How to delete a dead-end OneDrive entrie/icon in toplevel Desktop pane

DiracDeBroglie · 13 Sep 2023

Hi,

I got TWO OneDrive icons in the top Desktop pane. See attached picture.

First, at the top-level File Explorer window, click This PC. Then at the left of the address bar at the top push the arrow one up, that takes you to the top-level Desktop.

There I got TWO OneDrive icons.

The one I pointed at in the screenshot is not connected with any OneDrive folder, that particular OneDrive icon is a dead-end icon.

The other (blue-clouded) OneDrive icon is working just fine and is connected to a folder on the D: data drive.

I've been moving heaven and earth to remove/delete and get rid of that bad dead-end OneDrive icon, but it just does not go away!

Any idea how to delete that OneDrive icon?

Thanks in advance,
ddb

bro67 · 13 Sep 2023

Look in your user profile to see if said onedrive folder shows up in there as first step.

DiracDeBroglie · 14 Sep 2023

I just had a look in all user profile folders and could not find anything pointing in the direction of OneDrive.

I had a look at all the desktop.ini files in all the Desktop folders of all users, and there was nothing about OneDrive.

Note that the Admin account is all ok, no problems with any OneDrive icon appearing at the wrong place. Admin user account is on C:

It is only the standard user account that had this dead-end OneDrive icon problem after I moved all the standaard user folders (Documents, Music, ....., almost all folders) to the D: data partition.

I can't exactly remember when the dead-end icon appeared, but a few days ago I had to rebuild my D: data drive, took a backup, and then restored (copy/paste) everything. So for a while the C: system drive must've been dangling looking for a connection with the D: drive. Maybe that is the reason for the dead-end OneDrive icon somehow, though I am not sure.

Again, where exactly (file, folder path, ... ) should I look for info about what appears on the Desktop?

Thanks

dalchina · 14 Sep 2023

I note you have hidden files viewable (note desktop.ini).

Try reverting to the default setting (Folder and Search Options, View).

DiracDeBroglie · 14 Sep 2023

Hi,
Thanks for replying. There is no difference between system files being visible or hidden. I all circumstances the dead-end OneDrive icon remains visible.
I just had a look at the NTUSER.DAT file in the user account and it looks there is info in that file about the dead-end OneDrive icon. I just wonder if there is any possibility to look into ntuser.dat with a readable interface that would allow me editing the file. Isn't there any way to reset that file? Can I delete NTUSER.DAT? Would that somehow reset and rebuild the account?
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dalchina · 14 Sep 2023

You might try
How to Reset OneDrive Sync in Windows 10

given you've moved data files.

There are many tutorials on OneDrive in the huge searchable Tutorials section.

Note that given OneDrive's complexity and the issues that may arise in use, a good number of members have chosen to uninstall it.

DiracDeBroglie · 15 Sep 2023

I've done the reset several times. It did not help. I'll see if I can clear the cache. If that does not help either, I will reinstall OneDrive and see if that works out. I'll report back.
Thanks for suggestions.

- - - Updated - - -

Hi,

I finally got it solved. Just by uninstalling OneDrive the dead-end OneDrive icon disappeared.

There are several ways to re-install OneDrive.

BTW, I tested the OneDrive app from the Microsoft Store, but this app only gives you access to the online OneDrive account and its content. In my case it didn't sync or upload anything to the online OneDrive account and it doesn't appear in the system tray. The app is a very different thing than the "embedded" OneDrive, which does appear in the system tray and where you can adjust its settings. Confusing is that!

So, I re-installed the "embedded" OneDrive and there are mainly two ways to do that:
1) Go to the system folder C:\Windows\WinSxS , then in the Search field search for OneDriveSetup and run that. It'll install the original OneDrive. See:
How to Reinstall Microsoft OneDrive on Windows 10
2) Download and run the OneDrive setup file from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/micr...drive/download

In both cases OneDrive nicely re-installed resulting in 2 cloudy OneDrive icons in the lef navigation pane in the File Explorer.

After linking to my online OneDrive account, the second icon got the name of my account, the first cloud icon remained generic as it was not linked to any account and when double clicking it, it showed the online inlog pane, which seems obvious.

So, problem solved!

Some remarks, though:
--The new OneDrive installation Settings pane comes with the Windows 7 layout with only little buttons and confusing settings that do not draw attention. I just wonder were the Windows 10 settings pane layout has gone to.
--Also, upon linking to my online account, the newly installed OneDrive uploaded/synced immediately my Desktop folder, entire Documents and Pictures folder without any warning or confirmation!!! And after that my local Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders on my local drive (computer) were deleted!!!! Wow!!!
--The reason for that is upon linking with the online account the setup is asking to backup those folders and by DEFAULT it is set to back up those folder. So turn that OFF. You have to do that EACH time when you link you account.
--Best is to test all that by UNlinking en linking your account several times and verify each time ALL checkboxes. Also reboot between those tests. So take your time when linking or logging into your account and READ carefully what flies by.

Some recommendations:
In the Settings of OneDrive (right click cloud icon in the notification area, click cogwheel), then first tab [Settings], UNcheck the box [Start OneDrive automatically when starting Windows]. This might avoid accidents ... And preferably reboot between the tests.

That awkward behavior of OneDrive and its sometimes confusing, unclear and ambiguous Settings pane layout are the subjects for a few new threads.

Thanks for the feedback

dalchina · 15 Sep 2023

Agreed, not something to be taken lightly, requiring familiarity and understanding to be able to anticipate what it will do.

Lots of tutorials in the Tutorials section.

Have a look at those, and if there's a need for a beginner's guide to setting up OneDrive in addition, feel free to propose one.

There are easier tools for synching and online backup.

Note: there have been plenty of attempts at a guide:

DiracDeBroglie · 15 Sep 2023

Thanks for the guides. Unfortunately, guides are not really the thing that users are looking for.

I find it trivial that apps are user-friendly, interact with the user and refrain from doing things that can frustrate the user like deleting or syncing files without asking confirmation first, especially right after having re-installed the app of right after having logged in.

People are sensitive to (1) loosing their files and (2) seeing them ending up at places where they don't wanna see them because of privacy reasons. MS should be pay more attention to user's sensitivities.

Most annoying to me is the pane layout; some important settings simply don't attract attention when you see them flying by. So users just go next, next, ... until ... boem!

Graphical/visual layout design of any setting pane is of utmost importance. After 40 years MS still doesn't get it!!!

Safety, security, user-friendliness, .... it all needs to be integrated into the app itself and into the design-culture of the developers, and with MS that "culture" seems to be the problem.
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dalchina · 15 Sep 2023

Agreed- which is why so many choose to uninstall OneDrive rather than try to cope with its idiosyncrasies and invasiveness.

Similarly, Windows search is so often derided - when it's actually pretty good when set up and used properly- and it's a lot more complex if you know any of the syntax (I note Everything borrowed elements from that).

Then MS shot itself in the foot in 1909 by making disastrous changes to it (which are mostly reversible with 1 click in Winaero's Tweaker)- and its reputation for high CPU usage lives on from XP days.

Certainly not a consumer tool, but with content indexing and near-instant results, I use it from time to time.

'Null points' as a consumer-oriented tool though.