- You can stop OneDrive from syncing folders without deleting your files.
- You can manage sync settings through OneDrive’s built-in options or by moving folders out of the OneDrive directory.
- Full syncing can be disabled by unlinking OneDrive from your PC.
- You can stop OneDrive from syncing a folder on both Windows 10 and 11 using simple steps from your taskbar or File Explorer.
If OneDrive is syncing folders that you don’t want it to, you can stop it in just a few steps. Whether you’re trying to save space, clean up cloud storage, or keep certain files offline, removing folders from sync is straightforward and doesn’t affect the files stored locally on your PC. You’re still in full control of where your data lives.
Stop Syncing a Folder in OneDrive
Step 1: Search for OneDrive in the search bar on the taskbar and open it.
Step 2: Click the tab called ‘OneDrive’, then open the settings.
Step 3: Go to the ‘Sync and backup’ tab.
Step 4: Click ‘Manage backup.’
Step 5: Turn off the folders you don’t want to sync.
Step 6: Click ‘Stop Backup’ when prompted.
This method is best for common folders that OneDrive backs up automatically. It keeps everything local but removes it from cloud storage going forward.
Stop Syncing a Folder from File Explorer
If you’ve manually added a folder to OneDrive in File Explorer, here’s how to stop OneDrive sync:
Step 1: Open OneDrive.
Step 2: Locate the specific folder you want to stop syncing in OneDrive.
Step 3: Move the folder outside OneDrive. You can do this in two ways:
- Manually drag the folder to the new location, which will copy it. Then go back and delete the original from OneDrive.
- Select the folder and click ‘Cut’. This will copy the folder and delete it from the location at the same time. Then you can click ‘Paste’ in the new location.
This method is ideal for folders you manually placed inside OneDrive. Moving them elsewhere keeps them local and halts syncing instantly.
Unlink OneDrive Entirely
If you want to stop syncing all files and folders in OneDrive follow these steps:
Step 1: Open OneDrive, then open the Settings.
Step 2: Open the ‘Account’ tab.
Step 3: Click ‘Unlink this PC.’
Step 4: Click ‘Unlink account’ when prompted.
This is a full disconnect to stop OneDrive sync. Use this only if you’re done syncing entirely or switching to another cloud service.
Disable OneDrive at Startup
If you don’t want OneDrive launching at all when you start your computer follow these steps:
Step 1: Right click on the taskbar, then open Task Manager.
Step 2: Open the ‘Startup’ tab and find OneDrive.
Step 3: Right-click and choose ‘Disable.’
This prevents OneDrive from starting automatically. It won’t stop it from syncing, but it will prevent it from running in the background if you’re no longer using OneDrive regularly.
