How to Remove Desktop from OneDrive and Stop Syncing

To remove Desktop from OneDrive and stop syncing, you need to disable the OneDrive sync settings for the Desktop folder.

You can do this by opening File Explorer and navigating to the OneDrive folder.

Right-click on the Desktop folder inside OneDrive and select the "Always keep on this device" option.

This will stop OneDrive from syncing your Desktop folder and remove it from the cloud.

Consider reading: Onedrive Stop Syncing Desktop

Unlinking OneDrive is a crucial step in removing your desktop from OneDrive.

You can unlink OneDrive by going to the Settings app on your Windows 10 device, then clicking on the "Accounts" option.

To confirm that your desktop is no longer synced with OneDrive, you can check the OneDrive settings by clicking on the OneDrive icon in the system tray and selecting "Settings".

The "Save to Cloud" option should be disabled, indicating that your desktop is no longer syncing with OneDrive.

You can also verify that your desktop is no longer synced by looking for the "OneDrive" label on your desktop files and folders, which should now be replaced with the original file name.

If this caught your attention, see: How to Remove Onedrive Synced Folder

To stop OneDrive from syncing your desktop folder, you can simply disable syncing for the Desktop folder entirely. This way, you can still sync your other folders, like Documents and Downloads.

You'll need to locate the cloud-shaped OneDrive icon in your notification area and click it to open the OneDrive popup menu. From there, click the gear icon at the top-right corner to access the Settings.

In the OneDrive Settings window, click the "Manage Backup" button to control which folders are backed up. Then, disable the "Desktop" option by clicking the switch to its right.

Click "Stop Backup" to confirm and then "Close" to save the changes. Be aware that any files you place on your Desktop will no longer sync with OneDrive.

You'll want to change this setting on each PC you use to prevent OneDrive from syncing your Desktop. This will ensure that your Desktop folder remains local to each PC.

You can also choose which other folders you want to sync to OneDrive from this window. By default, OneDrive syncs Documents, Pictures, and Desktop.

Additional reading: How to Add Onedrive to Desktop

To stop OneDrive from syncing desktop shortcuts, you must stop it from syncing your Desktop folder.

You can toggle the "Desktop" folder off in OneDrive settings by clicking "Manage Backup".

This process needs to be repeated on all your PCs running OneDrive to ensure consistent results.

OneDrive automatically syncs your desktop files between Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs.

Consider reading: Remove Onedrive from Windows 11 Explorer