How to Unsync OneDrive Windows 10 Local Machine

OneDrive powered by Windows 10 is a cloud-storage platform that stores data and syncs  Android, iOS and Windows operating devices. Launched in 2007, OneDrive is a direct competitor to Google and Amazon Drive. While it does a great job in syncing data, sometimes users do not wish to upload everything on OneDrive. There could be several reasons for that. This article shall be a great help if you wish to unsync OneDrive in Windows 10. Follow us.

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Uninstall OneDrive App

If you do not prefer using OneDrive app at all along with its features, Windows 10 allows you to uninstall it in some of its versions. If you have the updated version, you can uninstall the app by visiting the ‘Programs and Features’ section.

To do this:

1. Press the Windows Key + R. This will open the command bar.
2. Type ‘appwiz.cpl’ and click ‘Ok’ to open the programs window.
3. Now locate ‘Microsoft OneDrive’ and right-click to select ‘Uninstall’.

Unsync using the Group Policy Editor

If you feel that OneDrive might come in use in the future, you can still unsync it without having to uninstall it. However, this feature is only available in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions. This technique involves the Group Policy Editor.

To do this:

1. In the Cortana search box, type ‘gpedit’ and select to open gpedit.msc.
2. In the left hand side panel, expand the ‘Computer Configuration’ node, followed by ‘Administrative Templates’.
3. In the right hand side panel, double-click on ‘Windows Components’.
4. In the new page, look for ‘OneDrive’. Double-click to open it.
5. Double-click on ‘Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage’.
6. The default selected option is ‘Not Configured’. Choose the ‘Enabled’ option instead.
7. Click on OK, exit Group Policy Editor.

As compared to uninstalling the app, this is a quick way to unsync OneDrive. Furthermore, if you wish to turn it on later, all you need to do is set the ‘Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage’ to ‘Disabled’ in the Step # 6 above. All other steps remain the same.

Unsync using the Unlink Account Option

If you’re not a tech-savvy user and don’t know how to use complex tools such as Group Policy Editor, don’t worry. We are about to share with you yet another technique to unsync OneDrive. The only thing you need to do is select the ‘Unlink Account’ option in the program settings.

To do this:

1. Click on the ‘OneDrive’ notification icon.
2. Click on the ‘Help & Settings’ icon.
3. Then, click the ‘Account’ tab.
4. Right-below you will see ‘Unlink this PC’ mentioned. Click it.
5. A window will pop-up asking you to ‘unlink account on this PC’.
6. Click the‘ Unlink account’ to disable OneDrive syncing.

Unsync Specific Folders

Last but not the least, you can unsync specific folders instead of unsyncing everything in your OneDrive account. This way you will be saving space on your PC by unsyncing folders that occupy larger storage and don’t necessarily have to be stored offline.

To do this:

1. Click the ‘OneDrive Icon’ in the notification tray.
2. Click on the Help & Settings icon.
3. Select Settings.
4. Now, click on Account.
5. Scroll down to click ‘Choose Folders’. This will open the OneDrive files and folders.
6. Uncheck the option ‘Mark all files available’. Alternatively, you can uncheck individual folders that you don’t want OneDrive to sync.
7. Once you are done unchecking, press the ‘OK’ button. Now, if you were to open the OneDrive in File Explorer, it will not include the unsynced files and folders.