Windows 8.1 Doesn’t Allow Users to Change SkyDrive Folder

By default, SkyDrive automatically saves files in Windows 8.1 Preview in a dedicated folder located in C:\Users\Username\SkyDrive, but it turns out that there’s no way to change this.

Several users have turned to Microsoft’s support forums to ask for a workaround on this, but a company engineer has explained that Windows 8.1 Preview isn’t yet offering such an option. He hasn’t mentioned, however, whether the stable version of the OS is going to change this or not.

“By default SkyDrive will only download stubs of the original files to your local machine. The file stub will look just like the original but if you check the actual size on disk you will find that they are much smaller (in the order of a few kb). We only download the full size file if you choose the 'Make offline' option from the SkyDrive app,” the Microsoft engineer wrote.

Windows 8.1 Preview Doesn?t Allow Users to Change the Root SkyDrive Folder
 
I do not, and will not use Skydrive, and have it turned off, so its folder location is irrelevant to me.

The Recycle Bin would be a good choice, though. ;)


Wenda.
 

My Computer

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I use it limitedly, but it would be fair to be able to change its default syncing location :)
 

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I only use it on my iPhone... I use it to stash some of the gigs if pictures I've got to keep out of my iCloud account. All of my Dropboxes, Skydrives and Gdrives are filled to the brim with iPhone pictures backups.
 

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    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Damn , I use skydrive here for picture backups.....if this is the case come release , I'll have to turn it off and look elsewhere , I don't want 1000's of small image files cluttering up my boot partition...
 

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So what, no big deal. If you don't use then it is totally irrelevant, hence, just ignore it. . .it really is that simple. . .:D
 

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So what, no big deal. If you don't use then it is totally irrelevant, hence, just ignore it. . .it really is that simple. . .:D

Which is, in essence, what I said. And what I'm doing. I disabled it in Settings, and so for all intents and purposes it may as well not be there at all (which is just how I want it).

I don't get the SD folder in Explorer, and I don't have to deal with programs or apps wanting to take me there.

Cheers! ;):)


Wenda.
 

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    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
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    Full 101-key
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    USB cordless.
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    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
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    BD-ROM drive.
This is a bit alarming for those of us, like me, who use an SSD. I am running the preview on an 80GB SSD and I don't like the idea that this is storing stuff arbitrarily against my will on my limited space drive. I already have relocated the user folders (documents/videos/etc) a long time ago to a spinner, i also don't like the fgact skydrive is taking up enormous space in a file explorer window on the left side. I wanna just get rid of it.
 

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....I wanna just get rid of it.

I found a solution. First I made sure the skydrive.exe program was not running by checking all processes and services listings. I also tried to uninstall the app, but nothing happens.
This link provides a solution to remove or hide the skydrive folder from file explorer.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/28027-skydrive-remove-navigation-pane-windows-8-1-a.html

8.1 no skydrive folder.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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    16GB Crucial Ballistix
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    logitech washable K310
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    logitech wired
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    Totally silent. No fans at all.
This is a bit alarming for those of us, like me, who use an SSD. I am running the preview on an 80GB SSD and I don't like the idea that this is storing stuff arbitrarily against my will on my limited space drive. I already have relocated the user folders (documents/videos/etc) a long time ago to a spinner, i also don't like the fgact skydrive is taking up enormous space in a file explorer window on the left side. I wanna just get rid of it.

If you have nothing stored in it, it isn't taking up much space at all, apart from that used by the folder itself and any associated .ini files, which will be quite small. And if you do have anything in it, it still isn't taking up space on your machine because that's not where the files are.

They're on a Microsoft server somewhere.

If you want to get rid of Sky-Drive altogether, then go into PC Settings>Sky-Drive>Files, and turn Sky-Drive off altogether.

No space used, no Explorer folder. No problem.

Fixed!


Wenda.
 

My Computer

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    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
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    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
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    8GB@1366Mhz.
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    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
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    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
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    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
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    Stock.
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    Stock.
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    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
Hopefully that might work. I tried going into PC Settings and set every switch to OFF > on the skydrive settings.
... and I rebooted ...
Without the registry key attribute change, the skydrive folder is still in file explorer.

skysettings.jpg
 

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    16GB Crucial Ballistix
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    intel embedded gpu
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    Sound Blaster Z
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    open bench - no case enclosure
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    Silverstone HEO2 Passive Silent
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    logitech washable K310
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    Totally silent. No fans at all.
I'll just do what I did before and hardlink it's folders to my secondary drive.
 

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    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
Hopefully that might work. I tried going into PC Settings and set every switch to OFF > on the skydrive settings.
... and I rebooted ...
Without the registry key attribute change, the skydrive folder is still in file explorer.

View attachment 24346


My apologies, I was logged in (and installed with) a local account.

Once I'd logged in with an MS account, the folder reappeared. Sky-Drive did remain disabled, however.

Again, sorry for inadvertently misleading you.


Wenda
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
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    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Server 2012 / 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 QuadCore 3770k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Extreme 4
    Memory
    16GB Crucial Ballistix
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel embedded gpu
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC / Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Plextor pcie msata
    PSU
    Rosewill Silent Night 500W Fanless / PicoPSU
    Case
    open bench - no case enclosure
    Cooling
    Silverstone HEO2 Passive Silent
    Keyboard
    logitech washable K310
    Mouse
    logitech wired
    Browser
    ie / maxthon
    Other Info
    Totally silent. No fans at all.
mdmd wrote:
nice sig.

Why, thank you. :eek:

And thanks for the tip.


Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
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