Does telling Google that I don't want them to back up my photoes stop one drive from doing it?

Chris Slade 20 Reputation points
2026-11-10T14:57:49.73+00:00

I've just had a set up your computer thing after starting and I had to tell the set up if I wanted Google to keep backing up my photos. I clicked the no, because OneDrive does all that, there is no need for anybody else to do it as well. Now I've had to go into OneDrive five time in the last thirty minutes because my files where no longer synching. Clicking the start synching thing seems to work, but withing five minutes each time the little H come up on the cloud and I'm told the files are no longer syching. Have I messed up and if so what can I do about it? Idiot-Proof answers only please.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Other
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Answer accepted by question author
EmilyS726 279.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-11-10T15:40:02.1466667+00:00

No, you haven't messed anything up. Google Photos and Microsoft OneDrive are separate services. Telling Google not to back up your photos will not turn off OneDrive syncing.

I suspect the two little lines that look like an H on your OneDrive cloud icon are actually a pause symbol. Does that look like this? User's image

If so, according to Microsoft, two scenarios can cause the pause to kick in.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/onedrive/how-to-pause-and-resume-onedrive-sync

User's image

To check if this is the case, right click on the cloud icon, resume sync, and then go to Settings. Then go to Sync and backup tab on the left, and check if those two settings are turned on. If they are turned on, you can turn them off.

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If your settings are already correct but OneDrive is still pausing regardless, this can be related to a potential emerging bug.

I’ve been seeing reports from other users over the past few weeks about OneDrive randomly pausing, sometimes when launching games or even web browsers.

You can temporarily turn off Windows Game Mode under Settings > Gaming > Game Mode to see if that makes any difference.

Another option is to uninstall your OneDrive and install this version: 26.189.0928.0009 (amd64).

To uninstall, go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, locate OneDrive and uninstall it. Then restart the computer.

Then download and install it from here: https://oneclient.sfx.ms/Win/Installers/26.189.0928.0009/amd64/OneDriveSetup.exe

And I strongly suggest that you also file a report to make product team aware of this issue. Right click on the OneDrive icon on taskbar > Settings > Send a feedback.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-11-10T14:58:08.5633333+00:00

    No. Telling Google not to back up photos does not stop OneDrive. They are separate services.

    The OneDrive issue is most likely that OneDrive sync has been paused, quit, or backup settings need to be checked.

    Try this in order:

    1. Find the OneDrive cloud icon near the clock.
    2. Right-click it.
    3. If Pause syncing is shown, select it and make sure OneDrive is not paused for 2, 8, or 24 hours.
    4. If OneDrive was quit, start it again from Start and search for OneDrive.

    If the problem keeps coming back:

    1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon.
    2. Select the gear icon, then Settings.
    3. Open Sync and backup.
    4. Select Manage backup.
    5. Check whether Desktop, Documents, Pictures, or other important folders are set the way they should be.
      • If a folder says Not backed up, it is not being protected by OneDrive.
      • To back it up, turn it on and select Save changes.
      • To stop backing up a folder, turn its toggle off.

    If the goal is to stop OneDrive completely:

    1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon.
    2. Select the gear icon, then Settings.
    3. Go to Account.
    4. Select Unlink this PC.

    If OneDrive is no longer needed on the computer:

    1. Open Settings in Windows.
    2. Open the installed apps list.
    3. Find Microsoft OneDrive.
    4. Select Uninstall.

    Important: uninstalling OneDrive does not delete files from OneDrive. Files can still be accessed later by signing in to OneDrive on the web.

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

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Chris Slade 20 Reputation points
    2026-11-10T15:02:50.75+00:00

    The pause synching is there, none of the times are selected but the quit OneDrive has an X by the side of it. Should there be?

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