How to Stop OneDrive Backup from Changing Desktop and Documents Paths
Question details
The user needs to prevent OneDrive from moving the Desktop and Documents folders to cloud locations in order to maintain original local paths.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Using Git repositories or software programs that rely heavily on original local Windows file paths while OneDrive backup is active.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive Known Folder backup moves the local Desktop and Documents folders into OneDrive directories, which breaks programs and Git repositories that depend on the original local Windows paths.
Ensure you have enough local hard drive space to restore your files, as you will need to manually move existing files from the OneDrive folder back to your local C: drive after stopping the backup.
Stop Known Folder Backup in OneDrive Settings
Use the OneDrive application settings to halt the backup of your Desktop and Documents folders, reverting their paths back to local directories.
When you turn off the backup for these folders, OneDrive immediately stops syncing them to the cloud. The system paths for Desktop and Documents will revert to your local user profile.
However, the files that were already uploaded to OneDrive will remain in the OneDrive folder. You must manually move them back to your local computer to restore your previous workspace state.
Click on the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Windows taskbar notification area (system tray). Click the gear icon (Help & Settings) and select 'Settings' from the context menu.
In the OneDrive Settings window, go to the 'Sync and back up' tab on the left sidebar, then click the 'Manage back up' button.
A window displaying your backed-up folders will appear. Toggle off the switches for the 'Desktop' and 'Documents' folders to stop backing them up to OneDrive.
Click 'Save changes' or 'Stop backup' in the confirmation prompt to finalize your settings.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your OneDrive folder. Select all your files from the OneDrive Desktop and Documents folders, and move them back to your local C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Desktop and Documents folders.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will stopping OneDrive backup delete my files?
No, stopping the backup will not delete your files. They will remain safely stored inside your OneDrive folder. However, they will no longer appear on your local Desktop until you manually move them back.
Why are my Desktop files missing after turning off OneDrive backup?
When you disable the backup, Windows reverts the Desktop path back to your local drive (C:\Users\[Username]\Desktop). Since OneDrive kept your files in its own cloud directory, your newly restored local Desktop appears empty. You simply need to navigate to the OneDrive folder and move the files back.
How do I fix Git repositories broken by OneDrive's path changes?
First, stop the OneDrive backup for the folder containing your repositories. Next, move your project folders from the OneDrive directory back to their original local paths. This restores the local path dependencies that Git requires to function properly.
Can I choose which specific folders OneDrive backs up?
Yes. By accessing the 'Manage back up' menu in OneDrive settings, you can individually toggle the backup status for your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders according to your preferences.
