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Optimizing your OneDrive sync settings can be a game-changer for your productivity and storage space.
You can exclude folders from syncing to OneDrive by using the "Exclude folder" feature, which is available in the OneDrive settings. This feature allows you to specify specific folders that you don't want to sync to the cloud.
To exclude a folder, you'll need to navigate to the OneDrive settings, select the folder you want to exclude, and click the "Exclude" button. This will prevent the folder from syncing to OneDrive, saving you storage space and reducing the amount of data being transmitted over the internet.
By excluding folders you don't need to sync, you can free up storage space on your device and reduce the amount of time it takes to sync your files.
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Excluding Files and Folders
Excluding certain files from OneDrive sync has many advantages, including saving storage space, saving synchronization time, and keeping files private.
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You can exclude files from OneDrive sync using two possible solutions. One way is to manage folder backup, which allows you to let OneDrive exclude folder from sync to cloud easily.
To exclude a folder from syncing to OneDrive by managing backup, follow these steps: Right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar and click Help & Settings to choose Settings. Under the Backup tab, hit the Manage backup button. Tap the Stop backup position under the folder that you want to exclude from synchronization to OneDrive.
You can also use free file sync software like CBackup to exclude files and folders from OneDrive sync. CBackup allows you to sync any folder to OneDrive, so you can make OneDrive exclude folders and subfolders from sync.
Here are the steps to exclude files from OneDrive sync using CBackup:
- Sign up for a CBackup account and run the CBackup software.
- Connect your OneDrive account to CBackup.
- Choose Sync PC to Public Cloud and select the folders you want to sync with OneDrive.
- Click the > position to expand folders and untick the folders you want to exclude from OneDrive sync.
- Select a folder in OneDrive as the sync path under Destination.
- If you want to let OneDrive exclude file types from sync, you can click Settings > File Filter and select the file format you wish to filter or click Add Filter to add a customized filter.
You can also exclude OneDrive folders from syncing to your computer by going to the OneDrive Settings, unchecking the folders you need to exclude from OneDrive local sync, and clicking OK.
Here are some common folders that you might want to exclude from OneDrive local sync:
- Desktop
- Photos
- Documents
- Automatically save photos and videos to OneDrive whenever you connect a camera, phone, or other device to your PC
- Automatically save screenshots you capture to OneDrive
Managing Sync Settings
Managing Sync Settings is a crucial aspect of using OneDrive. You can manage sync settings to exclude files and folders from syncing to OneDrive.
OneDrive offers a Manage Backup feature that allows you to exclude folder from sync to cloud easily. However, it is only able to remove synchronization for root folders like Desktop, Documents, etc.
To manage sync settings, you can right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar and click Help & Settings to choose Settings. Under the Backup tab, hit the Manage backup button.
Here are the steps to manage sync settings:
- Go to the Backup tab and click Manage backup.
- Uncheck the folder that you don’t want OneDrive to sync.
- If you don’t want OneDrive to sync Desktop, you can uncheck the Desktop folder.
- You can also uncheck the boxes of Automatically save photos and videos to OneDrive whenever I connect a camera, phone or other device to my PC and Automatically save screenshots I capture to OneDrive.
To exclude file types from syncing to OneDrive, you can use a free file sync software like CBackup. CBackup allows you to sync any folder to OneDrive and exclude file types like .pst, .tmp, .bak, .temp, .txt, .doc, and so on from OneDrive synchronization.
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Here are the steps to exclude file types with CBackup:
1. Download and install CBackup.
2. Sign up for a CBackup account and run the software.
3. Click on the Storage tab, select OneDrive, and click Authorize Now to connect your OneDrive account to CBackup.
4. Swap to the Sync tab, and choose Sync PC to Public Cloud.
5. Select the folders you want to sync with OneDrive and untick the folders you want to exclude from OneDrive sync.
6. If you want to exclude file types, click Settings > File Filter and select Exclude file types.
7. Press Start Sync to remove unwanted files and folders from OneDrive sync.
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Stopping Sync for Specific Folders
You can stop OneDrive from syncing specific folders by managing the backup folders. To do this, go to the OneDrive icon, click the gear icon, and choose Settings to open the Microsoft OneDrive window.
OneDrive offers a Manage Backup feature that allows you to let OneDrive exclude folder from sync to cloud easily. However, it is only able to remove synchronization for root folders like Desktop, Documents, etc.
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You can also use file sync software like CBackup to exclude files and folders from OneDrive sync. CBackup allows you to sync any folder to OneDrive, so you can make OneDrive exclude folders and subfolders from sync.
Here are the steps to exclude folders from OneDrive sync using CBackup:
1. Sign up for a CBackup account and run the software.
2. Click on the Storage tab, select OneDrive, and click Authorize Now to connect your OneDrive account to CBackup.
3. Swap to the Sync tab, and choose Sync PC to Public Cloud.
4. Select the folders you want to sync with OneDrive, and untick the folders you want to exclude from OneDrive sync.
5. If you want to let OneDrive exclude file types from sync, you can click Settings > File Filter.
Alternatively, you can also manage OneDrive backup folders to stop syncing specific folders. To do this, go to the OneDrive icon, click the gear icon, and choose Settings to open the Microsoft OneDrive window. Under the Backup tab, click Manage backup and uncheck the folder you don't want OneDrive to sync.
Here's a list of steps to stop OneDrive from syncing Desktop:
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1. Go to the OneDrive icon and click the gear icon.
2. Choose Settings to open the Microsoft OneDrive window.
3. Under the Backup tab, click Manage backup.
4. Uncheck the Desktop folder.
5. Click Stop Backup to confirm.
By following these steps, you can stop OneDrive from syncing specific folders and customize your syncing experience to suit your needs.
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General Sync Management
You can manage OneDrive sync by going to the OneDrive icon on the taskbar and clicking Help & Settings to choose Settings.
To exclude a folder from OneDrive sync, you can use the Manage Backup feature, which allows you to stop backup for a specific folder.
Right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar and click Help & Settings to choose Settings, then go to the Backup tab and hit the Manage backup button.
Under the Backup tab, you can uncheck the folder that you don’t want OneDrive to sync, such as the Desktop folder.
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If you don't want OneDrive to sync your screenshots, photos, and videos, you can go back to the Backup tab and uncheck the corresponding boxes.
You can also specify another storage path by clicking the DESTINATION tab.
To exclude OneDrive folders from syncing locally, go to the OneDrive Settings and uncheck the folders you need to exclude from OneDrive local sync.
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Windows Desktop Sync
You can stop OneDrive from syncing your Desktop folder entirely, but keep in mind any files you place on your Desktop will no longer sync with OneDrive.
To do this, locate the cloud-shaped OneDrive icon in your notification area and click it.
Click the gear icon at the top-right corner of the OneDrive popup menu and select "Settings."
You can also choose which other folders you want to sync to OneDrive from here, such as Documents, Pictures, and Desktop.
OneDrive will continue syncing the main OneDrive folder itself, even if you disable the other folders.
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If you don't want to disable Desktop sync entirely, you can choose which other folders you want to sync to OneDrive.
You can also have it sync Music and Videos if you want, but keep in mind any files you place on your Desktop will no longer sync with OneDrive.
You will want to change this setting on each PC you use to prevent OneDrive from syncing your Desktop.
By default, OneDrive syncs Documents, Pictures, and Desktop, but you can disable the "Desktop" option by clicking the switch to its right.
You can stop OneDrive from syncing the Desktop folder to and from the PC you're configuring it on.
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Key Concepts and Takeaways
To stop OneDrive from syncing your desktop, you must stop it from syncing your Desktop folder. This is because OneDrive automatically syncs your desktop files between your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs.
OneDrive syncs your desktop files by default, which can lead to broken desktop icons on some of your PCs. This is a common issue that can be frustrating to deal with.
To fix this issue, you need to toggle the "Desktop" folder off in OneDrive settings. This will prevent OneDrive from syncing your desktop files and eliminate the broken icons.
By following these simple steps, you can easily exclude your desktop from OneDrive syncing and keep your desktop icons intact.
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Sources
- https://www.cbackup.com/articles/how-do-i-exclude-files-from-onedrive-sync.html
- https://superuser.com/questions/1662589/how-to-prevent-a-folder-from-being-synced-on-onedrive
- https://serverfault.com/questions/698950/how-to-configure-a-onedrive-folder-as-online-only-by-default
- https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/how-to-stop-onedrive-from-syncing.html
- https://www.howtogeek.com/879710/how-to-stop-onedrive-from-syncing-windows-desktop-shortcuts/
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