How can I default to C: instead of OneDrive?

Question

When i open File Explorer, it defaults to OneDrive. I want the default 'Documents' folder and 'Pictures' folder to be my hard drive, not OneDrive. I do not want to have to open every folder starting at Local Disk (C:). I also am unable to pin either of those folders to the Home section of the File Explorer sidebar.

Answer 1

Hello Vanessa2381,

Thanks for the clear explanation, It sounds like you want to:

Stop OneDrive from being the default location for your Documents and Pictures folders.

Set your local C: drive as the default for these folders.

Pin those local folders to the File Explorer sidebar (Home section).

Let’s walk through each step in detail:

Step 1: Move Default Folders Back to C: Drive

OneDrive often takes over default folders like Documents and Pictures. Here's how to move them back:

Change Location of Documents and Pictures

Open File Explorer.

Navigate to your user folder:

C:\Users[YourUsername]

Right-click on Documents (or Pictures).

Select Properties.

Go to the Location tab.

Click Restore Default.

Click Apply, then OK.

This will move the folder back to its default location on the C: drive.

Repeat this for Pictures, Music, Videos, etc., if needed.

Step 2: Pin Local Folders to File Explorer Sidebar

If you're unable to pin folders to the Home section, try this workaround:

Pin to Quick Access

Open File Explorer.

Navigate to the folder you want to pin (e.g., C:\Users[YourUsername]\Documents).

Right-click the folder.

Select Pin to Quick Access.

This adds the folder to the sidebar under “Quick Access,” which is visible every time you open File Explorer.

Step 3: Change File Explorer Startup Location

To make File Explorer open to This PC (not OneDrive or Quick Access):

Open File Explorer.

Click the three dots in the toolbar and choose Options.

In the General tab, find “Open File Explorer to:”

Change it from Quick Access to This PC.

Click Apply, then OK.

Now, File Explorer will open to your drives (including C:) instead of OneDrive or Quick Access.

OPTIONAL: Disable OneDrive Sync (if you don’t want to use it)

If you want to stop OneDrive from syncing altogether:

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray.

Go to Settings > Account.

Click Unlink this PC.

Confirm and exit.

This stops OneDrive from syncing files and folders.

Please let me know if it works. I await your response.

Warm regards,

JayMark.D | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi Vanessa, if you go to>This PC\C:\Users\UserName you will see everything there is on C: Drive. So you can create a Folder for your files there, to be on C:Drive. If you open a Word Document and go to>File>Options>Save, as below,. You will see my default save location is D Drive\Documents. You will also see the Browse button, you can take it to you Folder on C Drive.