How can I stop my desktop and other folders from syncing to my OneDrive

Question

How can I stop my desktop and other folders from syncing to my OneDrive.

And how can i do it without losing all my files

Answer 1

To avoid file loss, you want to make sure the files are turned to local copies first before you turn off the backup.

Go to your Start menu and see if you already have the OneDrive app installed. If so, go ahead and run it, sign in. If you don't have it installed, you will need to download it, install it back and then set it up. You can download it from here: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive/download

Once you have the OneDrive app up and running again, please follow these steps closely:

1. Right click on the OneDrive cloud icon on the lower right on your taskbar to go to Settings.
2. On the "Sync and Backup" tab, click on "Advanced Settings" to expand that section. Then under File On-Demand, click on "Download all files".
3. Give it plenty of time to allow the files to be downloaded from the online cloud. On your computer's file explorer, you can observe the OneDrive folder and its folders/files inside. You want all of the green checkmark icon to turn solid green with a white checkmark. Depends on how many files you have, this process can take a while, so please be patient.
4. Once all of the folders and files turn into the solid green icon with white checkmark, you can go back to OneDrive Settings. Very important - click on "Manage Backup" button, then turn off all folders listed there.

Restart the computer after that.

Answer 2

Go to Manage Backup in the OneDrive settings and turn off the backup for all folders. After you do that, you can return your files to the default folders. For example, move your documents from the folder at C:\Users\username\OneDrive\Documents to the folder at C:\Users\username\Documents

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

Here is the official documentation to help you Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive.

I suggest you leave OneDrive enabled and simply bypass it altogether by placing your files and folders at C:\Users\username\YourFiles.