Stop Syncing between desktop and laptop

Question

All of a sudden, my laptop imported all of the files from my desktop computer . . . from 400 miles away. I need to stop the syncing of those two devices. They appear to be in constant communication with each other. Perhaps this is being done through the OneDrive feature. I have tried several things like stopping the sharing on both computers, but nothing I do seems to work.

Answer 1

OneDrive is not designed for one-way syncing to the cloud—it syncs both ways. It's designed to merge all your files from all your devices into a single conglomeration (or source) for all your files.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzIA9uykIhE&t=43s

I suggest you use two different Microsoft accounts to keep files separate, or use the OneDrive Free up space feature to keep unwanted files from filling up your device.

Answer 2

Hello

You would need to do this on both computers -

Right click on the OneDrive cloud icon on the lower right on your taskbar to go to Setting> Sync and backup tab > "Manage Backup" button, then turn off all folders listed there.

Restart the computer after that. Do this on both computers.

Answer 3

This is most likely OneDrive syncing the same folders on both PCs through the same Microsoft account. In many home setups, OneDrive backs up and syncs Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, so changes on one device can appear on the other.

Try this on the laptop first if that is the device that should stop mirroring the desktop:

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area.
2. Select Help & Settings or the gear icon, then Settings.
3. Go to the Account tab.
4. Select Unlink this PC and confirm with Unlink account.

That stops OneDrive on that laptop from continuing to sync with the same account. Unlinking does not delete files from OneDrive; files remain available by signing in to OneDrive on the web.

If the issue is specifically that the Desktop folder is being mirrored, turn off folder backup:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar.
2. Open Settings.
3. Go to Sync and backup.
4. Select Manage backup.
5. Turn off the folders that should not sync, such as Desktop.

If syncing is happening right now and changes are still moving between devices, pause it first:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar.
2. Select Pause syncing.
3. Choose 2, 8, or 24 hours, or select Quit OneDrive.

If a shared library or site is syncing rather than personal OneDrive files:

1. Select the blue OneDrive cloud icon.
2. Select Settings.
3. Open the Account tab.
4. For the synced site or library, select Stop sync.

Important: when a folder or site is stopped from syncing, copies of the files can remain on the computer. Also, if a library is synced again later, OneDrive can create a new folder with a number added to the name.

If needed, repeat the same check on the desktop so both devices are not backing up the same folders.

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References:

• How to cancel or stop sync in OneDrive
• Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive
• Sync SharePoint and Teams files with your computer
• How do I un-sync my home apps between my laptop and desktop? - Microsoft Q&A
• How to UNSYNC two laptops? - Microsoft Q&A
• Two Computers, Two Different Uses, and OneDrive Merges These Different Desktops - Microsoft Q&A