Seeing double files after transfer to new computer

Hi, Dan Marinberg

This sounds less like the normal OneDrive “cloud vs green check” status display, and more like the old local files may have been copied into a folder that OneDrive was already syncing. When OneDrive sees two files with the same name, it may keep both and rename one with “(1)” rather than overwrite anything.

Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try:

First, don’t delete anything straight away. Open OneDrive on the web and check whether the correct files are there. Treat the web version as your safest reference point before cleaning up the PC.

On the new computer, pause OneDrive sync first from the OneDrive cloud icon near the clock. Then search inside Documents or OneDrive for (1) so you can see only the duplicate-looking files. Move those (1) files to a temporary folder outside OneDrive, such as C:\Temp-OneDrive-Duplicates, instead of deleting them. After that, resume sync and check that the original files still open correctly.

It is also recommended that you clear OneDrive’s saved sign-in/sync settings, because stale credentials can cause duplicate/conflict copies. Press Windows + R, paste:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings

and delete PreSignInSettingsConfig.json, then restart OneDrive.

If the duplicates come back, unlink and relink OneDrive from OneDrive settings. Also check OneDrive’s “Manage backup” area and make sure Desktop/Documents/Pictures were not manually copied and also being backed up by OneDrive at the same time. That double setup is a common cause after moving to a new PC.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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