How do I remove Desktop and Document folders from OneDrive?

Had the same problem. Solved it using the following steps:

1. Right click OneDrive, open 'Setting';
2. Go to 'Account' tab, and click ‘Choose folders'. Then one can unselect the folders.

Hi Vineeth,

I am Sumit here to assist you with this question.

Downloads are not backed up by default in Windows.

Click Onedrive icon on the Taskbar, Click the gear icon>Settings>Back Up tab. Uncheck each of the entry.

If you moved the location of the Downloads folder to Onedrive by mistake, right-click the Downloads folder. Choose Properties.

On the Location Tab, click the Restore Default button. Use the same steps for Desktop folder if you wish.

Hope that helps.

Spend hours on this issue without any results.

1.) I removed Desktop and Document folders from within the "Backup" settings in OneDrive (right click OneDrive icon).

2.) I right clicked the folders (documents) in File Explorer and went to "Location" tab and clicked on "restore defaults". I did get the prompts and confirmed all. But when I review the changes, I see that the location has NOT changed and jumps back to OneDrive. Why?

3.) When I stop OneDrive from syncing for 24 hours, OneDrive keeps resuming immediately without asking me. It is like OneDrive is forcefully trying to suck up all my data and there is no way I can stop it.

This is probably the worst experience I had so far with Windows 11. I also believe this is illegal in the EU, as I have not confirmed anywhere that I want my private data in the cloud.

Please, we need a competent Microsoft Engineer to resolve this issue and let us know how we can remove these folders from our OneDrive ASAP!

Needed and got a new computer. Didn't even think about there being new operating system (Windows 11). Definitely some unexpected issues!

Today became aware of the one initially described by Vineeth and these last items by WalterHildebrand, when I began the tedious process of transferring files from "old computer" to the new one. I historically and consistently have NOT opted for storage in OneDrive and quickly realized that was what was happening when I moved a file to the new computer.

Agree wholeheartedly with WalterHildebrand and others in this thread.

Has there been any movement/useful response from Microsoft? How can we best press for resolution?

Very appreciatively

As you can see from the threads, MSFT makes a lot of assumptions about how 'they' want to manage your data instead of yourself.

Personally, I uninstalled one drive before disassociating my folders from that service: I might try re-installing just to turn things off. I spent a stupid few minutes trying to find my pictures folder to use with my own sync tools.

They can easily 'associate' any folder with the service without burying them inside the One Drive folder giving the appearance your folders and One Drive belong together.

They could easily make this more intuitive to manage and use. You should not be having to search online on how to manage your folders outside of One Drive, much less "unchain yourself from a MSFT service you are not interested in".

They are going beyond a "suggestion" to "nudging" you to use their services. It's rude and disrespectful. Apple does the same thing.

They don't care.

I effing hate microsoft for this. I just want OneDrive to sync my OneNote notebook and NOTHING else.

I don't want it to sync my documents, I don't want it to sync my pictures.

I don't want it changing the location of my Documents, Pictures, etc. folders to a new location under OneDrive, so now I have 2 copies of all those folders.

I don't want it to complain that it's out of space, and solicit me to spend more money for more storage on their stupid service.

YOU SUCK MICROSOFT!

PS I don't even know how they came up with the username I posted this reply under, or how to control the name of my user folder. They have dumbed down Windows and taken away our options for no good reason. If I wanted a computer that treats me like a toddler, I would have gotten a Mac!