OneDrive automatically syncs files that you don’t want to, and you may need to turn off OneDrive syncing depending on the situation. To stop OneDrive from syncing on your Windows PC, there are various methods available. OneDrive allows users to temporarily halt its activity, restrict its downloads and backups, and even deactivate or uninstall it if desired. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to prevent OneDrive from syncing through various methods.
What is OneDrive?
Microsoft’s OneDrive is a free internet-based storage platform that integrates with Windows to provide users with five gigabytes of free storage space before offering upgrade options. It enables users to save files, photos, and documents across multiple devices, automatically syncs them, and provides easy access to cloud storage space for content sharing.
Think of OneDrive as a cloud-based hard drive that can be shared, with some additional benefits. That is to say, using OneDrive, users can work together on the same document in multiple locations because of its cloud-based properties.
You can opt for OneDrive limits, which provide 5GB of free storage, or, as a Microsoft 365 subscriber, you get 1TB of data storage. This would be beneficial for enterprises that require substantial data storage space.
Now, Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage platform that can serve as more than just a storage solution. Organizations utilize it for document management system storage, backup, and other purposes. These are just a few of the things that OneDrive can do. This brings us to appreciating the benefits or advantages of having a OneDrive account.
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Benefits of OneDrive.
OneDrive, a cloud storage platform, offers unique features and added benefits for users, including enhanced performance and a user-friendly interface. Once the OneDrive setup is complete, you can enjoy several benefits, including:
#1. Free Storage:
Everyone loves the word “free,” and Microsoft recognizes and leverages the concept ‘free’ to describe something valuable, thereby providing 5 GB of free storage. This is adequate for those seeking extra storage space for specific documents. This free space also facilitates device sync. Microsoft 365, on the other hand, offers a free 1TB subscription, a valuable benefit for any organization.
In addition, you can also recommend the platform to a friend and receive extra space up to 15GB, depending on the number of people you encourage to use the service.
#2. Reliable Uptime:
Since 2015, OneDrive has been available 24/7. Microsoft is a reliable company known for its constant availability of servers with fault tolerance that ensures 99.97% uptime for users. This cloud storage guarantees uninterrupted access to data, ensuring data safety and reliability. This means that the end-user can rest assured that they won’t be worried about the server being down when they try to access their data.
#3. Efficient Document Management:
Collaborating with other users on a document eliminates the need to worry about multiple versions of the same document. OneDrive streamlines document collaboration by managing and updating them with edits and changes made, providing clear indications of the document’s status. This benefit is particularly beneficial for remote work-friendly organizations.
#4. Easy Access to Files:
OneDrive is a cloud-based file storage service that syncs with various devices, including smartphones and desktops, and is compatible with Android and iOS devices. It allows users to keep their files on hand without overwhelming them and can be set to pause syncing when using a metered connection and only sync when connected to Wi-Fi.
In addition, OneDrive offers accessibility through intelligent algorithms that suggest files based on user interaction and integration with other apps for automated file access.
#5. Flexible Sharing with Encrypted Security:
Organizations use OneDrive to share files, collaborate on documents, or provide customer information. Administrators can control access, set privileges, and time limit document access to ensure sensitive information isn’t shared with the wrong people. Cloud storage is encrypted to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
Microsoft is continuously improving data safety, ensuring users can trust the security of their saved data on this platform, whether shared or saved.
Having considered the benefits of OneDrive, it is equally important to note the features it offers. Let’s discuss these features briefly.
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Features of OneDrive.
OneDrive, like most cloud storage platforms, offers numerous features that are useful for both small and large businesses. These features are listed below:
#1. Files:
This feature is present on most cloud storage platforms, allowing users to store and manage their private files. Despite not being particularly impressive, this feature is crucial as it ensures the necessary storage for various tasks.
The shared library is a convenient location for locating shared files, including those received via email. It also serves as a shared storage space for documents shared with other team members. Users can retrieve shared files by searching for their name in the search box.
#3. Recycle Bin:
Microsoft has included a recycle bin for storing deleted files, which are stored for 93 days before being permanently deleted, thereby allowing for restoration if necessary and preventing the bin from overflowing.
#4. Search Box:
The search box is a crucial feature that aids users in quickly finding files. This feature searches for files within your library and other available files by simply typing the file name.
#5. File Restore:
This function, similar to a recycle bin, aims to reverse an action that may have been applied to a document. If your file is damaged, you can restore it to its previous state, which can be done within 30 days.
#6. App Integration:
OneDrive, a popular business tool, is advantageous due to its integration with numerous apps, enhancing its functionality in today’s vast array of applications. The app allows for seamless document transfer between apps or even integration, enabling automated workflows.
#7. Files On-Demand:
This feature allows users to view files without needing to download them. File Explorer allows users to access files that can be read through OneDrive.
#8. Data Encryption:
The sharing and collaboration feature ensures that unauthorized individuals cannot access important data, making it a crucial feature. Only authorized individuals can decode the encrypted information.
#9. Live Collaboration:
OneDrive enables real-time collaboration with team members using any Microsoft tool and various other document tools. This tool facilitates co-authoring by maintaining a single version of the document.
Just like we earlier said, OneDrive offers various features. The key features mentioned may pique your interest as you use it.
How to Use OneDrive
OneDrive is very easy and painless to use. It only requires obtaining an account, and if you already have a Microsoft OneDrive or Outlook email account, you’re good to go. Simply log in and click on the OneDrive icon to access OneDrive.
For non-users or those without an account, simply sign up using the following guide:
- To sign up for free on OneDrive, visit the OneDrive website and select “Sign Up for Free,” then follow the prompts to create an email address and password.
- After completing the process, you will have a Microsoft account, OneDrive, and Outlook profile
- You can now access OneDrive and select the files you wish to upload to your personal cloud storage.
In addition, the OneDrive Personal Vault may be highly beneficial to you. This vault is a secure personal space where files are kept under lock and key, or password. Once you have set up your account, you can decide how to utilize it. Some of the actions you can take include:
- Backup files.
- Add it as a separate drive on your PC.
- Store photos, music, and videos for easy access from any location.
- Share heavy files with others by simply sending the link via email.
- It can serve as a document management tool for business documents.
- You can also use it as a database for document automation.
It is advisable that you start with the free 5GB storage version to familiarize yourself with the features, then expand when you’re confident it’s the right cloud storage option for your needs.
After having a general knowledge of OneDrive, it’s time to dig into the main purpose of this article. But wait a minute; let’s consider some of the possible reasons anyone would want to stop OneDrive from syncing.
Reasons you might want to prevent OneDrive from synchronizing
There are several reasons you might wish to prevent OneDrive from syncing. Some of these unpleasant reasons that might be experienced by One Drive users include:
- OneDrive is a secure storage service, but there are still uncertainties regarding the level of privacy you can expect.
- Microsoft is not obligated to retain an employee’s data after their M365 license is deactivated upon their departure.
- It has limitations on the number of objects that can be synchronized.
- Also, OneDrive has limitations on the types of data it can sync and store.
- OneDrive may automatically sync unwanted files from your PC.
Having seen the reasons why you may want to stop OneDrive from syncing, let’s learn how to stop OneDrive from syncing.
How to Stop OneDrive from Syncing
Basically, there are ten methods to prevent OneDrive from syncing. The following methods can be used to resolve the OneDrive sync issue, regardless of the device or system being used.
#1. Pause the OneDrive app:
The OneDrive app’s “Pause syncing” function allows users to temporarily stop OneDrive synchronization. The feature allows users to pause for a duration of 2 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours. To activate the pause option:
- Select the OneDrive cloud symbol located next to the notification area.
- To pause OneDrive, navigate to “Help & Settings” and select “Pause syncing”.
- The task requires you to choose a specific time frame, such as 2 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours.
- To reveal the OneDrive icon, click the “Show hidden” icon arrow on the taskbar.
#2. Quit the OneDrive app:
This option allows you to stop the OneDrive app from syncing permanently. To select this option,
- To close OneDrive, navigate to the Microsoft OneDrive menu and select “Help & Settings” followed by “Close OneDrive”.
- To confirm, click on “Quit OneDrive” again.
#3. Unlink the computer from the OneDrive account:
OneDrive sync can be disabled by disconnecting the computer from the OneDrive account. To select this option;
- To access the settings, simply click on the “Settings” option in the pop-up menu.
- To disconnect the account from the computer, click on the “Unlink this PC” option in the Account tab of the pop-up window.
#4. Disable network connection:
This method is an indirect way to stop syncing. You can achieve this by disabling the network connection on your PC and smartphone by disabling cellular data and Wi-Fi connections. Switching the phone to “Airplane Mode” will disconnect the network connection, preventing OneDrive from syncing your current files.
#5. Change automatic sync settings:
OneDrive may automatically sync files due to certain settings, so you can disable certain automatic sync settings in your OneDrive. To disable auto-sync, navigate to OneDrive, select Auto Save, and uncheck “Automatically save photographs and videos whenever connected to PC” and “Automatically save screenshots I capture”.
#6. Remove source files in OneDrive Folder:
To prevent OneDrive from syncing everything, choose no source folder, as it will prevent OneDrive from operating with no files. We are aware that all files in the local OneDrive folder will be synced to the online cloud.
To prevent files from being synced to OneDrive, click the OneDrive icon on the system tray, select the local folder, and clear the files in it.
#7. Uninstall OneDrive:
If none of the solutions work and OneDrive continues to sync, you can uninstall the app. Note that uninstalling OneDrive won’t delete files in the cloud or on your computer.
- Access the Control Panel on your Windows PC from the Start menu.
- To remove OneDrive, click on the “Uninstall a program” button.
In addition, to uninstall Microsoft OneDrive, open Windows Settings from the start menu or use the “Win + I” shortcuts. Select “Apps” > “Apps & Features,”, find Microsoft OneDrive, and click the Uninstall button.
#8. Hide OneDrive on Computer:
OneDrive is an integrated feature in various Windows PC versions that cannot be uninstalled. If uninstallation is unsuccessful, OneDrive can be hidden to prevent synchronization.
- Access OneDrive in Windows File Explorer, and navigate to “Properties” from the context menu.
- To hide OneDrive’s properties, navigate to the “General” tab of the OneDrive “Properties” box and select “Hidden”.
- Click on the “OK” button to save and leave.
- Lastly, to prevent OneDrive from synchronizing, close its system tray icon.
#9. Turn off OneDrive’s automatic launch:
If you disable automatic startup, OneDrive will not be able to automatically sync your files.
- Select the “Settings” tab.
- Uncheck the box next to “Start OneDrive automatically” when signing in to Windows.
#10. Stop Office Apps From Syncing to OneDrive:
To prevent Microsoft Office apps from synchronizing files to OneDrive, navigate to OneDrive’s Settings, uncheck the box next to “Use Office applications to sync files,” and click “OK”.
How to Stop OneDrive from Syncing a Folder
OneDrive can be temporarily stopped from syncing specific folders to restrict its access to other devices. In order to avoid syncing files or folders, copy and paste them into a system section that doesn’t sync with OneDrive.
To temporarily stop syncing specific folders, access OneDrive settings, navigate to the Account tab in the left-hand menu, and click on Choose folders. To prevent sync, uncheck the folders you do not wish to sync. The option to stop syncing files that are not in folders is also available. This will prevent the syncing of all files, not just specific options.
Note: Stopping syncing specific folders will delete any content in that folder from your computer but keep it available online.
How to Stop OneDrive from Syncing Desktop:
To prevent OneDrive from syncing your Desktop, right-click the OneDrive icon, select “Settings,” navigate to the “Account” tab, select “Choose folders,” unselect the “Desktop” folder, and click “OK”.
How to Stop OneDrive from Syncing Photos
To disable automatic document and camera uploads to OneDrive, go to PC settings, select OneDrive, On the Camera roll tab, select Don’t upload photos, and turn off the switch to automatically upload photos to OneDrive
Final Words
Before disabling OneDrive synchronization, ensure all essential data is successfully backed up in order to protect your files. OneDrive can be downloaded from the Microsoft website for future use, allowing users to resume their work from where they left off.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you prevent OneDrive from syncing?
Yes. OneDrive syncing can be stopped, which can be done by following the steps listed in this post.
Can you prevent OneDrive from syncing specific files?
Yes. To prevent OneDrive from syncing specific files, navigate to the Account tab and uncheck the folders you don’t want to sync.
Why is my OneDrive constantly syncing?
OneDrive syncing frequently occurs due to program errors or Windows conflicts, and it is crucial to stop this issue regardless of the issue.
How do I disable OneDrive in Windows 10?
You can choose to disable OneDrive in Windows on startup by selecting the option.
- Access the Task Manager by right-clicking on the Taskbar.
- Navigate to the Startup tab in the pop-up window.
- You can then select Microsoft OneDrive and choose Disable.
- When you’re done, restart your computer and OneDrive will not start with Windows.
How do I see what OneDrive is syncing?
The OneDrive icon in the taskbar notification area on your Windows desktop allows you to check the sync status. It displays various sync statuses, with a green check mark indicating that files are “up to date” and fully synced with OneDrive.
How long does OneDrive sync take?
OneDrive synchronizes online files automatically every 10 minutes when connected to the internet, making it useful for accessing files when not connected to the internet.
How do you know if OneDrive is running?
A white or blue OneDrive cloud icon should appear in the notification area, at the right side of the taskbar on a PC, and if it doesn’t, OneDrive might not be running.
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