OneDrive automatically backups folders in Windows 11 without users' permissions ( windowsreport.com )

According to the latest reports, Windows 11 has made an independent choice by automatically turning on OneDrive folder backup for Desktop, Pictures, Documents, Music, and Video folders without your permission. This signifies that, whether you approve or not, everything is becoming coordinated with the cloud.

This action from Microsoft fits into a larger pattern where big tech companies cleverly (or not so cleverly) promote their services and subscriptions to users. It isn’t only about Microsoft; there have been instances of Google doing something similar with Google Photos and its storage plans.

Keep an eye on your settings, particularly when you have just finished setting up a new device or updating your operating system. Companies such as Microsoft constantly seek methods to link users with their environments—sometimes without permission.

NegativeLookBehind ,
@NegativeLookBehind@lemmy.world avatar

When you download something without permission, you’re a criminal

When MicroShit does it, it’s a feature

refurbishedrefurbisher ,

Well you see, they put it in page 69 of their EULA that got updated last week that they emailed directly to your spam folder. Since you didn't opt out of that clause my sending a registered letter to their offices in Uganda, Japan, Washington, and Ukraine, it is considered that you agreed to the EULA.

terminhell ,

Gotta get scrapping all that data to train copilot+++

frezik ,

Vote this up higher. I wouldn't be surprised at all if everything ends up in their models.

werefreeatlast ,

Oh it was your data? Oops! Embarrassing! Anyway, introducing MAIS! Microsoft AI system!

lynx ,

This is probably the only reason microsoft recall exists, as it is completely useless for anything else.

octopus_ink ,

This one never really gets old anymore.

https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/e6507aae-0903-4b36-b738-9023ad4d5e9a.webp

SexualPolytope ,
@SexualPolytope@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Rapist mentality.

MataVatnik ,
@MataVatnik@lemmy.world avatar

Yes, this. That's essentially the attitude of all of these corporate exec. They know it's wrong and do it anyways.

TheDarksteel94 ,

I'm pretty sure they don't think it's wrong.

MataVatnik ,
@MataVatnik@lemmy.world avatar

Maybe maybe not. But they sure as shit do things they know they wouldn't be able to get away with in any other situation.

TheDarksteel94 ,

Yeah, that's sadly what a lot of companies do. Push it until people complain, then back off a little for a while and then push further once people are used to the status quo. Rinse and repeat.

MonkderDritte ,

There's always a justification to be abused somewhere.

neo ,

Your honour, I asked her if she wanted to have it and she said no. I wasn't sure what that meant so I asked again. And to make things clearer I told her that "yes" and "maybe later" where the only options. She still didn't say yes, but after some time I decided that "later" had come. So I Azure you, I did nothing wrong.

r3df0x ,

Louis Rossman is a far right extremist who promotes unfounded conspiracy theories against technical corporations.

I'm wondering how many people won't know if that's serious or not.

Miyabi ,
@Miyabi@lemmy.zip avatar

Yes, he does talk a lot about "what ifs" but a lot of his "conspiracy theories" are in the realm of reality. If you do your own research, I think you'll see that most companies are getting shittier as time goes on.

WallEx ,

You could say if you're serious or not, but hey

sylver_dragon ,

Every new "feature" I hear about in Windows Privacy Invasion Goes to 11, the happier I am that I switched to Linux. It's been mostly smooth and games have just worked. Though I know that much of that is because of Proton.

pufferfisherpowder ,

Funnily, or sadly enough, OneDrive integration is one of the things I miss from my windows days. It's just extremely convenient how it's integrated into explorer and office. And how well the smart/ on-demand sync works. I can't find a setup to replicate this on Linux.

That being said I don't intend to go back and this move is insane.

Impromptu2599 ,

Have you played with NextCloud

sylver_dragon ,

If you are willing to self-host, I've found Nextcloud integrates well in Linux. I had been using it before I made the switch and it worked out just fine afterwards. I originally set it up to have a cloud-sync option for my phone, which didn't mean passing everything through Google first. But, it also proved to be a handy way to sync files on my desktop as well.
It just shows up as another folder on my system and Libre Office is happy to work on files from there (with some permissions fiddling due to flatpak).

pufferfisherpowder ,

Yes, but I can't get the virtual file system/on-demand sync to work properly. It turn off every time I reboot. I gave up after a while since it's experimental for now anyway.

Petter1 ,

I use Nexcloud-client and so far, it syncred the ~/nextcloud folder pretty good with my Linux devices so far, but I do not jave huge files in it either. Mostly my keepass file.

sylver_dragon ,

That's interesting. I've not had that sort of issue. On my phone (Android), my son's laptop (Windows) and my desktop (Arch Linux) the NextCloud clients all sync perfectly and run at start up. Granted, knowing that the Linux landscape is fractured, I wouldn't be overly surprised if the client had issues on some flavors of Linux.

pufferfisherpowder ,

The client works fine, it's just the virtual file system option that turns off after a reboot.

sylver_dragon ,

My apologies, I was not familiar with the difference. I'm going to have to test this when I am back at my system. Looking at the docs, it does seem to be experimental in Linux. But it seems odd that it would turn off automagically.

paridoxical ,

ExpanDrive is not free (as in libre or beer), but it's great for OneDrive integration with the filesystem. Been using it for this for a few months now with no issues. Just my two cents.

pufferfisherpowder ,

Thanks! I looked at it but I would like to stop giving money to MS. So my plan is to ultimately move away from OneDrive.

GreatBlueHeron ,

I'm in a similar situation - I'm a (retired) Unix admin and have Linux servers at home but I'm still on windows for my desktop because of OneDrive. If you use it as intended, it works really well. I can login to my laptop, my phone or either of my wife's PC's and all my stuff is just there.

Yes, I've tried nextcloud and it's close, but the windows sync client is (was?) broken - the upload speed throttling logic is broken and it was going to take ages to sync my data. I went to the nextcloud community and it seemed to be a known issue that know one cares about because the sync just happens in the background and it's done when it's done.

As I typed this I realised that if I move to Linux desktop I don't care about the windows sync client :-) So now I've just got the issue that I won't get my wife off windows and if we're paying for 5TB of cloud storage, I might as well use it. Yes, I know there are ways to use OneDrive on Linux, but it doesn't look as seamless and I'd be always concerned that Microsoft will do something to break it.

pufferfisherpowder ,

Thank you! I thought was going nuts. It's been such a long time since I had think about whether something is synced or a way to set it up. With OneDrive I could just grab the files I needed from the cloud and push them off the drive if I needed space. It really took away any hassle about sync.

It really feels like moving to Linux is a step back 10 years when it comes to cloud storage.
I also tried nextcloud but the smart / on-demand/ virtual file system is experimental in the Linux client and doesn't work as seemlesly as OneDrive. Besides being turned off every time I restart.

terminhell ,

I had luck with increasing memory allocation in my php config for mine. Also having more ram may help if you have bigger files. Afaik nextcloud doesn't have caching like unraid or truenas. I'm not aware of transfer speed issues. I've also no issues saturating my 1gig connection to it either.

GreatBlueHeron ,

My issue was specifically the windows sync client - not server or web related. I turned on debug in the client and watched the logs and saw it making stupid (IMHO) decisions about speed throttling.

terminhell ,

Oh, hmm idk bout that then.

cyberpunk007 ,

I've been using next loud with my Nas for years. I sync things to it. Linux Windows Mac, doesn't matter. Even my phone.

partial_accumen ,

...only if you HAVE onedrive account it can reach.

This is a fantastic use case for NOT using a Microsoft account and instead a local account. No Microsoft authenticated account, no Onedrive.

ra1d3n ,

Good thing they are phasing out local accounts, then.

/s

derbolle ,

until you can no longer log on with just a local Account. or your Data gets backed up for you anyway.
Enshittification is one exec decision away

r3df0x ,

When I use Windows 11, I use a second local non admin account.

frezik ,

I wonder about Microsoft's liability on this one. People store all sorts of things in there, some personal, and some corporate things that are at least non-public, if not outright sensitive. Yeah, people should be using an encrypted drive for especially sensitive info (not that this would stop Microsoft when they own the OS), but they don't, and it's not for Microsoft to force the issue.

Did their legal department actually sign off on this? Or did someone in MS legal just shit a brick when they saw the headlines?

AeroLemming ,

If Microsoft was a smaller company, this would completely ruin them and the next headline would be them declaring bankruptcy after failing to fight off 50,000 lawsuits. Fortunately for them, laws don't apply to companies their size.

SkyNTP ,

Looks like I'm installing Linux tonight.

ripcord ,
@ripcord@lemmy.world avatar

Did you?

TurdMongler ,

Yeah. Which one did you go with?!

aStonedSanta ,

I’d say try Nobara if you wanna game.

CileTheSane ,
@CileTheSane@lemmy.ca avatar

Mint was painless for me and I've had no problems with my Steam library

r3df0x ,

I finally installed Linux Mint along with Windows 11.

Audacious ,

Even on windows 10, Onedrive uploaded random crap you don't want and then yells at you that the space is full and buy a subscription. It has to be the worst cloud service of them all because of the bullshit integration. It was easier to disable and remove it than to work with it.

viking ,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

I have disabled and uninstalled it, but office 365 still enforces it as the default save as location, so now when I use the dialogue, the system hangs for 30 seconds. Even disabled it in the policy management, but no dice.

c0mad0r ,
@c0mad0r@mastodon.world avatar

@viking @Audacious Wise Registry Cleaner may help here. It's like the old ccleaner but without the spying and complaints to buy. The issue is most likely registry related.

viking ,
@viking@infosec.pub avatar

Oh nice, thanks! Will give it a shot.

cheese_greater ,

Apple does it too if you sign in in the Settings. iCloud gets booted up the moment you sign in and everything goes to the iCloud

DJDarren ,
@DJDarren@thelemmy.club avatar

Not everything. By default the contents of your desktop and documents folder, both of which are easy to switch off if you want.

cheese_greater ,

I was thinking if iOS haha, my bad.

Ghostalmedia ,
@Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world avatar

True, although their OSes don’t really disclose what is and is not being stored in the cloud by default. I like iCloud syncing, so it doesn’t bother me, but I could see how this would annoy others who want everything local.

11111one11111 ,

I thought part of the apple agreement was that all your data is on their servers. Isn't that why my media messages from Android to Apple phones look like shit, because Apple only sends shit through their servers and refuses to adapt the industry standard for mobile data?

cheese_greater , (edited )

They turn iMessage on by default when you sign in because signing into your account and signing into iCloud purposefully conflated. Its very sneaky and arguably just as bad as the whole Microsoft local accounts lol. Also iCloud backups didn't use to be e2ee and iMessage backups which also weren't e2ee because the iCloud backups werent e2ee and held the keys to all the iMessage. Funny stuff.

To sign into your account locally and avoid iCloud, you have to sign in in the AppStore on both iOS and MacOS. Its fhe only way. On Mac, iCloud is activated by signing in the Settings place (same as iOS) or that Apple Media Account/Services modal they pester you with constantly.

This is to say, they turn it on by default under the facade that every Appl user would want to have all their private communications redirected through their servers via iMessage (its free and blue message so cool) and then there's multiple backdoors to your conversations even tho its said its e2ee and only accessible to you

Part of agreement

C'mon, seriously, nobody reads those. They're way too long and they get updated all the time. Its easier to disabke iCloud and use real proper apps like Signal. I avoid the Appl native apps like the plague. Their privacy nutrition labels should all be No Data Collected or only like Disgnostic stuff but basically every one captures UserContent and other invasive data.

phoenixz ,

Install Linux already, just get it over with.

teamevil ,

I'm still learning but it's so much less aggressive in Linux land.

vinyl ,

Make VR work on Linux

phx ,

Literally one of the very few things keeping me with a Windows partition, though it doesn't get used very often

Alatain ,
@Alatain@lemmy.world avatar

My understanding is that it is working much better now than a few months ago. I haven't actually put it to the test yet, but it is on my list of things to try once I have time to set up my index again.

Sabata11792 ,
@Sabata11792@ani.social avatar

I have it somewhat working on Nobara after SteamVR updated a few weeks back. It works, but is rather unstable and you got to reboot any time it craps out. 6/10 technically functional, but needs work.

It doesn't help that my headset has had odd issues even on Windows since it's refurbished.

vinyl ,

Yea I fucked around a lot to make it work, Nobara is usually the most stable one to get vr working but valve keeps pushing out updates that completely fucks up the vr launch process. The other big issue is asynchronous reprojection missing.

Mwa ,
@Mwa@thelemmy.club avatar

People usually don't use linux because or app compatibility ik wine exists but it just doesn't not work with all apps

Zetta ,

To really switch to Linux people need to accept that for a good experience you may need to switch off some software to alternative software.

This wasn't a big deal for me personally and I'm happy I use more open source software now, it can be a bigger issue especially if you need specific tools for work.

Mwa ,
@Mwa@thelemmy.club avatar

I agree, Dont forget game anti-cheat to

maxinstuff ,
@maxinstuff@lemmy.world avatar

Yes, install Linux and the end up using O365 in the cloud anyways 🤡

BigTrout75 ,

"All your base are belong to us"

lauha ,

You have no chance to survive make your time

digdilem ,

Remember when Word and Excel Autosave did what you expected it to?

CorrodedCranium ,
@CorrodedCranium@leminal.space avatar

I wonder how this will work with local accounts

Logh ,

Not sure there will be any.

Godnroc ,

"We've gone ahead and synced all your files to the cloud! Create an account to access them once again.

Enter your email: ______

[ Click here to delay the inevitable ]"

penquin ,
@penquin@lemm.ee avatar

It just won't work for a local account. This is for those who sign in/up. And those who are forced to sign in/up in the first setup. My hate towards Microsoft and all the companies like it increases every fucking day.

frezik ,

Coincidentally, they make it harder to use a local account with every update.

Duke_Nukem_1990 ,

Last night I updated my BIOS and afterwards my Linux Boot Manager entry was gone. Almost expected but still didn't prepare a LiveUSB, stupid. Had to boot into Windows for the first time in a year and was greeted with the message "Hey some security thing changed, your pin is no longer working. Wanna create a new one?" Of course you need to log in to your Microsoft account for that, otherwise you straight up can't use your install anymore.

Holzkohlen ,

Your mistake was using a MS account for your windows install

Duke_Nukem_1990 ,

Believe me, I know :D

I have half a mind to just nuke both partitions and just reinstall Arch on the entire drive.

Although I am wondering what would have happened, if I didn't have Windows installed after the BIOS update. No boot entries at all? 🤔

Default_Defect ,
@Default_Defect@midwest.social avatar

Well, I deleted Onedrive a long time ago, so no it won't.

cyberpunk007 ,

It will sneak back on. Linux is the only answer.

Windows is the only operating system that is actively working against you these days. Sneaks in shit settings. Renenables disabled settings. Spies on you. Requires convoluted registry ha ks to stop some of the bullshit. And you always gotta be in too of it.

No thanks, not for me.

Default_Defect ,
@Default_Defect@midwest.social avatar

People keep saying this, but I've never had to redo any of the changes I've made.

cyberpunk007 ,

I'm guessing you audit all the network traffic out of your machine too, to ensure things are not being exfiltrated? I assume you've also never had settings turned back on after an update? I sure as shit have.

Default_Defect ,
@Default_Defect@midwest.social avatar

I've never had the settings turned back on after an update, but no I don't monitor my network traffic, if I cared that much, I'd already be on linux.

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