how to turn off one-drive?

Marshall Blonstein 0 Reputation points
2026-10-17T15:39:12.1433333+00:00

turned on house cpu this am and now on that desktop is a copy of all my personal icons on my personal computer. how do i turn off one-drive as I believe this is what has happened

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows
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  1. EmilyS726 273.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-17T16:14:25.9633333+00:00

    Sounds like you have OneDrive running on both computer via the same account.

    On the computer you don't want to see files from the personal computer, go to Settings > Accounts > Windows Backup.

    Find Set up syncing or Manage backup button, on the pop up, turn off the folders.

    Restart the computer. The files from the personal computer shouldn't show up on your desktop now.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-17T15:39:56.45+00:00

    Turn off OneDrive’s Desktop backup on the house computer before deleting any icons, then unlink that computer if you want OneDrive synchronization disabled completely.

    1. Stop the desktops from being shared

    On the house computer:

    1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon near the clock. If it is hidden, select the up arrow first.
    2. Select the Help & Settings gear → Settings.
    3. Open Sync and backup → Manage backup.
    4. Turn off Desktop.
    5. When prompted, choose Keep the files only on my PC.

    OneDrive Desktop backup makes Desktop items available on every computer using that OneDrive account. Turning off Desktop backup separates this computer’s Desktop from the synchronized Desktop.^1^

    Do not delete the unwanted icons until Desktop backup has been turned off. While both desktops are synchronized, deleting an item on one computer can also remove it from the other.

    If OneDrive reports that some files could not be moved because they are cloud-only, open the OneDrive folder in File Explorer, right-click those files, and select Always keep on this device. Wait for them to download, then repeat the steps above.^1^

    After backup is off, remove unwanted icons from the house computer’s Desktop. Confirm first that the personal computer still has everything required.

    2. Turn off all OneDrive syncing on the house computer

    If OneDrive should not run on that computer at all:

    1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon → Help & Settings → Settings.
    2. Open the Account tab.
    3. Select Unlink this PC.
    4. Select Unlink account to confirm.

    Unlinking stops synchronization without deleting the files stored in OneDrive online.^2^

    Optional: uninstall OneDrive

    After unlinking, if it is not needed:

    1. Select Start and search for Add or remove programs.
    2. Find Microsoft OneDrive.
    3. Select Uninstall.

    Some Windows versions have OneDrive built in and may not allow it to be uninstalled; unlinking it is sufficient to stop synchronization.^2^

    References

    1. Back up your folders with OneDrive | Microsoft Support
    2. Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive | Microsoft Support
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