How do I change the default storage of my Outlook emails, I do not want it to automatically save to One Drive?

Question

I am having trouble with my Windows 11 laptop. It seems everything I do saves to One Drive automatically. My Documents and PDF's are suddenly much larger and difficult to send multiple attachments. Also I do not want my emails to automatically store to One Drive. Could someone please help?

Answer 1

Hi Monique

I understand that you want to stop files and Outlook-related items from automatically saving to OneDrive on your Windows 11 device. I am happy to help you. Could you confirm if:

• Windows documents or PDFs are saving to OneDrive automatically.
• Outlook attachments are saving to OneDrive.
• You want New Outlook emails themselves stored locally instead of in the mailbox cloud.

Meanwhile, try the following steps:

1) Turn off OneDrive backup for Documents, Desktop, and Pictures

Select the OneDrive cloud icon on the Windows taskbar, then go to:

Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup

Turn off backup for the folders you do not want saved to OneDrive, such as:

• Documents
• Desktop
• Pictures

When prompted, choose the option to keep the files on your PC if you want them stored locally.

Reference: Back up your folders with OneDrive | Microsoft Support

2) Save new documents and PDFs to This PC

When saving a file, choose This PC or a local folder instead of OneDrive. For Office files, you can choose another save location and set a default local save location if needed.

3) Save Outlook attachments locally

If Outlook attachments are being saved into OneDrive, it is usually because your Documents folder is currently backed up to OneDrive.

After turning off OneDrive backup for Documents, save attachments by choosing a local folder such as:

• C:\Users\yourname\Documents
• Another folder outside the OneDrive folder
• A folder on another local drive, if available

4) Understand New Outlook email storage

New Outlook does not work the same way as classic Outlook with a local PST-style default mailbox file. If you need full local PST-style email storage or archiving, you may need to use classic Outlook. Please note that Outlook Data Files, such as .pst files, are used to store Outlook items locally on the computer. Reference: Create an Outlook Data File (.pst) to save your information | Microsoft Support

5) Free up local space if files are already synced

If files remain in the OneDrive folder but you do not want them downloaded locally, right-click the files or folders and choose Free up space. Files On-Demand lets OneDrive files appear in File Explorer without taking up local disk space until they are opened.

Reference: Save disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows | Microsoft Support

Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!  

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Answer 2

Hi @Monique

please check the below link already answered for your query.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5403637/my-outlook-email-account-is-linked-to-one-drive-ho

please make sure this is for classic outlook. new outlook storage in cloud only.

Thanks.