How to Stop OneDrive from Syncing in Windows 11/10

If you find that OneDrive is constantly syncing useless files, or it is simply that you do not like the OneDrive service on your computer, there are a few things you can try to stop OneDrive from syncing on your Windows 11 or 10 computer.

OneDrive cloud storage of Microsoft is strictly packed into Windows 11/10. It is a built-in choice of subscribers of Microsoft 365. If you are not invested in the Microsoft Ecosystem and are looking for how to stop OneDrive from Syncing in Windows 11/10, this article offered by EaseUS is the right place. Here, we will discuss the ten easy methods to stop OneDrive syncing or stop OneDrive from syncing everything. These methods are applicable in both Windows 11 and Windows 10. 

What Is OneDrive?

A file hosting service run by Microsoft is called OneDrive. Files can be synced and shared by logged-in users. The web-based version of Microsoft also uses OneDrive as its backend storage. OneDrive syncs the folders relatively quickly, so what you see in File Explorer is what is stored on the cloud and vice versa. 

OneDrive offers up to 5GB of free cloud storage, and generally, people use it to store work-related data. Some OneDrive users store all their web-based files and folders on their desktops due to a shortage of cloud storage. Sometimes, they may need to disable OneDrive from syncing on their Windows computer. 

You must be looking for why you would want to stop OneDrive from Syncing. Now, it's time to address your doubts.

Why Would You Want to Stop OneDrive from Syncing?

There are some reasons you would like to stop OneDrive from syncing. Those reasons that might be unpleasant for OneDrive users are listed below:

• Although OneDrive is undoubtedly secure, there are still uncertainties around the level of privacy you may expect. 
• If an employee departs and his or her M365 license is deactivated, Microsoft is not obliged to keep the employee's data any longer.
• Unfortunately, OneDrive has some restrictions on the types of data that it may sync and store.
• The number of objects that can be synchronized with OneDrive, based on Microsoft's SharePoint software, is restricted.
• OneDrive may automatically sync files from your PC that you don't want.

Reasons can be different to stop OneDrive sync on Windows 11/10. The following section will help you to do that in 10 different ways. Notice that you have successfully backed up all the essential data before disabling the synchronization of your OneDrive. EaseUS Todo Backup will help you back up your OneDrive data and protect it from getting corrupted.

For data protection, you may need to know:

10 Ways to Stop OneDrive from Syncing

Are you searching for How to stop OneDrive from syncing on your Windows 11/10? There are multiple ways to make it happen. We have come up with the best ten ways to turn off OneDrive sync in Windows 11/10.

1. Pause OneDrive

In Windows 11 and 10, you can temporarily pause OneDrive whenever you choose, even if it is actively syncing data. It offers three-time intervals of 2 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours to pause sync or stop OneDrive from auto syincing.

Step 1. Pick the OneDrive cloud symbol next to the notification area.

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

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

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

2. Quit the OneDrive application

Additionally, closing OneDrive will stop it from synchronizing indefinitely.

Step 1. Select "Help & Settings" > "Close OneDrive" from the Microsoft OneDrive menu to perform this.

Step 2. Select "Quit OneDrive" once more to confirm.

3. Unlink PC from the OneDrive

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

Step 1. As above, click "Settings" in the pop-up menu.

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

4. Turn off the network connection

An indirect method of stopping syncing is to turn off the network connection. You can turn off the network supply for your PC, and for your smartphone, you can turn off the cellular data and Wi-Fi connections. Switching the phone to "Airplane Mode" will disconnect the network connection. Hence, the OneDrive will be unable to sync your current files. 

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5. Alter the settings for automatic syncing

Your files may sync automatically if you have certain settings in OneDrive. As a result, you can turn off several OneDrive automatic sync settings. To stop auto-sync, open OneDrive and go to Auto Save, then typically uncheck "Automatically save photographs and videos to OneDrive whenever I connect a camera, phone, or other devices to my PC" and "Automatically save screenshots I capture to OneDrive".

6. Delete the source files from the OneDrive folder

Selecting no source folder prevents OneDrive from accessing files, effectively ending the sync process. OneDrive will sync the local folder's data with the cloud. To do so, follow the given steps: 

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

Step 2. Select "Open folder" to the OneDrive local folder, and then clear the data.

7. Uninstall OneDrive on Computer

If none of the above solutions works for you and OneDrive doesn't stop syncing, you can uninstall the OneDrive. If you uninstall OneDrive, it will not delete the existing files.

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

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

You can also open Windows Settings from the start menu or press "Win + I" shortcuts. Select "Apps" > "Apps & features", find Microsoft OneDrive, and click the Uninstall button. 

8. Hide OneDrive on Computer

In different versions of Windows PC, OneDrive comes in-built, and you cannot uninstall it. If OneDrive cannot uninstall, you can hide it to prevent it from synchronizing.

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

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

Step 3. To save and leave, click "OK".

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

9. Turn off OneDrive's automatic launch

OneDrive can't sync your files automatically if you disable automatic startup.

Step 1. Select the "Settings" tab.

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

10. Stop Office Apps From Syncing to OneDrive

You can stop Microsoft Office apps from synchronizing files to OneDrive by opening OneDrive's Settings. Now open the Office tab and uncheck the box next to Use Office applications to sync files that I open and select "OK".

Conclusion

OneDrive is helpful to some people because it can support them in protecting and storing their files. OneDrive is suitable for professional use under a Microsoft 365 subscription. It makes the workflow smooth by enabling colleagues to store and share files through the cloud.

Some users, however, think that OneDrive is not required on their computers because they can use other, more dependable services or choose a different data security method. Consequently, confident voices are critical of it. We have told you how to stop OneDrive from syncing and how to help Windows 11 stop syncing to OneDrive. 

Make sure that you have successfully backed up all the essential data before disabling the synchronization of your OneDrive. You can use a free data backup tool, EaseUS Todo Backup, to avoid losing your files.

This tool helps you back up your OneDrive data and protect it from getting corrupted. It can help you create a scheduled backup and perform full, incremental, and differential backups.

Your data and your future are protected with EaseUS Todo Backup, a free backup program! It has a straightforward user interface but robust functionality for backing up the disc, partitions, OS, and data, and it can save backups to local discs, NAS, networks, and the cloud. It is worth noting that EaseUS Todo Backup offers you 250G cloud storage for free to back up your files to Cloud.

Later, if you want to use OneDrive, you can always download OneDrive from the Microsoft website and continue your work right where you left off.

If you are not clear about how to back up your OneDrive data before stopping Onedrive from syncing, here is a step-by-step guide for you to operate this tool.

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

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

Step 3. Lists of both local and network files are shown on the left-hand side of the screen. Expanding the directory so that you can choose the files to back up.

Step 4. Follow the guidance on the screen and choose the place where you want to store the back up.

Make sure that the backup is encrypted and set the backup schedule by clicking Options in Backup Options. You can also choose to start the backup at a certain time in Backup Scheme by clicking Options. There are many other customizable options that you can look into.

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

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

If you want to back up your data on a third-party cloud drive, select Local Drive and scroll down to add Cloud Device. Then fill in your account information.

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

Step 7. Click on Backup Now to start a backup.  When the backup process is done, it will display as a card on the left-hand side of the screen. A right-click will let you see more about how to handle the backup job in more depth.

FAQ about OneDrive

Other problems of disabling the synchronization of your OneDrive you may need to address:

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

Firstly, open File Explorer. Then select your OneDrive folder on the device and open the folder where you want the files to remain after sync. Next, Select all the files. Finally, right-click and press "Always keep on this device".

2. How do I disable OneDrive?

If you want to disable OneDrive, you can choose to disable it on startup.

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

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

Step 3. Then select Microsoft OneDrive and choose Disable.

Step 4. After that, restart your computer and the OneDrive will no longer start with Windows.

3. Do I really need OneDrive on my computer?

You may already have the answers. OneDrive only allows you to sync some files, photos, Windows settings, or the files but you can't use it to back up the operating system. And the free storage space is limited. In other words, OneDrive is not necessary on your computer.