How to Restore Desktop Files from OneDrive

Can I recover my files from OneDrive and restore them to my desktop?

OneDrive is widely used and embraced globally due to its adaptability as a cloud service. For the convenience of accessing their files on various devices, numerous Windows users utilize OneDrive to store and sync their critical files.

However, data loss appears to occur consistently at the same time. If OneDrive synch delete your files on the computer but do not save them online. They are not in the online or desktop recovery folders either. Can you get these files back?

Some users have reported encountering the issue of disappearing files in OneDrive. Numerous users reported that their data, particularly desktop files, was lost following synchronization, eradication, or backup.

Can OneDrive back up desktop files?

Yes, OneDrive can back up desktop files. When you set up OneDrive on your computer, you can choose to back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to OneDrive. Any files or folders on your desktop will be saved to your OneDrive account and accessed from other devices or restored if needed.

To enable this backup:

Step 1. Open OneDrive Settings: Right-click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar and select "Settings."

Step 2. Go to the Backup tab: In the OneDrive settings, click on the "Backup" tab.

Step 3. Manage Backup: Click on the "Manage backup" button under "Important PC Folders."

Step 4. Select folders: Check the boxes for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, then click "Start Backup."

However, the available storage space for users to store and sync their data is limited to only 5 GB, which is frequently insufficient for a desktop backup. Additionally, this feature is more akin to synchronizing the desktop with OneDrive. The desktop folder will be relocated from C:\Users\username\Desktop to C:\Users\username\OneDrive\Desktop upon activation of the desktop backup.

No wonder so many users are in tears over the fact that their "OneDrive backup" files were deleted. However, be assured that desktop files have not yet been recovered. Consequently, this article will assist you in determining "How to restore files from OneDrive to my computer" even if there are no backups or if the files were irreversibly deleted.

Restore deleted desktop files without OneDrive backup

As you are aware, OneDrive retains purged files for 30 days, then, how to restore desktop files from OneDrive after deletion?

You can recover deleted files or folders in OneDrive before their removal. However, you would be deprived of access if they were irrevocably deleted. In light of this, it may be prudent to seek assistance from a data recovery instrument that is both effective and efficient.

AOMEI FastRecovery is capable of effortlessly recovering deleted and missing files, even after they have been permanently deleted.

🙆🏼‍♀️ All-encompassing: It facilitates the recovery of data following deletion, system crashes, virus attacks, formatting, and the emptying of the recycle container.
⚡ Convenient: It is user-friendly, enabling all users to operate it without any issues.
🧐 Competent: It is capable of retrieving over 1000 categories of data, such as photos, videos, and documents, from various storage devices, such as HDDs, SSDs, SD cards, and USB flash drives.
💪🏼 Compatible: It is compatible with NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, ReFS, and Windows Server on Windows 11/10/8/7.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first to find your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering ends.

2 ways to restore desktop files from OneDrive

If you discovered that your desktop files disappeared after you backed up your desktop, there is no need for concern; your files are still accessible via the OneDrive cloud. There are two methods for recovering files from OneDrive to a PC.

Method 1: Recover from the OneDrive

You can first try getting the files from the OneDrive website. This is because they are stored in the OneDrive cloud.

Sign in to your Microsoft account on the OneDrive website, then go to the Desktop folder and find the files that have "disappeared." Click the menu icon and choose "Download."

Method 2: Directly move the files from the OneDrive folder

To get back PC files from OneDrive that are stored locally, you can go straight to the OneDrive local folder if you can't sign in with your account right now.

Step 1. Press the Win+E key to open This PC or File Explorer. In the sidebar, find OneDrive for Personal and click on it. Or:

This PC > click the C: drive > Users > username > OneDrive > Desktop

Step 2. Pick out all the files you need and drag them to where you want them to go. Or, drag them back to where they were on the desktop.

Conclusion

People who have lost desktop files can read this post to find out how to restore desktop files from OneDrive. Your files may have been lost after you turned on the OneDrive desktop backup or after you deleted them. Sometimes, your PC files were not lost after you backed them up; they just stayed in the OneDrive cloud. You can get the files from the website or by going to the OneDrive folder on your computer.

Let's say that the desktop files were deleted on purpose or by accident. It would then be possible to go to the Recycle Bin or, if you'd rather, use a professional data recovery app like AOMEI FastReccovery to get help.