OneDrive for Windows app to lose Fetch files feature later this month

Microsoft is going to remove the Fetch files feature from the OneDrive app on Windows at the end of this month. First spotted by Borncity (via Neowin), the software giant has quietly updated its support document to indicate that it will be ending support for this feature across all versions of Windows starting on July 31, 2020.

For those unfamiliar, this Fetch files feature allows OneDrive users to access any files and folders on Windows PCs running the OneDrive desktop client by simply going to the OneDrive website. The functionality also supports file fetching from network locations, with the condition that the computer hosting the required data should be online when a request is made by the user.

“After July 31, 2020, you will no longer be able to fetch files from your PC, the company explained. “However, you can sync files and folders to OneDrive and then access those files from your web browser or your phone. To automatically sync the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders on your PC, you can turn on OneDrive PC folder backup,” the support page reads.

Even though Microsoft didn’t provide the reason for retiring support for the Fetch Files feature, it’s probably not being used by a lot of Windows users. The functionality isn’t enabled by default in OneDrive for Windows, and users need to discover it in Settings. The company may also prefer users to sync all their files and folders to OneDrive, something that may require paying for more OneDrive storage.

Did you ever use this Fetch files features with OneDrive for Windows, and are you disappointed to see it go away at the end of the month? Let us know in the comments below.