plan-sess_f4be0258-d5a5-4e06-9dbf-cb675941b15b.md 2.6 KB
Stop programs from defaulting to "OneDrive - iicx": redirect Windows' Desktop/Documents/Pictures known folders back to C:\Users\xander..., so "Save to Documents" lands locally again. The iicx folder itself stays untouched as a plain archive.
Why this happens
"OneDrive folder backup" (Known Folder Move) has redirected your Desktop, Documents and Pictures to C:\Users\xander\OneDrive - iicx... Programs resolve "Documents" through this system setting — that's why they keep choosing that folder.
Phase 1 — Verify what's redirected (me, read-only commands)
- Read HKCU...\Explorer\User Shell Folders registry to confirm exactly which known folders point into OneDrive - iicx (and whether personal OneDrive redirected any too).
- Check OneDrive's enforced-policy state if readable.
Phase 2 — Turn the redirect off at the source (user GUI step, ~2 min)
- OneDrive tray icon → Settings → Sync and backup → Manage backup → turn OFF Desktop, Documents, Pictures (on the iicx account). Windows immediately restores the default locations (C:\Users\xander\Desktop, \Documents, \Pictures).
- If a toggle is greyed out or comes back ON by itself (org-enforced policy), fallback: I reset the User Shell Folders registry values to defaults directly and add the KFMBlockOptIn=1 policy key so the iicx tenant can't re-redirect them.
- Same check for the personal OneDrive account — per your "local only" choice, its backup toggles should be OFF too so programs don't just default to the personal OneDrive instead.
Phase 3 — Bring your current files back into view (me, commands)
- Merge the live content from OneDrive - iicx\Desktop|Documents|Pictures into the local folders (robocopy, newer files win, nothing deleted from the iicx folder).
- Verify with you: Desktop and Documents show your current files; a test save in any app lands in C:\Users\xander\Documents.
Phase 4 — Make sure it never comes back (me + user)
- Optional but recommended: in OneDrive Settings → Account, "Unlink this PC" for iicx, then I rename the folder to C:\Users\xander\iicx-archive. The iicx account itself stays in Windows (your Office license needs it) — if OneDrive ever recreates the sync, the KFMBlockOptIn policy from step 3 keeps your folders local.
- Note: a few programs remember their own "last saved location" — those will follow the new default on next use or after picking the local folder once.
Nothing is deleted at any point
The iicx folder (and its cloud copy) keep everything; we only change where Windows points "Documents/Desktop/Pictures" and copy the live files back locally.