Nextcloud client just deleted all of my files, why did it do this?

For a long time I've used OneDrive to sync all of my files and keep them safe, but I've been really getting into self hosting all my own services, so today I set up NextCloud to replace it. I told it to sync my OneDrive folder, and it did it's best. It copied the file structure and had all the directories and everything but emptied every folder, it deleted every single file I had on my OneDrive, now all I have is empty folders.

Luckily OneDrive has a file recovery system where I can give it a time and date to revert back to so my data should all be safe, but why on earth did it do that in the first place? This was incredibly stressful and terrifying I thought I lost all my work. What did I do wrong?

Edit: I’ve identified the issue and have learned from this experience, it is now a non issue and was completely my own doing. Wary reader, learn from my cautionary tale

Comment that helped me figure it out https://lemmy.ca/comment/12912420

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19 comments

When you say "I told it to sync my one drive folder, and it did it's best" did you install nextcloud desktop and point it at the same folder that was currently syncing onedrive?
If yes, never do this. You should never layer two sync services that support virtual files over the same folder. The best way migrate to nextcloud is to use the nextcloud apps that connect to one drive and help you migrate.
Failing that the correct way would be to either set onedrive and nextcloud to sync 2 Seperate folders then copy from the onedrive folder to the nextcloud folder. Or set one drive to download all files, disable it entirely, then install nextcloud syncing with the formerly one drive folder.
- Yep I sure did the thing you said not to do. I’m very new to a lot of this stuff still learning, I didn’t think about it and thought it would just work in was able to recover all my files and everything is fine so I’m not worried about it anymore and I understand the issue now. So this has just been a learning experience, I’m moving on with the second message you suggested and just making a new folder and copying stuff over. Thanks for the input man
  
  You welcome. The more you make mistakes the more you learn, just remember backups backups backups and you should be fine.
  
  @EmoPolarbear @bpt11
  Backuos backups AND RESTORE. Seriously, test your backups.
- I feel like what you described should be a big fat warning on the nextcloud page
  OP is a lot more gracious than most internet users by accepting some responsibility. But i wouldnt blame them. I might have done the same, and i've been self hosting nextcloud for 8 years now.

19 comments