OneDrive File Issues

How to Move OneDrive Files Back to Local PC and Keep Them Offline

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 13, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to stop OneDrive from syncing local folders to the cloud and restore their files to the local hard drive for offline access.

How to Move OneDrive Files Back to Local PC and Keep Them Offline

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: The user intends to restore their Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the local PC instead of storing them in the OneDrive cloud.
Observed behavior: Files from Desktop, Documents, and Pictures have been moved into the OneDrive folder due to automatic folder backup.

Before you start

Ensure you have enough local hard drive space to accommodate all the files you intend to move back from your OneDrive cloud storage.

Solution 1Recommended

Stop OneDrive Folder Backup and Restore Local Folders

Use this method to stop OneDrive from syncing your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders and safely restore them to your local PC.

By default, Windows may automatically back up your primary user folders to OneDrive. To return these files to your local drive, you must first stop the backup process in the OneDrive settings.

Open OneDrive Settings

Select the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows taskbar notification area, click on the gear icon, and select 'Settings'.

Manage Folder Backup

Navigate to the 'Sync and backup' or 'Backup' tab, then click on the 'Manage backup' button.

Stop Backup for Affected Folders

Toggle off or select 'Stop backup' for the folders you want to restore to your local PC, such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

Verify Local Folder Location

Restart your computer. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\<your username> to verify that the folders are now located locally on your hard drive.

Account Disconnection: If you do not want any folders to sync to OneDrive in the future, you can completely disconnect your OneDrive account from the Account tab in settings.

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Manage Your Local Documents Easily with WPS Office

Once you have moved your documents back to your local PC, you need a reliable office suite to view and edit them. WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that offers full compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without forcing cloud storage.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for Windows.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. Edit Local Files: Open WPS Office and start editing the documents, spreadsheets, and presentations you just moved back to your local PC.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX)Save and manage files directly on your local hard drive safelyLightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use interface

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will stopping the OneDrive backup delete my local files?

No, stopping the backup will not delete your files. It simply stops syncing them to the cloud. Your existing files will remain in your OneDrive folder until you manually move them back to your local C:\Users\<username> folders.

How do I make my existing OneDrive files available offline?

To keep OneDrive files offline without moving them out of the sync folder, right-click the file or folder in File Explorer and select 'Always keep on this device'.

Can I selectively sync only certain folders to OneDrive?

Yes, you can leave your OneDrive account connected and use the 'Choose folders' option in the OneDrive Account settings to specify exactly which folders you want to sync to your PC.

Document & File Issues