Data Backup Problems

How to Back Up Custom Folders with OneDrive Without Moving Them

Natalie Taylor Oct 14, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to back up custom folders stored on a different partition using OneDrive without having to relocate them into standard synchronized system folders like Documents.

How to Back Up Custom Folders with OneDrive Without Moving Them

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Trying to protect and back up specific non-standard folders located on secondary partitions or volumes.
Observed behavior: OneDrive natively restricts its automatic folder backup to standard system folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures) or requires files to be manually placed inside its main synchronized directory.

Before you start

Verify that your OneDrive account has sufficient available storage space for the custom folders you intend to back up, and ensure you have administrative privileges to change folder locations on your device.

Solution 1Recommended

Relocate the Main OneDrive Folder to Your Desired Partition

By moving the root OneDrive folder to the partition where your custom folders are stored, you can synchronize them effectively while keeping standard system folder backup disabled.

OneDrive does not directly support selecting arbitrary folders located outside its main synchronized directory. To back up custom folders on another partition without moving them into your Documents folder, the most reliable method is to change the default location of the OneDrive folder itself.

Unlink your PC from OneDrive

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, select the 'Help & Settings' gear icon, and click 'Settings'. Go to the 'Account' tab and click the 'Unlink this PC' link. Follow the prompts to unlink your account (your local files will remain safe).

Move the existing OneDrive folder

Open File Explorer and navigate to your current OneDrive folder (usually located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\OneDrive). Select the folder, cut it, and paste it into the new partition or volume where your custom folders are located.

Sign in and set the new location

Open the OneDrive application and sign in with your Microsoft account. When you reach the screen that displays 'Your OneDrive folder', click 'Change location' and select the folder you just moved to the new partition.

Disable standard folder backup

Once setup is complete, open OneDrive Settings again. Navigate to 'Sync and backup' and click 'Manage backup'. Ensure the toggles for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures are turned off so these system folders are not forcibly moved into OneDrive.

Relocate the Main OneDrive Folder to Your Desired Partition

Moving Custom Folders: After relocating the root OneDrive folder to your new partition, you can simply move your custom folders directly into this new OneDrive directory to keep them synced without using system folders.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use symbolic links to back up custom folders outside of OneDrive?

Yes, advanced users can use the 'mklink' command in the Windows Command Prompt to create a directory junction. This links a custom folder on another partition directly into the OneDrive folder, tricking OneDrive into syncing it without physically moving the files. However, this method is not officially supported by Microsoft and may occasionally cause sync errors.

Why won't OneDrive let me select any arbitrary folder to sync?

OneDrive is designed around a single root folder structure to simplify synchronization across multiple devices. It restricts arbitrary folder selection to prevent file path conflicts, permissions issues, and complex syncing loops across different operating systems.

How do I stop OneDrive from syncing my Documents and Desktop folders entirely?

To stop OneDrive from syncing standard system folders, click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar, select Settings, go to the 'Sync and backup' tab, and click 'Manage backup'. From there, you can toggle off the backup for your Documents, Desktop, and Pictures folders to keep them strictly local.

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