Known Folder Move After Migration

Your migration is done and the files sit safely in the new OneDrive. Then a user says, "My desktop still saves to the old account." That is Known Folder Move doing exactly what it was set up to do.

I see this after almost every tenant move. This guide covers Known Folder Move after migration, how to stop folder backup in OneDrive, how to stop files from saving to OneDrive and how to start clean on the new tenant.

What does Known Folder Move do After a Migration?

Microsoft's page on redirecting and moving Windows known folders to OneDrive says the feature covers Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Screenshots and Camera Roll. Once a folder is backed up, the PC saves new files straight to OneDrive.

A migration tool copies the files in the cloud. It does not change the settings on the PC. So the PC still points at the old account until someone changes it. New files keep landing in the source tenant, and the copy you just made goes stale.

In my experience, this is the most missed step in a tenant move. The data is fine. The habit on the laptop is what needs fixing.

Which Case Matches Your Situation?

Find your case first. The fix is different for every case.

How do You Stop Folder Backup in OneDrive?

These steps come from Microsoft's page on backing up your folders with OneDrive. They work when a user wants to stop files from saving to OneDrive.

1. Open OneDrive settings. Select the cloud icon in the notification area, then Help & Settings and then Settings.
2. Go to Sync and backup. Open the Sync and backup tab in the settings window.
3. Open Manage backup. Select Manage backup to see the folders OneDrive backs up.
4. Switch off the folder. Use the toggle for the folder you want to stop backing up.
5. Choose where the files stay. Microsoft offers two options. Keep the files only in OneDrive and remove them from the computer, or keep the files only on the PC and remove them from OneDrive.

Read the second option twice. It removes the files from OneDrive. After a tenant move, use it only on the old account and only after you have checked the copy in the new tenant.

Microsoft also lists three errors that can block the change. Cloud-only files must be set to Always keep on this device first. OneNote notebooks cannot move to the PC because they live in the cloud. Open files must be saved and closed before the move.

How can Admins Control Known Folder Move?

Admins have three policies in Microsoft's Known Folder Move guidance. Choose the one that matches your goal for the new tenant.

• Silently move Windows known folders to OneDrive. Microsoft says this moves folders without user interaction. After a folder moves, the policy does not affect it again.
• Prompt users to move Windows known folders to OneDrive. Microsoft recommends pairing it with the silent policy, so users get a prompt if a silent move fails.
• Prevent users from moving their Windows known folders to OneDrive. Use it when you want folders to stay local.

Microsoft recommends a gentle rollout for the silent policy on existing devices. It suggests no more than 1,000 devices a day and 4,000 a week. Plan the new tenant rollout in waves, not in one push.

One more warning from the same page. The OneDrive policies do not work if Documents, Pictures or Desktop were redirected by Windows Folder Redirection to a non-OneDrive location. Disable that redirection first.

How do You Move Folder Backup to the New Tenant?

Do these in order. Start with the data, then the PC, and leave the old account alone until you are sure.

First, finish the copy and check it. RecoveryTools OneDrive Migrator copies files with original dates, hash checks every file and never overwrites existing files. Anything a user or tenant configured is set up again at the far side. That covers sync client settings and Files On-Demand choices, so users sign in to the new account and choose their folders again.

Second, stop backup in the old account on every PC, using the steps above. Third, sign in to the new account and start backup again for Desktop, Documents and Pictures. Fourth, keep the source tenant read-only for a while before you remove anything. If sync looks stuck after this, read OneDrive not syncing after migration.

For the copy itself, see how to migrate OneDrive from one tenant to another and OneDrive cross-tenant migration. To copy a single user, read how to copy OneDrive files to another account. For old file versions, see OneDrive version history after migration.

What are the Best Practices for Folder Backup After a Move?

• Verify the copy first. Compare file counts and the per-file report before anyone stops the old backup.
• Stop old backup on every PC. One forgotten laptop keeps writing to the source tenant.
• Use waves for the silent policy. Follow Microsoft's limit of 1,000 devices a day.
• Tell users what changes. They sign in again and choose their folders again, so send a short note.
• Close files and sync cloud-only items. Microsoft lists open files and cloud-only files as blockers.

Which Mistakes Cause Lost Files After a Move?

Three come up often. First, choosing to keep files only on the PC before the copy is checked, which removes them from the old OneDrive. Second, leaving old accounts signed in so files keep saving to the source. Third, applying the silent policy on top of Group Policy folder redirection.

My Verdict on Known Folder Move After Migration

The cloud copy is only half the job. Backup settings live on the PC, so you have to change them there.

Copy and check the data, stop the old backup, sign in to the new account and start backup again. Keep the source read-only until everyone is done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Published 16 October 2026. Steps and policies come from Microsoft's pages on backing up your folders with OneDrive and redirecting known folders to OneDrive. Product behavior comes from the RecoveryTools OneDrive Migrator page. Microsoft can change these settings, so check them before you plan.