Trying to leave one drive

Hi, Jonathan Raj

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

Thanks for your question. What happened is that OneDrive was syncing your Desktop folder, so even though you saw C:\Users\USER\Desktop, it was actually being redirected into C:\Users\USER\OneDrive\Desktop. When you deleted files from OneDrive, you also deleted your Desktop contents.

Here’s how you can try to get your files back and then properly separate OneDrive from your Desktop:

Step 1: Check the OneDrive Recycle Bin

• Go to OneDrive online.
• Sign in with the account you had linked.
• Open the Recycle Bin (left-hand menu).
• If your Desktop files are there, you can restore them directly.

Step 2: Check the Windows Recycle Bin

• Open the Recycle Bin on your PC.
• Look for your missing Desktop files.
• If found, right-click → Restore.

Step 3: Use File History or Previous Versions

• Right-click on your Desktop folder (C:\Users\USER\Desktop).
• Select Properties → Previous Versions.
• If File History or System Restore was enabled, you may see earlier snapshots to restore from.

Step 4: Use Data Recovery Tools (if needed)

If neither recycle bin nor previous versions help, you may need recovery software. Tools like Windows File Recovery can scan for deleted files.

Step 5: Stop OneDrive from Syncing Desktop

Once you recover your files, you’ll want to unlink Desktop from OneDrive so this doesn’t happen again:

• Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar → Settings.
• Go to Sync and backup (or Backup tab in older versions).
• Under Manage backup, turn off syncing for Desktop (and Documents/Pictures if you don’t want them in OneDrive).
• Move your restored files back into C:\Users\USER\Desktop (outside OneDrive).

Hope this helps. Feel free to get back if you have other questions.

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