How-To
← All guidesFiles, Folders & Storage

How to Stop OneDrive Backing Up Desktop or Documents

Turn off OneDrive folder backup when you no longer want a known folder synchronized.

Quick Answer

Open OneDrive Settings → Sync and backup → Manage backup, then stop backup for the desired folder and review where the files remain.

Step by Step

  1. Open File Explorer or the relevant Windows storage/cloud settings.
  2. Open OneDrive Settings → Sync and backup → Manage backup, then stop backup for the desired folder and review where the files remain.
  3. Verify the file location and result before deleting an original or emptying Recycle Bin.
  4. Keep a separate backup of important files, especially before reorganizing or freeing substantial storage.

If That Doesn't Work

  • Cloud-synchronized folders can behave differently from ordinary local folders; confirm synchronization status before deleting files.
  • Avoid deleting unfamiliar Windows or application files simply because they are large.