And windows makes it easy. Trying to figure out that mess if why I stopped trying python

Yes I mean it deleted the local copies. Data isn't lost it's just not where you expected it to be.

I've heard onedrive in w11 is taking over windows library folders (documents, music, videos, downloads etc) and auto syncing (and deleting locals) to the cloud. I just refuse to give w11 my email login to avoid this and other issues.