OneDrive File Issues

How to Keep OneDrive Folders Stored Only on Your PC

Aamir Naveed Akram Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent OneDrive from automatically syncing default PC folders to the cloud so that files remain exclusively on the local hard drive.

How to Keep OneDrive Folders Stored Only on Your PC

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user is trying to configure their PC storage so that personal folders are not backed up or moved to the online OneDrive repository.
Observed behavior: OneDrive's PC Folder Backup automatically moves folders like Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos into the OneDrive directory, making them cloud-dependent rather than strictly local.

Before you start

Before modifying your sync settings, make sure your computer is connected to the internet so OneDrive can properly register the configuration changes without causing file duplication errors.

Solution 1Recommended

Turn Off PC Folder Backup in OneDrive Settings

The most effective way to keep your default folders strictly on your local computer is to disable the folder backup feature in OneDrive's settings.

By default, OneDrive may enable PC Folder Backup for essential directories. Turning this off will restore the folders to their original local paths, preventing them from being uploaded to the cloud automatically.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen), click the gear icon (Help & Settings), and select Settings.

Access Backup Settings

In the Settings window, navigate to the Sync and Backup tab in the left menu, then click on the Manage Backup button.

Disable Folder Sync

Toggle off the backup switches for the affected folders, such as Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Music, or Videos.

Restore to Local Default

When prompted, choose to restore these folders to their default PC locations. If you have files remaining in the OneDrive folder that should never synchronize, manually move them back to your local directories.

Turn Off PC Folder Backup in OneDrive Settings

Files Remain Safe: Stopping the backup does not delete your files. It simply stops the automatic syncing process and allows you to manage your files locally.

Solution 2

Move Files Outside OneDrive and Unlink Your PC

If you want to stop all OneDrive synchronization completely, you can move your files out of the OneDrive directory and unlink your account.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Enjoy Full Control over Your Local Documents with WPS Office

If you prefer keeping your files securely stored on your local PC without forced cloud synchronization, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides robust offline document editing, broad format compatibility, and allows you to choose exactly when and where to back up your work.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your PC.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the lightweight suite.
3. Edit Locally: Open your local documents in WPS Office and save them directly to your hard drive without automatic cloud syncing.

Full control over local and cloud document storageFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Lightweight desktop application with a familiar, easy-to-use interfaceFree to use with built-in PDF viewing and editing capabilities

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Desktop icons disappear after turning off OneDrive backup?

When you stop backing up your Desktop to OneDrive, your existing icons and files remain in the OneDrive Desktop folder instead of moving automatically. You must open File Explorer, navigate to the OneDrive Desktop folder, and manually drag those files back to your local PC Desktop folder.

Can I use the 'Choose folders' setting to stop syncing my Documents?

No. The 'Choose folders' option controls which online folders are downloaded from the cloud to your computer. It cannot be used to manage default PC folders like Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Music, or Videos. You must use the 'Manage Backup' setting instead.

Are my files deleted from the cloud when I stop syncing my PC folders?

No, stopping the folder backup does not delete your files from OneDrive. They are kept safely in the cloud. If you want to free up cloud storage space, you will need to log into onedrive.com and manually delete the files from the web.

Document & File Issues