Is it possible to create a disk image of a PC but exclude the contents of Microsoft One Drive?

There isn't a great way to exclude content from an image backup.  The only available mechanism is documented here, but read it carefully, and note that this will exclude that content from all image backups, not just those run by a certain definition file.  If that mechanism doesn't work for you, does OneDrive allow you to change the local folder where its content is cached?  If so, you could create a separate partition for that data and perhaps any other data you didn't want included in your OS image backups.  I for example have a D drive that contains almost all of my data and leave only my OS and applications on C.  That allows me to capture fast backups of my OS state when needed, and those backups will contain minimal personal/sensitive information.  It also allows me to back up my OS/apps and data on separate schedules and with different retention policies.

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jphughan - 26 March 2018 4:29 PM

There isn't a great way to exclude content from an image backup.  The only available mechanism is documented here, but read it carefully, and note that this will exclude that content from all image backups, not just those run by a certain definition file.  If that mechanism doesn't work for you, does OneDrive allow you to change the local folder where its content is cached?  If so, you could create a separate partition for that data and perhaps any other data you didn't want included in your OS image backups.  I for example have a D drive that contains almost all of my data and leave only my OS and applications on C.  That allows me to capture fast backups of my OS state when needed, and those backups will contain minimal personal/sensitive information.  It also allows me to back up my OS/apps and data on separate schedules and with different retention policies.

Thank you for the fast response.

I haven't done it but have a look at:  
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/change-onedrive-default-location-windows+10/
There are probably other how-to articles as well.
If you are only storing in the cloud it shouldn't take any space on your PC but if you use the option to keep them in both locations then it's a different story.​​​​

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Seekforever - 26 March 2018 7:53 PM

I haven't done it but have a look at:  
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/change-onedrive-default-location-windows+10/
There are probably other how-to articles as well.
If you are only storing in the cloud it shouldn't take any space on your PC but if you use the option to keep them in both locations then it's a different story.

Can you tell me how to set One Drive to only store in the cloud so it won't take up any space on my PC?
Where is the option to keep them in both locations?

Thank you for your response.

^ That's a great point.  This link shows how to determine what files are offline and manage what's stored offline.  It seems that Windows 7 did it one way, then 8.1 changed it, then Windows 10 went back to the Windows 7 way, but since that irritated people, a subsequent Win10 update may have gone back to the 8.1 way.  The article is from a bit over 2 years ago, but it may be enough to help you determine what's going on and make adjustments if desired.

Note that choosing to store nothing locally will result in slower access to your files, since every file will have to download before it opens and then uploaded before it saves, unless perhaps Microsoft always has some level of caching going on to keep your most recently accessed files available offline and queue updated files for background upload later rather than making the application wait until the file uploads before confirming that the file has been saved.  I don't use OneDrive myself, so I'm not sure.

Right click on one of the folders under the main OneDrive heading in Explorer. To keep on the PC the option is "Keep on this Device" to have in cloud only select "Free Up Space". If they are only stored in the cloud, there will be a little cloud icon beside a folder in the listing. If it is in both places the icon is a check mark within a circle, IIRC.
You may be able to do this globally (affects all sub-folders) by right-clicking on the Main One Drive item in Explorer.
I would check this out using a test folder before doing it with your real files to ensure it gives you what you want (and doesn't delete them in both places)!​​​

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Seekforever - 26 March 2018 8:06 PM

Right click on one of the folders under the main OneDrive heading in Explorer. To keep on the PC the option is "Keep on this Device" to have in cloud only select "Free Up Space". If they are only stored in the cloud, there will be a little cloud icon beside a folder in the listing. If it is in both places the icon is a check mark within a circle, IIRC.
You may be able to do this globally (affects all sub-folders) by right-clicking on the Main One Drive item in Explorer.
I would check this out using a test folder before doing it with your real files to ensure it gives you what you want (and doesn't delete them in both places)!

Replies to jphughan and Seekforever

When I Right click on one of the folders under the main OneDrive heading in Explorer. I don't see To keep on the PC the option is "Keep on this Device" to have in cloud only select "Free Up Space". I do see "Settings". in One Drive Settings > Files On Demand > Save space and download files as you use them. If I check this box I don't think the files will be save on my PC. I am running Windows 10. The question now is once I check this box will the fies on my local PC go away but stay in One Drive. I am currently uploading files so I will wait until that is finished and see what happens. It appers that I don't have the option on a sub directory under One Drive.

I have the Files on Demand settingd in OneDrive settings. I'm also using Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Are you running the latest versions of Windows and Onedrive - they have made changes it seems. See

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/learn-about-onedrive-files-on-demand-0e6860d3-d9f3-4971-b321-7092438fb38e?ui=en-US&rs=en-CA&ad=CA

My Onedrive is Version 2018  Build 18.025.0204.0009

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Seekforever - 26 March 2018 8:32 PM

I have the Files on Demand settingd in OneDrive settings. I'm also using Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Are you running the latest versions of Windows and Onedrive - they have made changes it seems. See

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/learn-about-onedrive-files-on-demand-0e6860d3-d9f3-4971-b321-7092438fb38e?ui=en-US&rs=en-CA&ad=CA

My Onedrive is Version 2018  Build 18.025.0204.0009

Yes I have files on Demand Setting. My Onedrive is Version 2018 (Build 18.044.0301.0005). I'm also using Windows 10 Fall Creators Update Version 1709 (OS Build 16299.309)