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How to Stop OneDrive from Backing Up Desktop and C Drive Files
Question details
The user wants to prevent OneDrive from automatically syncing and backing up local folders like the Desktop and other C drive files, preferring to work offline and manually select files for synchronization.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing local file storage and cloud backup settings to prevent unwanted cloud syncing and potential file deletion by the automated system.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive automatically moved Desktop and local files into the cloud backup, leading to missing or deleted documents on the local drive.
Before changing your synchronization settings, manually copy any critical files from your OneDrive folder to a separate, non-synced local folder on your PC to prevent accidental data loss during the transition.
Disable Automatic Folder Backup in OneDrive Settings
Modify OneDrive settings to stop the automatic synchronization of your local Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders.
By default, Windows may set OneDrive to automatically back up important PC folders. Turning this feature off will keep your newly created files strictly on your local hard drive.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows system tray (bottom-right corner of your taskbar), click the gear icon for 'Help & Settings', and select 'Settings'.
In the OneDrive settings window, click on the 'Sync and backup' tab on the left sidebar.
Click the 'Manage backup' button at the top of the menu to view the folders currently being synced to the cloud.
Toggle off the switches for Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and any other folders you want to keep locally on your C Drive. Confirm your choice if prompted, then save your changes.
Manually Sync Specific Files to OneDrive
Maintain full control over your cloud storage by working offline and only backing up specific files manually.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will stopping the OneDrive backup delete my local files?
Stopping the backup keeps the files safe in your OneDrive folder, but they will no longer appear in your local Desktop or Documents folders. You will need to manually open the OneDrive folder and move them back to your local C drive.
How do I recover files that OneDrive permanently deleted?
Log in to the OneDrive website, click on the 'Recycle bin' located in the left navigation panel, select the deleted documents, and click 'Restore'. Note that permanently deleted files emptied from this bin may not be recoverable.
Can I choose which specific folders to sync in OneDrive?
Yes. In the OneDrive Settings menu, go to the 'Account' tab, select 'Choose folders', and uncheck any folders you do not want to download or sync to your current device.
