How to Turn Off OneDrive Sync on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 2, 2025

Microsoft OneDrive is a handy cloud storage service that automatically backs up your files and keeps them in sync across devices. While this sounds great, not everyone wants or needs it running all the time. Maybe you prefer Google Drive, Dropbox, or simply keeping files local. Or perhaps OneDrive is slowing down your PC and eating bandwidth.

Whatever the reason, turning off OneDrive sync in Windows 11 is simple. In this guide, I’ll walk you through different ways to stop OneDrive from syncing files on your PC—whether you just want a temporary pause or a complete shutdown.

Why You Might Want to Turn Off OneDrive Sync

Here are a few common reasons users disable OneDrive sync:

  • Save bandwidth – Syncing uses your internet connection.
  • Improve performance – OneDrive can consume CPU and memory in the background.
  • Avoid duplicate storage – If you’re using another cloud service.
  • Keep files local – Some people just prefer offline storage.

Method 1: Pause OneDrive Sync Temporarily

If you just want to stop syncing for a while, pausing is the easiest option.

  1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
  2. Select Pause syncing.
  3. Choose a time period: 2 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours.

This is perfect if you only want to stop syncing while gaming, streaming, or working with large files.

Method 2: Stop OneDrive from Syncing Specific Folders

Don’t want all your files syncing? You can pick and choose folders.

  1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
  2. Go to Settings > Account > Choose folders.
  3. Uncheck the folders you don’t want to sync.
  4. Click OK to save changes.

This keeps OneDrive active but only syncing what you need.

Method 3: Disable OneDrive from Startup

OneDrive starts automatically with Windows. If you don’t want that:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Startup tab.
  3. Find Microsoft OneDrive.
  4. Right-click → Disable.

Now OneDrive won’t launch when you boot up your PC.

Method 4: Unlink OneDrive from Your PC

If you want to keep your account but stop syncing completely:

  1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
  2. Go to Settings > Account.
  3. Click Unlink this PC.
  4. Sign out when prompted.

Your files remain safe in the cloud, but syncing stops entirely.

Method 5: Turn Off OneDrive via Windows Settings

Another option is to block OneDrive in your Windows settings.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
  3. Search for Microsoft OneDrive.
  4. Click the three dots → Advanced options.
  5. Under Background apps permissions, select Never.

This prevents OneDrive from running in the background.

Method 6: Completely Uninstall OneDrive

If you never use OneDrive, uninstalling it is the cleanest solution.

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
  2. Find Microsoft OneDrive in the list.
  3. Click the three dots → Uninstall.
  4. Confirm removal.

Note: You can always reinstall it later from the Microsoft Store if you change your mind.

Method 7: Disable OneDrive Using Group Policy (Pro Users)

If you’re on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use Group Policy.

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive
  3. Double-click Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.
  4. Select Enabled → Apply → OK.

This completely disables OneDrive system-wide.

Method 8: Turn Off OneDrive via Registry Editor

For advanced users, editing the registry also works.

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive
  3. If the OneDrive key doesn’t exist, create it.
  4. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value called DisableFileSyncNGSC.
  5. Set its value to 1.

Restart your PC, and OneDrive will be disabled.

Best Method for You

  • Just want a break? → Pause syncing.
  • Don’t want all files syncing? → Choose specific folders.
  • Want to stop it on startup? → Disable from Task Manager.
  • Don’t need it at all? → Uninstall or disable via Group Policy.

Quick Recap

To turn off OneDrive sync in Windows 11, you can:

  1. Pause syncing temporarily.
  2. Stop syncing specific folders.
  3. Disable from startup.
  4. Unlink your PC.
  5. Block background permissions.
  6. Uninstall completely.
  7. Use Group Policy or Registry for permanent disable.

Conclusion

OneDrive is useful for many, but not everyone needs constant file syncing. Thankfully, Windows 11 gives you multiple ways to control or disable OneDrive. Whether you just want to pause it for a while or completely uninstall it, you now know exactly how to do it—step by step.

Take control of your PC’s performance and storage, and keep only the tools you actually use.

FAQs

1. Will disabling OneDrive delete my files?
No. Your files remain in the OneDrive cloud unless you delete them manually.

2. Can I reinstall OneDrive later?
Yes. You can download it anytime from the Microsoft Store or Microsoft’s official website.

3. Does turning off OneDrive improve performance?
Yes, especially on PCs with limited RAM and CPU resources.

4. Can I use OneDrive only manually, without auto-sync?
Yes, you can unlink the PC and only upload files manually via the web.

5. Is OneDrive required for Windows 11 to work?
No. It’s optional—Windows 11 runs perfectly fine without OneDrive.

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