OneDrive File Issues

How to Exclude OneDrive Subfolders from Cloud Synchronization

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure OneDrive for Business to keep specific subfolders stored locally on their computer without synchronizing them to the cloud.

Product: OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to restrict certain subfolders from uploading to the cloud while retaining full access to them on the local hard drive.
Observed behavior: OneDrive does not provide a native file-mask feature for this. The existing 'Choose folders' setting removes the unselected folders from the local PC while keeping them in the cloud, which is the exact opposite of the desired outcome.

Before you start

Before modifying your OneDrive sync settings or moving folders, ensure that all critical files are fully synchronized or backed up to prevent accidental data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Understand OneDrive Sync Limitations

Clarifying how the native OneDrive folder settings operate so you can plan your folder structure accordingly.

OneDrive does not currently offer a native feature or file-mask setting to keep subfolders exclusively on your local drive while excluding them from cloud synchronization. By design, any item placed inside the OneDrive directory will automatically attempt to sync.

The 'Choose folders' option operates in reverse to this goal: it dictates which cloud folders download to your PC. Unchecking a folder removes the local copy to save space but retains the master copy securely in the cloud.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Windows system tray, click the gear icon (Help & Settings), and select 'Settings'.

Access the Choose Folders option

Navigate to the 'Account' tab and click on the 'Choose folders' button.

Verify folder behavior

Review the checklist of folders. Remember that unchecking a folder here will remove it from your local computer, not from the cloud.

System Limitation: Because OneDrive lacks a local-only exclusion feature, you cannot configure it to selectively ignore folders residing within the main OneDrive directory.

Solution 2

Move Local-Only Folders Outside the OneDrive Directory

The most effective workaround is to physically relocate the subfolders you do not want synced to a directory outside of OneDrive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make OneDrive ignore certain file types?

Standard OneDrive accounts do not natively support excluding specific file extensions from synchronization locally. Everything placed within the OneDrive folder will attempt to sync. SharePoint administrators can configure some restrictions globally, but this is not available for individual desktop management.

What does the 'Choose folders' setting in OneDrive actually do?

The 'Choose folders' option allows you to select which folders from your cloud storage are downloaded and visible on your PC. Unselected folders are removed from your local drive to save storage space, but they remain perfectly safe and accessible in the cloud.

How can I keep a file on my PC but delete it from OneDrive?

To keep a file locally without retaining a copy in OneDrive, you must move the file out of the OneDrive synchronization folder to another location on your local hard drive (such as a custom folder on your C: drive), and then manually delete it from the cloud if a copy remains there.

Document & File Issues