Get iCloud archive files for Outlook out of One Drive

I have found problems with the Outlook PST files residing in OneDrive. I do use OneDrive and routinely change the location of all 6 folders Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music and Videos in Windows to be in \Users\username\OneDrive\, but PST files are database files, which means that ever change I make in an Outlook PST file throughout the day; OneDrive is set to backup to the cloud every file that changes as soon as it changes so OneDrive is constantly trying to copy the PST file throughout the day. Some of my PST files can be GB in size, so this is obviously a problem to be constantly backing up GB files. So I routinely move the entire \Outlook Files\ folder and all my PST files back to their original location.

Here is how I solve the problem, I move the entire \Outlook Files\ and all the PST files back to their original location:

1. Close Outlook
2. In File Explorer move the entire \Outlook Files\ sub folder from \OneDrive\Documents\ back to c:\users\username\documents\. This moves the PST files back to their original location before I starting using OneDrive.
3. \Outlook Files\ may now be the only folder in the original Documents folder, which is fine.
4. Open Outlook. Outlook will halt opening saying my PST file(s) is/are missing and give me a chance to locate the file or create a new one. I want to locate the file by navigating to c:\users\username\documents\Outlook Files\ and I select the appropriate PST file.
5. Note: If I have more than one PST file, Outlook will ask for each one, one at a time. I repeat to select each PST file that Outlook asks for.

Also note that you may have old PST files in \Outlook Files\ that Outlook never asks for. If so, these files are probably old and not important or they may be old Archive.pst files that can be added back to Outlook anytime you need to lookup something old. See: How to manage .pst files in Microsoft Outlook

Caution: Your PST files now only reside on your C:\ drive and are no longer being backed up by OneDrive. You have some choices on how you want to back them up. I use a variety of ways for different disaster scenarios.

1. I use EaseUS Todo Backup Free to copy my entire C:\ drive to an external hard drive once per month in case my C:\ drive fails or becomes encrypted by ransomware. But if my house burns down or explodes in a gas line disaster...
2. I also use FreeFileSync to copy my \Outlook Files\ folder to \OneDrive\Backups\Outlook Files\ once per month (I make the Backups folder in OneDrive). I close Outlook and manually run FreeFileSync to copy the contents of the folder to OneDrive which will put them in the cloud for safe keeping.
3. I can also use a Security Suite (Norton Security) to make sure my \Outlook Files\ folder is being backed up to their servers.

Remember disasters can take many forms, crashed hard drive, ransomware, fires, hurricanes, tornado, floods, mud slides, earthquakes, collapsed condos, gas line explosions, etc., so best to be prepared with multiple backups on and off site.

I hope this helps.