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Unable to unlink or stop OneDrive synching

AVTR 0 Reputation points
2025-12-04T14:47:49.58+00:00

OneDrive Backup Problem - Need Help Disabling Without Losing Files

I'm having really abad issues with OneDrive on my new desktop. During setup, Windows 11 automatically enabled OneDrive backup for all my files without giving me a real choice to opt out. Now I'm stuck:

  • OneDrive automatically backs up everything, including files I don't want in the cloud
  • The backup option is greyed out—I can't deselect it
  • My OneDrive storage is now full
  • When I try to delete files from OneDrive, they also delete from my computer
  • I can't find a way to "unpair" or unlink OneDrive using the standard instructions

How do I completely remove OneDrive and delete all cloud backups WITHOUT deleting the files from my local computer?

None of this works:

  • Microsoft's official online documentation (already tried, doesn't match my situation)

Standard unpairing instructions (options don't exist or don't match what I see)

I'm FURIOUS that Windows 11 forces OneDrive integration and latches it onto the system in this way, and makes it nearly impossible to disable. This should be straightforward, not a maze of greyed-out options and loops you have to jump through. I've spent hours of worktime on this issue already with no resolution in sight.

I honestly hope there's a class action l_wsuit against MS for this cr_p. It's a complete violation of privacy issues. No one should design a feature in this way making it so difficult to deal with.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows
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  1. Craig Long 16,510 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-12-04T20:15:51.62+00:00

    The settings are accessed at the white cloud icon on the Windows taskbar. To get OneDrive running, search for the OneDrive app in the Windows Start menu and click on it:thumb_15755611680_ne_rive_folder - Copy

    See this: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sync-files-with-onedrive-in-windows-615391c4-2bd3-4aae-a42a-858262e42a49

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  2. Craig Long 16,510 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-12-04T20:21:22.43+00:00

    To remove files from OneDrive, you can simply remove them from your OneDrive folder. Move them to new manila (yellow) folders at C:\Users\username\NewFolders. A yellow documents folder placed at C:\Users\username\MyDocuments will never sync to OneDrive. Only the standard folders, those that are not yellow, may automatically sync to OneDrive.

    If you place files in yellow folders outside the OneDrive folder, you can keep the standard folders, such as your Desktop folder, fully synced to OneDrive. Just limit the amount of data you put on the desktop.

    But if you'd rather unlink OneDrive completely, you can also do that.

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