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Can you only sync the folders one drive gives you?

Nick Davies 0 Reputation points
2026-01-13T02:51:44.2266667+00:00

The documents folder for example, I do not need the whole folder synced especially cause windows decided to install some music production programs on there. So can you pick sub folders within documents to be synced instead??

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage
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Rodrigo Queiroz 77,755 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-01-13T03:47:15.62+00:00

Hi, I'm Rodrigo and I will help you.
Unfortunately, is it not possible to choose which local folders will be automatically to OneDrive, only the OneDrive folders that will be synced to the local computer.

A workaround for this issue is to use a symlink, which will create a link to the local folder and upload the files to OneDrive. Here is a guide to use symlinks:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/can-t-synchronize-onedrive-files-and-folders-from-a-local-file-location-other-than-the-default-onedrive-path-b7eef9d4-4203-431d-8345-fe49254f9da0

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  1. Anonymous
    2026-01-13T03:27:53.4266667+00:00

    If OneDrive’s PC Folder Backup is turned on, the entire Documents folder must sync. You can’t pick subfolders.

    References:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/back-up-your-folders-with-onedrive-d61a7930-a6fb-4b95-b28a-6552e77c3057

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  2. AI answer

    2026-01-13T02:52:20.77+00:00

    You can selectively sync folders within your OneDrive setup, including subfolders within the Documents folder. However, the OneDrive sync app primarily allows you to sync entire folders rather than individual subfolders directly. If you want to manage which specific folders are synced, you can stop syncing the entire Documents folder and then set up synchronization for only the subfolders you need.

    To change the sync settings, you would typically go into the OneDrive settings and manage the folders you want to sync from there. This way, you can exclude the unwanted folders while keeping the necessary ones synced.

    References:

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