Windows 10: OneDrive uninstallation leads to unregistrations of all Cloud Filter sync roots on the PC

Hi guys,


I'm using Windows Cloud Filter API to develop my own file syncing application on Windows 10 1803.

The API reference says that we are able to register a sync root to Windows with a CfRegisterSyncRoot() call and unregister it with CfUnregisterSyncRoot().

Also the API reference states that when sync roots are unregistered, empty placeholders are removed recursively from sync folder root.


I just noticed that everytime I uninstall OneDrive via Applications & Features, not only the sync root registered by OneDrive but sync roots registered by myself will be unregistered as well. More interesting, the empty placeholder files under my sync roots are all removed, also sync root are unregistered. I just when to regedit.exe and discovered that the keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SyncRootManager are all deleted. That is to say, the sync roots of the system are all unregsitered because of uninstallation of OneDrive.


Have OneDrive team noticed this issue? Since Cloud Filter API has already been announced public over a year, OneDrive installer/uninstaller should take care of the usage of other developers and applications running on the same Windows machine.


The environment for ref:


OneDrive installer ver. 18.222.1104.0007

Windows 10 1803 (build 17134.345)

:)

 

Windows 10 - OneDrive

Right click on the app and one of the properties has an option to not automatically start it. Uncheck, restart the computer, and it should stop. If you want to go another step further, find the OneDrive app in the start menu, right click on it and uninstall.

If that is still insufficient, there is a batch uninstaller for OneDrive available online. I can copy the code here if you need it.

 

This PC leads to the OneDrive folder.

The folders the you see on This PC are linked to your
OneDrive account, therefore when you open the folder or file, the path automatically routes to OneDrive. To prevent this from happening, we suggest that you unlink your
OneDrive account by following the steps provided in the previous post. Once you're done, you can then sign back in and change the path of your
OneDrive folder.

NOTE: OneDrive can sync only with folders on a drive formatted with the NTFS file system, which is most commonly a hard disk drive on your computer, or an external hard disk drive. Portable storage, such as USB flash drives
or solid state memory drives, use a different file system and won't sync with OneDrive.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

This PC leads to the OneDrive folder.

Hi Lance,

If your Microsoft account was synced previously to OneDrive, then the synced folders in your File Explorer will automatically direct to the OneDrive folder path to automatically upload your saved files. If you wish to stop
the automatic sync of your local folder to OneDrive, you can unlink your account by following the steps provided on this

link.

Feel free to post back should you need further assistance.