unsync two computers

Question

I recently bought a new computer and added a computer that we synced thinking that it was the one that we just lost. it turned out that it was an old computer that another family member is using and all of her information is now showing up on my new computer. I hesitate removing anything for fear of deleting all of her files. I just want to get all of her informationoff of my computer. Please advise.

Cindy Galwey

Answer 1

Hello

Go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.

Click on Set up Syncing button, turn off all of the folders.

On the same page, you can also toggle off the "remember my apps" amd "remember my preferences" as well.

Answer 2

To remove the other family member’s files from the new computer without deleting them from her account, stop or limit OneDrive sync on the new computer instead of deleting files.

Follow these steps on the new computer that is showing her files:

1. Unlink OneDrive on the new computer (safest “unsync” option)
   • Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar (near the clock).
   • Select the gear icon (Help & Settings), then Settings.
   • Go to the Account tab.
   • Select Unlink this PC.
   • This stops the connection between this computer and that OneDrive account. The files already in the cloud stay in her OneDrive and on her own computer, but they will no longer sync to the new computer.
   • After unlinking, you can delete the local OneDrive folder and its contents on the new computer; this removes them only from that device, not from her cloud storage.
2. Alternatively, choose which folders to sync (if you still want some shared content)
   • Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
   • Select the gear icon > Settings.
   • Go to the Account tab and select Choose folders.
   • In Choose Folders, uncheck the folders that belong to the other family member or that you don’t want on this computer, then select OK.
   • When a folder is unchecked, it is removed from the computer, but remains available online in OneDrive.
3. If you no longer want that account on this PC at all
   • After unlinking, sign out of that Microsoft account in Windows and sign in with the correct account intended for this new computer.
   • Then set up OneDrive only with the account that should own this PC.

These steps remove her files from the new computer without deleting them from her OneDrive or her own device.

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References:

• Work with synced files in File Explorer
• How to cancel or stop sync in OneDrive
• Choose which OneDrive folders you want to sync on Windows or macOS
• Permanently delete your entire OneDrive