I opened an old file and started to make changes. I went to run a duplicate merge search but got an error message saying “SQLite 2 - file locked.” I checked its path and was shocked to see it is in OneDrive which I had closed years ago and thought I took everything out of there. I do not have OneDrive icon anywhere on my desktop and cannot open it anywhere. I don’t want to anyway, yet I am afraid if I reinstall OneDrive, it will suddenly grab everything on my desktop. Advice will be much appreciated.
OneDrive has become an integral part of Windows to the extent that can be almost impossible to get rid of. It’s not totally impossible, but getting rid of it is almost the same as deleting Windows from your machine.
That being said, in addition to being software that syncs files between your computer and the Microsoft cloud, OneDrive is a folder on your computer. So you can go to that folder with Windows File Explorer to see what is there. This process does not involve starting OneDrive or stopping OneDrive or installing OneDrive or uninstalling OneDrive or anything like that. Just think of OneDrive as a folder and go there. Having gone there, you can move any files you find there to some other folder that is not a part of the OneDrive folder. And having done so, you should be able to open your RM database.
And having said that, getting out from under OneDrive is not always as simple as that. For example, you might move some files from OneDrive to your Documents folder. You might then discover that your Documents folder has been taken over and owned by the OneDrive software.
I wish I could be a little more specific with a recommendation of where to move you files so OneDrive won’t grab them. The best way is probably to create a folder under your Windows userid called MyStuff or something like that and to move everything there.
Thank you. Unfortunately, as I said in my previous message, I do not see anywhere in Explorer or on the PC or anywhere where there is OneDrive. Nothing, nada. The reason I found the databse was in OneDrive was I checked its path in the title bar (??) and discovered it was in OneDrive. At least the path shows OneDrive.
I am now getting a new message that says “Application error. Exception EReach Error in module Roots Magic exe at 0005F3EC. Error reading Edit Person. On execute: Property on Execute does not exist.”
Path is “C:\Users\kahil\Desktop\Weeks-Carpenter-Wright July 2026.rmgc” and the icon is there on the desktop, but I am now unable to open it.
Karen A Hill
Someone replied to your post.
| thejerrybryan
July 12 |
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OneDrive has become an integral part of Windows to the extent that can be almost impossible to get rid of. It’s not totally impossible, but getting rid of it is almost the same as deleting Windows from your machine.
That being said, in addition to being software that syncs files between your computer and the Microsoft cloud, OneDrive is a folder on your computer. So you can go to that folder with Windows File Explorer to see what is there. This process does not involve starting OneDrive or stopping OneDrive or installing OneDrive or uninstalling OneDrive or anything like that. Just think of OneDrive as a folder and go there. Having gone there, you can move any files you find there to some other folder that is not a part of the OneDrive folder. And having done so, you should be able to open your RM database.
And having said that, getting out from under OneDrive is not always as simple as that. For example, you might move some files from OneDrive to your Documents folder. You might then discover that your Documents folder has been taken over and owned by the OneDrive software.
I wish I could be a little more specific with a recommendation of where to move you files so OneDrive won’t grab them. The best way is probably to create a folder under your Windows userid called MyStuff or something like that and to move everything there.
Can you post the path that has OneDrive? And for example, if you are on Windows I mean all the way back to the C: drive and if you are on a Mac all the way back to the root of the disk.
I may not be the best person to give this technical advise.
I used OneDrive – and I have even successfully used OneDrive with versions 7-10 (even without pausing depending).
Since Ver 11 – and also getting new computer I moved my active use database to separate folder (outside of the user directory etc on C drive) – OneDrive should never even be aware of the path. Of course eveything else is on my O drive drive (2nd internal drive) and is backup my that OneDrive account-- I actually have two OneDriver accounts. I am probably in unique minority to having that setup.
I did nothing, and now all is fine!
Karen
Someone replied to your post.
July 12 |
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Can you post the path that has OneDrive? And for example, if you are on Windows I mean all the way back to the C: drive and if you are on a Mac all the way back to the root of the disk.
I think you still need to move your RM database out of the OneDrive folder. Otherwise, this is likely to happen again. That’s why I was asking that you post the file path for your RM database.
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I thought I did. I will try again.
Karen
Someone replied to your post.
July 13 |
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kahill1918:
I did nothing, and now all is fine!
I think you still need to move your RM database out of the OneDrive folder. Otherwise, this is likely to happen again. That’s why I was asking that you post the file path for your RM database.
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Checking if a file or folder is syncing with OneDrive on Windows is straightforward, as Windows integrates OneDrive directly into File Explorer.
The easiest way to tell is by looking at the Status icons next to your file and folder names.
1. Check the File Explorer “Status” Column
Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E) and navigate to your OneDrive folder. Look at the small overlay icons on your files or the dedicated Status column:
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Blue/White Cloud: The file is Online-only. It is safely synced to the cloud and isn’t taking up space on your hard drive, but it will download instantly when you open it. -
White Circle with a Green Border: The file is Locally available. You’ve opened it, it has downloaded to your computer, and you can edit it offline. It may return to online-only if your computer runs low on storage. -
Solid Green Circle with a White Check: The file is set to “Always keep on this device”. It takes up local storage space and is permanently downloaded so you can access it anytime, anywhere. -
Two Blue Circular Arrows: The file or folder is currently syncing (uploading or downloading changes right now) . -
Red Circle with a White X: There is a sync error. The file or folder is inside your OneDrive directory, but something is blocking it from uploading (like an invalid file name, a file size limitation, or a connection drop).
Tip: If you don’t see these icons, click the View tab at the top of File Explorer and make sure your layout is set to Details.
2. Check via the Right-Click Context Menu
If you want to quickly see your options or force a status change, right-click on any file or folder:
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If it is being tracked by OneDrive, you will see explicit OneDrive options in the menu, such as “Share”, “Always keep on this device”, or “Free up space”.
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If you choose Free up space, Windows deletes the local copy to save room but keeps it safely synced in your clou d.
3. Verify via the Taskbar App
If you’re unsure whether OneDrive is running at all, check the System Tray (bottom right corner of your screen, next to the cloc k).
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Click the OneDrive Cloud I con.
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This opens a panel showing a real-time list of recently synced files and any active uploads. If it says “Up to date,” everything in your designated folders is fully synced.
“C:\Users\kahil\Desktop\Weeks-Carpenter-Wright July 2026.rmgc”
I can open it at my desktop and work on it. But I cannot open it from within RM. It does not even appear in “Recents.”
So I looked for the app, and it seems it is missing. There is only a “shortcut.” I’m mystified that I was able to create a new database and work on it but without the app??? I searched for it via File Explorer and find only shortcuts. But not the app itself.
So I am going to have to ask for the serial number so I can reinstall it.
Karen
Someone replied to your post.
July 13 |
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I did nothing, and now all is fine!
I think you still need to move your RM database out of the OneDrive folder. Otherwise, this is likely to happen again. That’s why I was asking that you post the file path for your RM database.
I was able to reinstall it and able to open the file within the RM app. I was also able to open a couple of other RGMC databases, and it looks like all is ok now.
the path is
users\kahil\Desktop\Genealogy filed jan 2026\RMGC\Dunham-Wright-Weeks-Carpenter-July 2026.rmgc
Thanks very much.
Karen A Hill
Someone replied to your post.
July 13 |
- | - |
I did nothing, and now all is fine!
I think you still need to move your RM database out of the OneDrive folder. Otherwise, this is likely to happen again. That’s why I was asking that you post the file path for your RM database.
That’s your Desktop folder. The Desktop folder is one of the folders that OneDrive typically takes over and syncs. So if OneDrive is at all active on your computer, it likely is syncing your RM database.
rmgc files are RootsMagic 7 files or earlier. Which version of RootsMagic are you using to open it? RootsMagic 8 through 11 do not “open” a RootsMagic 7 database. Rather, they import it. I don’t think a RootsMagic 7 database will be in the Recents list for RootsMagic 8 through RootsMagic 11. If you are still on RootsMagic 7, then your database may still be in your Recents list.
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adding to what @thejerrybryan and other have said
adding if you go to File explorer for that location
if you see any Status that should indicate OneDrive syncing
vss
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