Stop OneDrive from hijacking my local files!

Question

I love OneDrive. I shouldn't be FORECED to delete OneDrive app to keep my files where I want them! I want to use it the way I WANT to use it. You forcing me to DELETE OneDrive to keep all my files local is ridiculous! I pay to use OneDrive. I love using it. But Microsoft/Windows hijacking all my local files and forcing them onto OneDrive forces ME to delete OneDrive and stop using it. Sucks! I should be able to use OneDrive as I see fit, what works for ME. STOP hijacking my files so I can resume using OneDrive the way I wish to. I've done ALL the required steps: turn off autosync, unlink my pc, etc... Yet, with every Windows update, my files are hijacked back to OneDrive (startbackup). I'm forced to delte the OneDrive app. I hate that. FIX THIS!

Answer 1

Hi Lisa, go to>This PC\C:\Users\UserName>All the Folder there are on your PC (none of those folders are in/on OneDrive)>You will see the OneDrive Folder>All the files in there are on OneDrive. You can create a Folder (choose a name). Then you can keep any files or folders that you do not want on OneDrive in there. I created and use one called>Rons Documents.

Note>you may see a Folder just called Documents>That is your original system Document Folder. It will or should be empty>Right click on it>Properties>You will see a location tab, indicating it is a system folder. All your documents were in there before OneDrive grabbed them!

Answer 2

Hi Lisa,

If I understand the "specific" end goal you want to achieve, I think I might be able to offer some options.

So, to clarify -

Do you want your files/folders to be accessible even when offline (locally stored), but also sync to OneDrive?

OR

Do you want to choose what to sync to OneDrive, but keep your shell folders such as Desktop, Documents, Pictures in a local path, meaning, C:\users\your username\Desktop, vs. C:\users\your username\OneDrive\Desktop?

Once i get your feedback, I think we can work out something to achieve your goal.

Answer 3

If you never want anything on your PC to synchronize with OneDrive online, you can unlink OneDrive fro your PC. See the "Unlink OneDrive from your computer" section in the article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0 .

The screen shot below is from the article.

Answer 4

OneDrive can be used without “hijacking” local files by stopping sync and/or unlinking or uninstalling the client. However, Windows updates may re-enable certain OneDrive experiences, so the only fully reliable way to prevent files from being redirected again is to completely disconnect OneDrive from the PC.

To keep files local and still control how OneDrive is used, apply these steps in order:

1. Unlink OneDrive from the computer
   • Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
   • Select the Help & Settings icon, then Settings.
   • Go to the Account tab.
   • Select Unlink this PC, then Unlink account.
   • This stops the PC from syncing with the cloud but does not delete files; they remain in the local OneDrive folder and in the cloud. Files can still be accessed via OneDrive.com.
2. Stop syncing and hide OneDrive so it cannot resume sync
   • After unlinking, open File Explorer.
   • Right‑click OneDrive in the left pane and select Properties.
   • On the General tab, under Attributes, check Hidden to hide the OneDrive folder from File Explorer.
   • In the notification area, select the OneDrive icon again and choose Quit OneDrive to remove the icon and stop the sync process.
   • This combination (unlink + hide + quit) prevents OneDrive from actively managing folders on the PC.
3. If Windows updates continue to re‑enable OneDrive, uninstall the OneDrive desktop app
   • Select Start, type Add or remove programs, and open it.
   • Under Apps & features, find Microsoft OneDrive.
   • Select it, then choose Uninstall and confirm.
   • Uninstalling does not delete cloud data; files remain available at OneDrive.com. Local copies in the OneDrive folder stay on the PC as normal files.
4. Use OneDrive only on the web (no automatic sync)
   • After unlinking or uninstalling, OneDrive can still be used manually in a browser to upload/download only the files that are chosen, without Windows redirecting Desktop/Documents/Pictures automatically.

These are the supported ways to stop OneDrive from automatically syncing or “taking over” folders while still preserving both local and cloud data.

---

References:

• Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive
• How to cancel or stop sync in OneDrive
• OneDrive desktop app for earlier versions of Windows
• What is the best way to manage my OneDrive files?