How to Stop OneDrive from Syncing in Windows 11/10

Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage is deeply integrated into Windows 11/10, serving as a default option for Microsoft 365 subscribers. If you're not part of the Microsoft ecosystem and are seeking to learn how to stop OneDrive from syncing on Windows 11/10, then this article provided by Tools is the perfect resource. Here, we will explore ten simple methods to halt OneDrive synchronization or prevent it from syncing everything. These methods are effective for both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

What Is OneDrive?

A file hosting service operated by Microsoft is known as OneDrive. It enables users who are logged in to synchronize and share files. OneDrive also serves as the backend storage for the web-based version of Microsoft. The folders on OneDrive sync rather promptly, ensuring that what you see in File Explorer is consistent with what is stored in the cloud, and vice versa.

OneDrive provides up to 5GB of free cloud storage, and typically, individuals utilize it to store work-related data. Occasionally, due to limited cloud storage, some OneDrive users keep all their web-based files and folders on their desktops. In such cases, they might need to disable OneDrive's syncing functionality on their Windows computer.

You must be wondering why you would want to halt OneDrive synchronization. Let's delve into addressing your concerns.

Why Would You Want to Stop OneDrive from Syncing? There could be several reasons why you might want to pause or stop OneDrive from syncing. Here are a few possible scenarios: 1. **Limited Bandwidth**: If you have a limited internet connection or a slow network, OneDrive sync can consume a significant amount of your bandwidth. Pausing sync can help preserve your internet speed for other essential tasks. 2. **Disk Space**: OneDrive sync can take up a lot of space on your device's hard drive. If you're running low on storage, temporarily stopping the sync can free up space. 3. **Conflicting Files**: In some cases, you might encounter file conflicts or errors during the sync process, which can lead to data loss or corruption. Stopping the sync allows you to resolve these issues before they cause problems. 4. **Privacy Concerns**: If you're using a shared computer or in a public place, you may want to prevent OneDrive from syncing your files for privacy reasons. 5. **Temporary Inactivity**: If you're away from your computer for an extended period, pausing OneDrive sync can save energy and reduce wear on your device. 6. **Upgrading Hardware/Software**: During hardware upgrades or software updates, it's often recommended to stop background processes like OneDrive to avoid potential conflicts. 7. **Selective Sync**: You might want to sync only specific folders instead of your entire OneDrive. Disabling the sync for certain folders can help manage your resources efficiently. Remember that pausing or stopping OneDrive sync doesn't mean your files are deleted; they remain safe in the cloud. You can always resume the sync when needed.

There are several reasons why you might want to stop OneDrive from syncing. Some of these reasons, which might be inconvenient for OneDrive users, include:

1. While OneDrive is certainly secure, there may be uncertainties surrounding the extent of privacy you can expect. 2. If an employee leaves and their M365 license is deactivated, Microsoft is not required to retain the employee's data indefinitely. 3. Unfortunately, OneDrive imposes certain limitations on the types of data it can synchronize and store. 4. The number of items that can be synced with OneDrive, which relies on Microsoft's SharePoint technology, is limited. 5. OneDrive might automatically synchronize files from your PC that you do not intend to include.

There can be various reasons to stop OneDrive sync on Windows 11/10. The following section will guide you through 10 different methods to achieve this. Before disabling OneDrive synchronization, ensure that you have successfully backed up all crucial data. The Todo Backup tools can assist you in backing up your OneDrive data and safeguard it from corruption.

For data protection, you might need to be aware of:

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10 Ways to Prevent OneDrive from Syncing

Are you looking for how to prevent OneDrive from syncing on your Windows 11/10? There are several methods to achieve this. We've compiled the top ten ways to disable OneDrive sync on Windows 11/10.

1. Pause OneDrive

In Windows 11 and 10, you can temporarily pause OneDrive at any time, even while it's actively synchronizing data. It provides three time intervals for pausing the sync or stopping OneDrive from automatically syncing: 2 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours.

Step 1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon located next to the notification area.

Step 2. Select "Help & Settings" < "Pause syncing" to pause OneDrive.

Step 3. Decide on a time frame: "2 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours."

Step 4. Click the "Show hidden icons" arrow on the taskbar to reveal the OneDrive icon if you don't see it.

2. Exit the OneDrive application

Furthermore, closing OneDrive will prevent it from synchronizing indefinitely.

Step 1. Choose "Help & Settings" > "Close OneDrive" from the Microsoft OneDrive menu to proceed.

Step 2. Select "Quit OneDrive" again to confirm.

3. unlink PC from OneDrive

You can also disable OneDrive sync by unlinking your computer from your OneDrive account.

Step 1. As before, click "Settings" from the pop-up menu.

Step 2. Click "Unlink this PC" on the pop-up window's Account tab to detach the account from the computer.

4. Turn off the network connection

An indirect method to halt syncing is by disabling the network connection. For your PC, you can turn off the network connection, and on your smartphone, you can disable cellular data and Wi-Fi. Activating "Airplane Mode" on your phone will also disconnect the network, thereby preventing OneDrive from syncing your current files.

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5. Alter the settings for automatic syncing

Certain settings might cause your files to sync automatically with OneDrive. To prevent this, you can turn off a few OneDrive auto-sync settings. To stop the automatic sync, open OneDrive, then go to the "Autosave" settings. Typically, you'll need to uncheck the options that say "Automatically save photos and videos to OneDrive when I connect my camera, phone, or other device to my PC" and "Automatically save screenshots to OneDrive."

6. Delete the source files from the OneDrive folder

Choosing no source folder prevents OneDrive from accessing any files, effectively stopping the synchronization process. However, to sync the data in your local folder with the cloud, please follow these steps:

Step 1. Click the "OneDrive" icon in the system tray.

Step 2. Select "Open folder" to access the local OneDrive folder, and then clear its contents.

7. Uninstall OneDrive on Computer

If none of the above solutions work for you and OneDrive continues to sync, you can choose to uninstall OneDrive. Uninstalling OneDrive will not delete your existing files.

Step 1. Launch the Control Panel from the Start menu on your Windows PC.

Step 2. Next, select "Uninstall a program" to remove OneDrive.

You can also access Windows Settings from the Start menu or by pressing the "Win + I" shortcut. Then, choose "Apps" > "Apps & Features," locate Microsoft OneDrive in the list, and click the Uninstall button.

8. Hide OneDrive on Computer To hide OneDrive on your computer, follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer. 2. In the left pane, right-click on "OneDrive" and select "Properties." 3. In the OneDrive Properties window, check the box next to "Hidden" in the "Attributes" section. 4. Click "Apply" and then "OK." 5. To confirm the change, you'll need to modify the folder view settings. At the top of the File Explorer window, click on "View" and then check the box for "Hidden items." 6. You should now see a hidden OneDrive folder. To hide it again, simply uncheck "Hidden items" in the View tab. Keep in mind that hiding OneDrive may prevent the OneDrive sync client from running automatically. If you need to access OneDrive files, you can still do so by enabling "Hidden items" in File Explorer or by typing `%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive` into the File Explorer address bar.

In various editions of Windows PC, OneDrive is pre-installed, and it cannot be uninstalled. If you are unable to uninstall OneDrive, you can opt to hide it to prevent it from syncing.

Step 1. Click on OneDrive in the "Windows File Explorer" and select "Properties" from the context menu.

Step 2. Check the "Hidden" option in the "General" tab of the OneDrive "Properties" window that appears.

Step 3. Click "OK" to save the changes and exit.

Step 4. Finally, to stop OneDrive from syncing, close it from its system tray icon.

9.  Disable OneDrive's automatic launch

OneDrive won't be able to sync your files automatically if you disable the automatic startup feature.

Step 1. Select the "Settings" tab.

Step 2. Clear the check box next to "Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows."

10. Prevent Office Apps from Syncing to OneDrive

To prevent Microsoft Office apps from synchronizing files to OneDrive, follow these steps: 1. Open OneDrive's settings. 2. Navigate to the Office tab. 3. Deselect the checkbox next to "Use Office applications to sync files that I open." 4. Click "OK" to apply the changes. This will stop Office apps from automatically syncing files to OneDrive.

Conclusion

OneDrive is beneficial to many individuals as it facilitates file protection and storage. It is well-suited for professional use within the context of a Microsoft 365 subscription, enhancing workflow efficiency by allowing colleagues to store and share files seamlessly through the cloud.

However, some users believe that OneDrive is unnecessary on their computers, as they can utilize more reliable services or opt for alternative data security methods. As a result, there are critics voicing their concerns. We have previously shown you how to stop OneDrive from syncing and how to assist Windows 11 in stopping the sync with OneDrive.

Ensure that you have successfully backed up all crucial data before disabling OneDrive synchronization. You can utilize a free data backup tool, such as Todo Backup, to prevent file loss.

This tool assists in backing up your OneDrive data and safeguarding it from corruption. It enables you to create a scheduled backup and execute full, incremental, and differential backups.

Protect your data and secure your future with Todo Backup, a reliable free backup software! It boasts a user-friendly interface alongside powerful features for backing up disks, partitions, operating systems, and data. It enables you to save backups to local drives, NAS, networks, and even the cloud. Notably, Todo Backup provides you with 250GB of free cloud storage to securely store your files in the Cloud.

Later, if you want to use OneDrive, you can always download it from the Microsoft website and pick up where you left off.

If you're unsure about how to back up your OneDrive data before stopping the sync, here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Step 1. To start the backup process, click the Select backup contents button.

Step 2. Four data backup categories are displayed: File, Disk, OS, and Mail.

Step 3. Lists of both local and network files are displayed on the left-hand side of the screen. Expand the directory to select the files you want to back up.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the location where you want to save the backup.

Ensure that the backup is encrypted by selecting the Options within Backup Options. You can also set the backup schedule by clicking on Options under Backup Scheme, where you can opt to initiate the backup at a specific time. There are numerous other customizable options available for you to explore.

Step 5. You can save the backup file on your computer, in the tool's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage device (NAS).

Step 6. Todo Backup allows customers to store backup copies of their files on a third-party cloud drive or on the company's own cloud storage.

If you wish to back up your data on a third-party cloud drive, choose Local Drive and scroll down to add Cloud Device. Next, input your account details.

Click Cloud Backup, then sign up and log in with your Tools account if you want to store backup files on Tools' own cloud storage service.

Step 7. Click on Backup Now to initiate a backup. Once the backup process is complete, it will be displayed as a card on the left side of the screen. Right-clicking on it will provide you with more options to delve into the details of managing the backup job.

Frequently Asked Questions about OneDrive

Other issues that may require resolving to disable OneDrive synchronization:

1. How to stop OneDrive from syncing folders without deleting files?

Firstly, launch File Explorer. Then navigate to your OneDrive folder on the device and open the specific folder where you wish the files to persist after synchronization. Next, select all the files you wish to keep. Lastly, right-click on the selected files and choose "Always keep on this device."

2. How do I turn off OneDrive?

If you wish to disable OneDrive, you can opt to prevent it from launching during startup.

Step 1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, navigate to the Startup tab.

Step 3. Next, select Microsoft OneDrive and choose Disable.

Step 4. Restart your computer, and OneDrive will no longer launch with Windows.

3. Do I really need OneDrive on my computer? I understand that you might be questioning the necessity of having OneDrive installed on your computer. Here's some information to help you decide: OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, which allows you to store, share, and sync files across devices. If you use Microsoft Office, having OneDrive integrated can be beneficial, as it enables automatic saving and collaboration on documents in real-time. It also serves as a backup for your important files. However, if you don't require cloud storage or prefer using alternative services like Google Drive or Dropbox, you might not need OneDrive installed. You can always access your OneDrive files through a web browser if needed, without the desktop app. In summary, whether you need OneDrive depends on your specific needs for cloud storage and integration with Microsoft's ecosystem. If it's not essential, you can safely uninstall it to free up disk space.

You might already have the answers. OneDrive primarily enables you to sync certain files, photos, Windows settings, or individual files, but it doesn't support backing up the entire operating system. Moreover, the free storage space is limited. Consequently, OneDrive might not be an essential presence on your computer.