks to a designated local drive.

Because OneDrive uses placeholder shortcuts to sync notebooks, you must rely on the OneNote desktop application to compile and export the actual backup files locally.

Open OneNote Settings

Launch the OneNote desktop application on your Windows PC. Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Navigate to Save & Backup

In the OneNote Options dialog box, click on 'Save & Backup' in the left pane.

Enable Automatic Backups

Under the 'Backup' section, check the box next to 'Automatically back up my notebook at the following time interval' and select your preferred backup frequency from the drop-down menu.

Verify Backup Folder Location

Look at the 'Save' section at the top of the window. By default, the 'Backup Folder' path is set to C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote\16.0\Backup. You can click 'Modify' if you wish to change this destination.

Force an Immediate Backup

Click the 'Back Up All Notebooks Now' button to immediately create local copies of all your open OneDrive notebooks.

Verify Synchronization First: Always verify that your notebooks are completely synchronized with the cloud before deleting any cloud content, and keep separate copies of highly important notebooks on an external drive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are OneNote local backups stored on Windows?

By default, OneNote local backups are saved at C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneNote\16.0\Backup (the '16.0' folder may vary depending on your Office version).

Why do my OneDrive notebooks appear as shortcuts on my PC?

OneDrive uses placeholder shortcuts (URL files) for OneNote notebooks to prevent sync conflicts. This means the actual data is managed natively by the OneNote app itself, rather than existing as standard folders in File Explorer.

Can I change the default local backup location for OneNote?

Yes. Open OneNote, go to File > Options > Save & Backup. In the Save section, select 'Backup Folder', click the 'Modify' button, and choose a new local destination (such as an external hard drive).

Migration & Recovery