OneDrive is uploading files to the cloud without my input.

Stuart Clarke 0 Reputation points
2026-10-11T08:53:47.2+00:00

Hi

I am having difficulty with OneDrive. It is randomly uploading my data files up into the cloud.

How do I stop OneNote from interfering with where my files are stored and get the files back on to my laptop?

Stu

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Windows
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  1. Stuart Clarke 0 Reputation points
    2026-10-12T15:03:49.2966667+00:00

    Hi thank you for your quick response. I'll be trying out the suggestions made over the coming week. Regards Stu

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  2. Stuart Clarke 0 Reputation points
    2026-10-12T15:02:12.0733333+00:00

    Hi thank you for responding. I'll be trying your suggestions out over the next week.

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  3. Ramesh Srinivasan 88,875 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-11T11:00:56.1066667+00:00

    Hi Stuart,

    Please click on the OneDrive icon in the notification area. In the OneDrive flyout window, click the gear icon and select Settings.

    In the Sync and Backup tab, expand "Advanced settings". Under "Files On-Demand", click "Download all files". Selecting this option downloads all files from the cloud to your device.

    onedrive-download-all-files

    Once done, you can stop folder backups. See the section "Stop folder backup in OneDrive" at this link → Back up your folders with OneDrive | Microsoft Support.

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  4. AI answer

    2026-10-11T08:54:02.5966667+00:00

    To stop OneDrive from uploading local folders automatically and keep files on the laptop, turn off folder backup for the folders OneDrive is redirecting, such as Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

    1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
    2. Select Help & Settings > Settings.
    3. Open the Sync and backup tab.
    4. Select Manage backup.
    5. Turn off backup for the folders that should stay local.

    When stopping backup on Windows, OneDrive gives these choices for each folder:

    • Keep the files only in OneDrive and remove them from the computer, or
    • Keep the files only on my PC and remove them from OneDrive.

    To get the files back onto the laptop, choose Keep the files only on my PC for the affected folders.

    If there are files that should never be included in OneDrive, move them to a folder outside the OneDrive folder in File Explorer. Files moved out of OneDrive are no longer backed up there.

    If syncing is currently in progress and needs to be stopped first:

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

    If the goal is to stop OneDrive completely on that laptop:

    1. Open the OneDrive icon > Settings.
    2. Go to the Account tab.
    3. Select Unlink this PC.

    If OneDrive was set to back up important folders, that is the usual reason files appear to be uploaded “without input.” Disabling that backup stops OneDrive from redirecting those folders.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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