Managing OneDrive through a fresh Windows 10 installation

DSMB · 25 Dec 2021

I'm upgrading the storage on my laptop and am struggling to find information on how to deal with OneDrive. Naturally, everything relating to OneDrive and restoration utilises OneDrive as a means of data backup, which is basically the opposite of what I need.

I currently have two drives. The OS/boot drive (SSD) and a secondary storage drive (HDD). The OneDrive folder is on the HDD.

The upgrade will replace both drives. I was considering cloning, mainly from a driver/compatibility perspective. However it's configured to boot with BIOS, and the drives are MBR. So at this stage I want to start fresh, with UEFI and GPT.

I will install programs as I need them. The only problem I have is that I do not know if I can re-install OneDrive without re-downloading all data. My OneDrive currently holds 140GB and I'd like it all available locally. 140GB is not something I can practically download via my mobile phone (I do not have a fixed connection). I'd like to copy the OneDrive folder to an external device, then after installing OneDrive on the fresh install, restore the folder and then point OneDrive to that.

Can anyone confirm that re-configuring OneDrive will be as simple as just copying the folder to the new drive, and then linking the freshly installed OneDrive to that? Will it not try upload all the data in the folder?

I'm not sure it's relevant, but just in case, system:
ASUS G750JW
Windows 10 21H1

Many thanks.

DSMB · 07 Jan 2022

I've completed a fresh install and setting up OneDrive setup was straightforward with no file issues or download requirements. The following are just the processes I went though in case anyone finds anything useful.

I created in image with Macrium. Backed up drivers with DISM. Created a recovery USB with the built in Recovery Media Creator.
First off I converted the boot drive to GPT with the built in MBR2GPT tool just for testing purposes.

Validate with MBR2GPT: In cmd with administrator settings:

Code:

mbr2gpt /validate /disk:1 /allowFullOS
Disk layout validation failed for disk 1

Failed due to too many partitions. Check active recovery partition:

Code:

reagentc /info
Windows RE location:      \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk1\partition3\Recovery\WindowsREBoot Configuration Data

Delete other recovery partition:

Code:

 list disk
    Disk ###  Status         Size     Free     Dyn  Gpt
    --------  -------------  -------  -------  ---  ---
    Disk 0    Online          931 GB      0 B
    Disk 1    Online          256 GB      0 B

select disk 1 list partition
    Partition ###  Type              Size     Offset
    -------------  ----------------  -------  -------
    Partition 1    Primary            500 MB  1024 KB
    Partition 2    Primary            254 GB   501 MB
    Partition 3    Recovery           562 MB   255 GB <-- partition 3 is active
    Partition 4    Recovery           509 MB   255 GB <-- partition 4 is inactive (509 MB)

select partition 4 delete partition
Cannot delete a protected partition without the force protected parameter set.

delete partition override
DiskPart successfully deleted the selected partition.

Convert with MBR2GPT

Code:

mbr2gpt /validate /disk:1 /allowFullOS
MBR2GPT: Validation completed successfully

Boot into advanced start-up, then in advanced options, run the command prompt:

Code:

mbr2gpt /convert
[...]
Call WinReReapir to repair WinRE
MBR2GPT: Failed to update ReAgent.xml, please try to manually disable and enable WinRE.
MBR2GPT: Before the new system can boot properly you need to switch the firmware to boot UEFI mode!

Regardless of that error, the system booted fine with no additional changes required. I still booted back to recovery mode, and enabled secure boot.

Checked system info:

Code:

Win + R > msinfo32.exe

BIOS Mode UEFI

Swapped out internal HDD for new SSD (with all files copied over) and assigned the old driver letter.

When OneDrive signed in, it seemed to immediately recognise the folder. I did not have internet connection, so OneDrive never signed in between swapping out disks and assigning the drive letter.

I then did a clean install.

Swap out C drive for SSD.
Boot laptop from recovery USB.
Choose to reset PC --> Immediate failure.
Remove other storage drive. Retry. --> Fails at about 70%.
Disable secure boot. --> Fails at about 70%.
Try other recovery USB (I created 2). --> Fails at about 70%.
Install old SSD and Boot Windows.
Scan drive with DISM:

Code:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
No component store corruption detected.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
No component store corruption detected.

Downloaded Media Creation Tool and create recovery drive.
Boot recovery drive and install windows (delete all partitions and create new partition during setup).

Shutdown windows and install other SSD.
Boot up. Drive does not show. Shutdown.
Re-seat drive and enable secure boot.
Drive shows up.
Assign correct drive letter.

Sign into OneDrive. It starts syncing to the default location.
Unlink account.
Sign in to initiate setup process.
Point to folder on storage drive.
OneDrive signs in and verifies integrity of every single file, downloading only one file that had become corrupted.