OneDrive File Issues

How to Stop Using OneDrive and Save Microsoft 365 Files Locally

Huda Qurayshi Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to stop syncing files to OneDrive and instead save Microsoft 365 documents exclusively to their local hard drive.

How to Stop Using OneDrive and Save Microsoft 365 Files Locally

Product: Microsoft 365, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: User prefers local storage over cloud storage for their Microsoft 365 files and wishes to halt OneDrive synchronization completely.
Observed behavior: Files default to syncing with OneDrive, requiring the user to manually disable the service or change default save settings to ensure local-only storage.

Before you start

Before disabling OneDrive, ensure you have fully synced or downloaded any cloud-only files to your local drive so you do not lose access to them after unlinking.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink Your Account and Disable OneDrive

This is the most effective way to stop all cloud synchronization while keeping your downloaded files intact on your local drive.

Unlinking your PC from OneDrive stops the background synchronization process. Your locally downloaded files will remain on your hard drive, but future changes will not sync to the cloud.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar or menu bar, select 'Help & Settings' (the gear icon), and choose 'Settings'.

Unlink This PC

Navigate to the 'Account' tab in the settings window and click the 'Unlink this PC' link.

Confirm Unlinking

Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm unlinking your account. Once done, you can close OneDrive or uninstall it via your computer's app settings.

Unlink Your Account and Disable OneDrive

Handling Outlook Issues: If you are experiencing issues with Outlook emails, those must be handled separately as unlinking OneDrive does not configure local PST/OST file settings for Outlook.

Solution 2

Set Microsoft 365 Apps to Save to Your Computer by Default

Configure Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to automatically save new documents to your local drive instead of suggesting OneDrive.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit and Save Locally with WPS Office

If you prefer to keep your files strictly on your local device without being forced into cloud synchronization, WPS Office is an excellent choice. It is a free, lightweight suite that fully supports Microsoft Office formats while giving you complete control over where you save your files.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
2. Create or Open a File: Launch the application and create a new Document, Spreadsheet, or Presentation, or open an existing Microsoft 365 file.
3. Save Locally: Click 'Menu' > 'Save As' and select a local folder on your computer to save your file securely without any cloud syncing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Defaults to local saving, giving you total control over your data privacy and storage locations.Lightweight design that runs smoothly without heavy background cloud sync processes.Familiar user interface that requires zero learning curve to migrate from Microsoft 365.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if I uninstall OneDrive?

No, you will not lose files that are already fully downloaded to your local drive. However, files that are marked as 'online-only' (cloud icon) will become inaccessible unless you right-click them and select 'Always keep on this device' before unlinking or uninstalling OneDrive.

Can I still use Microsoft 365 if OneDrive is disabled?

Yes, Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint work perfectly fine offline and without OneDrive. You just need to ensure you manually save your files to a local folder on your computer.

How do I fix Outlook issues after disabling OneDrive?

Outlook emails and attachments are generally stored in PST or OST files, which function independently of OneDrive. If you face syncing issues in Outlook, you should check your email profile and data file settings directly within the Outlook application's Account Settings.

Document & File Issues