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Fix: Set up OneDrive for file recovery options [Warning]

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

OneDriveis one of the best-known cloud storage services alongside Google Drive and Dropbox.

Windows 10 includes a built-in OneDriveclient appthat syncs your folders and files so you can open them from File Explorer. In many situations,OneDriveruns automatically at startup.

Using acloud storagespace is extremely useful, but usingOneDrivecomes with some risks.

Why am I being asked to set up OneDrive for file recovery?

Windows Defender warning: Set up OneDrive for file recovery options in case of a ransomware attack

The pop-up regarding therecovery options in case of a ransomware attack from Windows Defender can be very annoying, especially over long periods of time. It seems that this pop-up appears whenever users open their PC up.

This pop-up appears because the setup process for the OneDrive app hasn’t been completed successfully. Follow these steps to resolve it:

What is the file recovery option inOneDrive?

The file recovery option inOneDriveallows you to retrieve a file or folder from the cloud, in case something happens to it on your PC (it gets corrupted, you accidentally deleted it etc.).

But for this, it is necessary that you sync your PC with OneDrive by logging into your Microsoft account, as shown below.

Afterward, whenever you need to use the file recovery option, you can go toyour OneDrive accountand get the necessary file from there.

Are OneDrive files safe from ransomware?

If you choose to benefit from the OneDrive Windows client app, you should know that mostransomware attacks can recognize you stored data as essential data from your personal PC.

Since ransomware behaves like legitimate software, it can read your data, encrypt it, and write it back to yourOneDrivedeleting the original. The ransomware attacks behave as if you, the administrator, would have encrypted the files.

Why do I get theSetup OneDrive for file recoverywarning?

As a result, theWindows Defender Security Centrewill keep warning you toset upOneDrivefor file recovery in case of a ransomware attack.

The notification comes with a yellow triangle warning sign, showing the mentioned message, and it keeps popping up in the notifications area, every time the computer reboots.

Here, you can choose toCancelor open it. Canceling the notification will not help, as the warning will still show each time you restart the computer. So it’s better to address it.

How do I protect OneDrive from ransomware?

The simplest solution would be to just follow the on-screen prompts andSet upOneDrive.

You should know that this step actually implies a two-factor authenticating process in which you signing into your Microsoft account. So no actual protection is offered, only easy access to your cloud-stored files in case of a ransomware attack.

Additionally, when trying to sign in you might get a warning thatYou’re already syncing a personalOneDriveon this computer. Unlink that account to add a new one.

In this case, you should take a look at the nest step.

2. Unlink & relink OneDrive

This is a method that should refresh the link between your system andOneDrive, and cancel the nagging notification.

3. Scan OneDrive using Windows Defender

This is just a one-time action, though, and it can be applied whether you are actively using Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software.

Looking for truly free antivirus software? Check out this list!

Of course, you can just unlink your computer, as shown in the second step, and continue using anothercloud storage option. This way you will keep your important data to a location that is not connected to your OS, protected with another set of credentials.

And this would probably be the safest method, after all.

But many prefer to also keepOneDrive, just as a second option. If that is the case, there are afew other thingsthat you can try to manage the OneDrive client.

Care to give us your opinion on this topic? Please use the comment section below.

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Fix: Set up OneDrive for file recovery options [Warning]#

Why am I being asked to set up OneDrive for file recovery?#

Windows Defender warning: Set up OneDrive for file recovery options in case of a ransomware attack#

What is the file recovery option inOneDrive?#

Are OneDrive files safe from ransomware?#

Why do I get theSetup OneDrive for file recoverywarning?#

How do I protect OneDrive from ransomware?#

1. Sign in to OneDrive#

2. Unlink & relink OneDrive#

3. Scan OneDrive using Windows Defender#