[10 Ways] How to Turn Off OneDrive Syncing on Windows 11/10

Why Can't I Stop OneDrive from Syncing?

If you’re trying to disable OneDrive syncing and it just keeps going, you’re not alone. Many users face this issue, especially when OneDrive continues syncing folders like Desktop or Documents, even after pausing or quitting the app. It can be frustrating when the changes you make don’t seem to take effect.

Here are some common reasons why you might not be able to disable OneDrive syncing:

🔗 Desktop or Documents folders are still linked to OneDrive

If these folders are set to back up, OneDrive will continue syncing them unless you turn off folder backup.

🖥️ OneDrive auto-starts with Windows

Even if you stop syncing once, OneDrive may restart and resume syncing every time you boot up.

🗂️ Files On-Demand is enabled

Accessing placeholder files can trigger unexpected syncing activity.

⚙️ System policies prevent changes

On managed work or school devices, admin rules may prevent users from disabling syncing.

🗃️ Multiple accounts are connected

Syncing may continue from a second account, even if you disable the first.

How to Turn Off OneDrive Syncing on Windows 11/10 in 10 Ways

When it comes to turning off OneDrive sync on Windows 11 or 10, knowing the right steps can make the process quick and hassle-free. Here are 10 effective ways to do it.

• Way 1. Pause the OneDrive App
• Way 2. Quit the OneDrive App
• Way 3. Unlink OneDrive Account
• Way 4. Disable Network Connection
• Way 5. Change the Automatic Sync Settings
• Way 6. Remove Source Files in OneDrive Folder
• Way 7. Uninstall OneDrive
• Way 8. Hide OneDrive
• Way 9. Stop OneDrive from Automatic Startup
• Way 10. Use the OneDrive Troubleshooter

 Way 1. Pause the OneDrive App

When you need to turn off OneDrive desktop sync temporarily, pausing the OneDrive app offers a quick and convenient solution. Pausing stops all uploads and downloads for a set period, letting you save bandwidth or focus on other tasks without interruptions. This way, you control when syncing resumes without losing access to your files. It’s an easy first step to manage syncing before deciding to fully turn off OneDrive desktop sync.

📝 To start stopping OneDrive sync without uninstalling the app, follow these quick steps:

Step 1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom‑right corner).

Step 2. Select the gear icon and choose Pause syncing.

Step 3. Pick a duration—2 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours—to halt uploads and downloads.

Step 4. Confirm the pause; the cloud icon shows a pause symbol, indicating syncing has stopped.

Step 5. When ready to resume, click the cloud icon again and select Resume syncing.

 Way 2. Quit the OneDrive App

One simple way to start deactivating OneDrive without making permanent changes is to quit the app completely. When you close OneDrive, all file syncing—both uploads and downloads—stops instantly. The app no longer runs in the background, which helps reduce CPU usage and bandwidth consumption.

This method is useful if you don’t need real-time syncing or want to temporarily pause activity without uninstalling the software. Quitting the app won’t delete your files or unlink your account. It simply pauses the service until you decide to launch it again, making it a safe and effective option for regaining control.

📝 Follow these steps to temporarily deactivate OneDrive by quitting the app:

Step 1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray at the bottom-right of your screen (it may be hidden—click the up arrow if you don’t see it).

Step 2. In the OneDrive menu that appears, click the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then select "Settings" from the dropdown.

Step 3. In the Settings window, scroll down and click "Quit OneDrive" at the bottom left.

Step 4. A confirmation pop-up will appear—click "Close OneDrive" to confirm.

Step 5. OneDrive will close completely, stopping all sync activity until you reopen it manually from the Start menu or system tray.

 Way 3. Unlink OneDrive Account

To keep OneDrive from syncing without uninstalling the app, unlinking your Microsoft account is a simple and effective solution. When you unlink your account, OneDrive immediately stops syncing files between your PC and the cloud. This method is helpful if you want to pause syncing for an extended time, troubleshoot sync problems, or switch to a different account.

Rest assured, all your files already stored in OneDrive remain safe in the cloud, and any files saved locally on your computer will stay intact. You can always relink your account later whenever you want to resume syncing.

📝 Here’s a quick guide to unlink your account and disconnect OneDrive from your PC:

Step 1. Locate the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray at the bottom-right corner of your screen. If you don’t see it, click the upward arrow (show hidden icons) to find it.

Step 2. Right-click the OneDrive icon and select Settings from the menu that appears.

Step 3. In the Settings window, click the Account tab at the top.

Step 4. Under the Account tab, find and click the Unlink this PC button.

Step 5. A confirmation pop-up will appear—click Unlink account to confirm your choice.

 Way 4. Disable Network Connection

Need to stop syncing OneDrive right now? Simply disabling your internet connection will pause all syncing activity instantly. By turning off Wi-Fi or unplugging your Ethernet cable, you cut off OneDrive’s access to the internet, stopping uploads and downloads immediately.

This method is perfect for quickly halting syncing without changing any app settings. However, keep in mind that OneDrive will automatically resume syncing once your network connection is restored, so this solution works best as a temporary fix.

📝 Here is the method of stopping OneDrive syncing by disabling the network:

Step 1. Click the Network icon in the system tray at the bottom-right corner.

Step 2. Select Airplane mode to turn off all wireless connections instantly.

Step 3. Or click Wi-Fi and toggle it off to disconnect from wireless networks only.

Step 4. For wired connections, unplug the Ethernet cable from your PC.

Step 5. Once disconnected, OneDrive will stop syncing until your internet reconnects.

 Way 5. Change the Automatic Sync Settings

Controlling how and when your files sync is key if you want to stop synchronizing OneDrive without shutting it down completely. Adjusting the automatic sync settings gives you that flexibility. You can select specific folders to sync or set syncing to occur only at certain times, helping reduce unnecessary background activity that slows down your PC or uses excessive bandwidth.

This way, OneDrive only syncs the files you need, when you want it to, giving you better control over your system’s performance and your data usage.

📝 Follow these easy steps to remove OneDrive sync from specific folders without disabling the entire app:

Step 1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray at the bottom-right corner of your screen. If it’s hidden, click the upward arrow to reveal hidden icons.

Step 2. In the OneDrive pop-up window, click the gear icon in the top-right corner and select Settings from the drop-down menu.

Step 3. In the Settings window, switch to the Account tab.

Step 4. Click the Choose folders button under the section labeled "Choose folders to sync to this PC."

Step 5. In the folder list, uncheck the boxes next to the folders you want to stop syncing, then click OK to save your changes.

 Way 6. Remove Source Files in OneDrive Folder

Another effective way to remove OneDrive sync for unwanted files is to remove the source files directly from your OneDrive folder on your PC. When you delete files or folders inside the OneDrive directory, OneDrive automatically syncs these changes and removes the files from the cloud as well. This method helps you clear up storage space and prevent unnecessary files from continuously syncing across your devices.

Just be cautious—deleting files here removes them everywhere unless you have backups elsewhere. Use this approach if you want to permanently stop syncing certain files and keep your OneDrive storage organized.

📝 Follow these simple steps to stop sync OneDrive folder for specific files:

Step 1. Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar or pressing Windows + E.

Step 2. In the left sidebar, click OneDrive under Quick Access or navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\OneDrive.

Step 3. Browse through your OneDrive folder to find the files or folders you want to stop syncing.

Step 4. Right-click the selected files or folders and choose Delete (or press the Delete key).

Step 5. Confirm the deletion when prompted. OneDrive will then sync the change, removing these files from the cloud and any other connected devices.

 Way 7. Uninstall OneDrive

For those looking to unsync files from OneDrive completely, uninstalling the app provides a straightforward way to halt all syncing on your computer. This method is perfect if you no longer use OneDrive or want to switch to another cloud storage service.

Uninstalling stops all sync activity and frees up system resources, but it won’t delete your files stored in the cloud—you can still access them anytime through the OneDrive website. Choose this option when you want a full break from OneDrive syncing and wish to remove the app from your device entirely.

📝 Follow these steps to learn how to turn OneDrive off by uninstalling it:

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Click Apps from the sidebar.

Step 3. Select Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps & features (Windows 10).

Step 4. Find Microsoft OneDrive, click the three-dot menu next to it, and choose Uninstall.

Step 5. Confirm the uninstall when prompted to remove OneDrive from your PC.

 Way 8. Hide OneDrive

When you want to unsync desktop from OneDrive but keep the app installed, hiding OneDrive is a simple and effective solution. This method removes OneDrive from your File Explorer sidebar and system tray, so it won’t appear in your daily workflow or accidentally sync your desktop files. At the same time, OneDrive continues syncing other folders you choose, letting you keep control over what stays in the cloud.

Hiding OneDrive helps reduce clutter and prevent unwanted syncing without fully disabling the app, making it a practical choice for managing your sync preferences.

📝 Here are the steps to stop syncing to OneDrive by hiding it from your system tray and File Explorer:

Step 1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).

Step 2. Select Settings from the menu.

Step 3. In the Settings window, click the Settings tab.

Step 4. Uncheck the box labeled "Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows."

Step 5. Click OK to save your changes and close the window.

 Way 9. Stop OneDrive from Automatic Startup

Rather than uninstalling the app entirely, you can turn OneDrive off by disabling its automatic startup, giving you more control over when it runs and syncs your files. This method ensures OneDrive won’t launch in the background every time you start your computer, which helps reduce unnecessary syncing and conserves system resources.

It's a smart choice if you prefer to open OneDrive manually only when needed. By doing this, you avoid constant background activity and speed up your PC’s startup time—all without removing access to your cloud storage.

📝 Here is how to unsync OneDrive by turning off its automatic startup:

Step 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If prompted, click More details at the bottom to expand the view.

Step 2. Go to the Startup tab at the top of the window.

Step 3. Scroll through the list and locate Microsoft OneDrive.

Step 4. Right-click Microsoft OneDrive and choose Disable from the context menu.

Step 5. Close Task Manager. The changes will take effect the next time you restart your PC.

 Way 10. Use the OneDrive Troubleshooter

When basic fixes don’t work, running the built-in troubleshooter can help you stop OneDrive syncing issues caused by system glitches or configuration errors. The OneDrive troubleshooter is designed to detect and resolve common sync problems automatically, saving you time and effort. It checks for issues like missing permissions, outdated settings, or network interruptions that may prevent OneDrive from syncing correctly.

This method is especially helpful when OneDrive keeps syncing unexpectedly or doesn’t respond to manual changes. If you're looking for a simple way to restore control and stop OneDrive syncing reliably, the troubleshooter is a smart tool to try.

📝 Here is how to unsync OneDrive using the built-in troubleshooter:

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Click Additional troubleshooters (Windows 11) or scroll down to find OneDrive (Windows 10).

Step 4. Select OneDrive and click Run the troubleshooter.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Bonus Tip: Use CBackup to Flexibly Sync Files and Folders

When managing file syncing becomes a challenge, turning to CBackup can offer you a more versatile and reliable alternative to OneDrive. CBackup allows you to sync files and folders across multiple cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox—all from a single platform. It helps you avoid storage limits and syncing conflicts by combining cloud accounts into one virtual drive.

You can schedule automatic syncs, select specific folders to sync, and even transfer files directly between clouds without downloading them first. If you want smoother syncing with more control, CBackup is a smart choice to complement or replace OneDrive.

📝 Follow the guide below to enjoy a more flexible way to sync files to OneDrive:

Step 1. Download and install CBackup on your computer. Sign up for an account and log in.

Step 2. Click on Storage, then select OneDrive, and click Authorize Now to add your OneDrive account to the software.

Step 3. Navigate to the Sync section and choose Sync PC to Public Cloud.

Step 4. Select the folders and files you want to sync, and pick a OneDrive folder as the destination. Then, click Start Sync to begin the upload process to OneDrive.

Step 5. (Optional) To establish an automatic sync to OneDrive using CBackup, you can follow the steps: Click on Settings > enable the Scheduler option > and select the sync mode that best suits your needs. This will allow you to set up scheduled automatic syncs to ensure your files are consistently backed up to OneDrive.

Conclusion

In this post, we explored various effective ways on how to turn off OneDrive syncing, from pausing or quitting the app to unlinking your account and disabling automatic startup. We also covered more advanced options like hiding OneDrive or uninstalling it completely. For those seeking greater control over file syncing, tools like CBackup provide flexible alternatives.

Whether you want to stop syncing temporarily or permanently, these methods help you manage OneDrive according to your needs. Understanding these options ensures you can easily turn off OneDrive syncing whenever necessary.

FAQs on Stopping OneDrive Sync

To help you better understand how to manage and stop OneDrive syncing, here are some frequently asked questions addressing common concerns and solutions.

1. How do I Turn Off OneDrive in Windows 11?

To turn off OneDrive in Windows 11, you can disable its syncing and prevent it from running automatically by following these steps:

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
2. Select Settings from the menu.
3. In the Settings tab, uncheck "Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows."
4. Click OK to save the changes.
5. To stop syncing immediately, right-click the OneDrive icon again and choose Pause syncing or Close OneDrive.

2. How do I Stop OneDrive from Syncing My Documents?

Here’s how to stop OneDrive from syncing your Documents folder in 5 steps:

1. Click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
2. Select Settings.
3. Go to the Backup tab.
4. Click Manage backup.
5. Find Documents, then click Stop backup and confirm.

3. How Can I Disable OneDrive in Windows 11?

To disable OneDrive in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click Apps on the left menu, then select Installed apps.
3. Scroll to find Microsoft OneDrive, click the three dots next to it, and choose Uninstall.
4. Confirm the uninstall to remove OneDrive from your system.

If you prefer to keep OneDrive installed but disable it, you can also prevent it from starting automatically:

• Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, select Settings, then uncheck "Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in." Click OK.

This disables OneDrive without fully uninstalling it.