How to Recover Unsynchronized Notes in OneNote for Windows 10
Question details
The user lost access to years of notes after OneNote stopped synchronizing across multiple devices and needs to recover the unsynchronized data from the local cache.
- Product
- OneNote for Windows 10
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to safely back up the local app cache to recover unsynced notes before resetting the application or switching to an alternative note-taking app.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote has stopped syncing content to the cloud, putting unsynchronized local notes at risk of permanent data loss.
Before resetting the OneNote application, you must manually locate and copy your OneNote local cache folder to your desktop to prevent permanent data loss of your unsynchronized notes.
Back up Local Cache and Reset OneNote
Use this method to safely back up unsynchronized notes from your local storage and reset the application to resolve underlying synchronization errors.
Resetting OneNote for Windows 10 clears corrupted app data that blocks synchronization. By securing a copy of the cache folder first, you ensure that offline edits can be restored once the app is functioning properly.
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Office.OneNote_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\AppData\Local\OneNote\16.0\cache.
Copy the entire 'cache' folder and paste it onto your desktop as a manual backup, then completely close the OneNote application.
Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Select 'OneNote for Windows 10', choose 'Advanced options', and click the 'Reset' button.
Copy the backup cache folder from your desktop and paste it back into its original directory in File Explorer, replacing any new files generated during the reset.
Reopen OneNote, sign in to your Microsoft account, open your notebook, and verify if the previously unsynchronized notes have been successfully restored.
Right-click the name of your notebook on the left panel, choose 'Sync', and click 'Sync This Notebook' to upload the local notes to the cloud.
Looking for a Reliable Alternative for Your Notes and Documents?
If Microsoft OneNote synchronization issues are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, comprehensive suite for creating documents and managing notes with seamless, reliable cloud backup to prevent data loss.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your operating system.
- 2. Enable WPS Cloud: Sign in with your account and activate cloud synchronization to keep your text documents securely backed up across devices.
- 3. Create and Organize: Open WPS Writer to draft, format, and save your notes using a familiar interface and reliable auto-save features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are unsynchronized OneNote notes saved locally?
In OneNote for Windows 10, unsynchronized cache files are typically stored at C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Office.OneNote_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\AppData\Local\OneNote\16.0\cache.
Will resetting OneNote for Windows 10 delete my notes?
Yes, clicking 'Reset' in Windows Settings will clear the app's local data, which permanently deletes unsynced notes. You must manually copy and back up the cache folder to another location before resetting.
How do I manually force OneNote to sync a specific notebook?
You can force a sync by right-clicking on the notebook's name in the OneNote interface, selecting 'Sync', and then clicking 'Sync This Notebook'.
Why does OneNote suddenly stop syncing across devices?
Sync failures usually occur due to unstable network connections, Microsoft server outages, conflicting edits on the same page across different devices, or a corrupted local cache file blocking the upload.
