OneDrive backs up your files automatically — here's how to stop it
OneDrive is turned on by default in Windows 10 and later, and it automatically backs up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to Microsoft's servers. If you want to keep those folders on your computer only, or if you prefer a different backup method, you can disable this feature in a few steps. The process differs slightly between Windows and Mac, but both take less than five minutes.
Disabling OneDrive backup does not delete your files — it straightforward stops the automatic syncing to the cloud. Your local copies remain on your computer. If you have already uploaded files to OneDrive, they stay in your Microsoft account until you manually delete them there.
Key Takeaways
- OneDrive backup in Windows runs through Settings > Accounts > Backup, where you can turn off backup for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures individually or all at once.
- On Mac, you disable OneDrive syncing by opening the OneDrive menu, going to Preferences > Account, and unchecking the folders you want to stop syncing.
- Turning off backup does not delete files already in OneDrive — it only stops new uploads from your computer.
- If you want to remove OneDrive entirely, you can uninstall it through Control Panel (Windows) or Applications (Mac), though this is separate from disabling backup.
How to disable OneDrive backup on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app that appears. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Backup. You will see a section called "Back up my files" with toggles for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.
Click the toggle next to each folder you want to stop backing up. The toggle will turn gray when it is off. If you want to disable all three at once, you can turn off the main "Back up my files" toggle at the top. Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Turn off" when prompted.
After you disable backup, OneDrive will stop uploading new changes from those folders. Files already in your OneDrive account remain there; disabling backup does not remove them. If you want to delete those files from OneDrive as well, you will need to go to OneDrive.com, sign in, and delete them manually from your cloud storage.
How to disable OneDrive backup on Mac
Click the OneDrive icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen — it looks like a cloud. If you do not see it, open Finder, go to Applications, and double-click OneDrive to launch it. Once the menu appears, click the three dots (more options) and select Preferences.
In the Preferences window, click the Account tab. You will see a section called "Sync your OneDrive files to this Mac" with a list of folders. Uncheck the boxes next to Desktop, Documents, Pictures, or any other folder you want to stop syncing. Click OK to save your changes.
Like Windows, disabling sync on Mac does not delete files from your OneDrive account — it only stops new uploads from your computer. The files remain in your cloud storage until you delete them through OneDrive.com.
What happens to files already in OneDrive
When you disable backup, OneDrive stops watching your local folders for changes. Files that are already in your OneDrive account stay there. This means if you had 50 files backed up before you turned off the feature, all 50 remain in your cloud storage taking up space in your account.
If you want to remove those files from OneDrive, sign in at OneDrive.com, navigate to each folder, and delete the files you no longer want stored there. You can also delete entire folders at once. Deleting files from OneDrive does not affect the copies on your computer — they remain in your Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folder locally.
The difference between disabling backup and uninstalling OneDrive
Disabling backup keeps OneDrive installed on your computer but stops it from syncing specific folders. You can still use OneDrive to manually upload files, and you can turn backup back on later if you change your mind. Uninstalling OneDrive removes the entire process.
If you want to uninstall OneDrive on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find OneDrive in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications, right-click OneDrive, and select Move to Trash. Uninstalling does not delete files from your OneDrive account — they remain in your cloud storage. You can still access them by signing in at OneDrive.com in a web browser.
Why you might want to disable OneDrive backup
Some people disable OneDrive backup because they prefer a different backup method, such as an external hard drive or a different cloud service. Others want to keep their personal files local only and not synced to the cloud. Some users disable it to reduce internet bandwidth usage, especially on slower connections where constant syncing can slow down their computer.
Privacy is another reason — if you are concerned about files being stored on Microsoft's servers, disabling backup means your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders stay only on your computer. Keep in mind that other Microsoft services, such as Outlook and OneDrive web access, may still store some data in the cloud depending on your settings.
How to turn OneDrive backup back on
If you change your mind, you can re-enable OneDrive backup at any time. On Windows, go back to Settings > Accounts > Backup and toggle the folders back on. On Mac, open OneDrive Preferences > Account and check the boxes next to the folders you want to sync again.
When you turn backup back on, OneDrive will begin syncing those folders again. If you have made changes to files on your computer since you disabled backup, those changes will be uploaded to OneDrive. If you have edited files in OneDrive through the web or another device, those versions may sync back to your computer, depending on which version is newer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling OneDrive backup delete my files?
No. Disabling backup stops OneDrive from syncing your folders, but it does not delete anything on your computer or in your OneDrive account. Your local files stay where they are, and files already in OneDrive remain there until you manually delete them.
Can I disable backup for just one folder instead of all three?
Yes. On Windows, you can toggle Desktop, Documents, and Pictures on or off individually in Settings > Accounts > Backup. On Mac, you can uncheck specific folders in OneDrive Preferences > Account. You do not have to disable all of them at once.
What if I do not see the Backup option in Windows Settings?
The Backup section appears only if you are signed into Windows with a Microsoft account. If you are using a local account, you will not see this option. You can still disable OneDrive syncing by right-clicking the OneDrive icon in the system tray and selecting Settings, then unchecking folders under the Account tab.
Will disabling backup free up space on my computer?
Disabling backup stops new files from being synced, but it does not delete files already on your computer. If you want to free up space, you will need to manually delete files from your Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folders. Disabling backup also does not free up space in your OneDrive account — you must delete files there separately through OneDrive.com.
Can I disable OneDrive backup but keep using OneDrive for other things?
Yes. Disabling backup only stops automatic syncing of Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. You can still manually upload files to OneDrive, access files through OneDrive.com, and use OneDrive on other devices. The rest of OneDrive continues to work normally.