How to Stop, Pause or Turn Off OneDrive Sync (Windows and Mac)

Stop, pause or turn off OneDrive sync

Choose the option that matches what you want: pause for a set time, stop syncing particular folders, stop syncing a SharePoint library, or unlink your account from this computer. Your files stay online in each case.

You want to	Do this
Pause for a while	Pause syncing for 2, 8 or 24 hours
Stop OneDrive running	Pause syncing, then Quit OneDrive
Keep some folders off this computer	Choose folders
Stop syncing a SharePoint or Teams library	Stop sync next to the site
Stop syncing an account on this computer	Unlink this PC

Pause syncing

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

Syncing resumes by itself when the pause ends. You can reschedule the pause, which is a way to make the sync run overnight. To start OneDrive again after quitting, press the Windows key, or open Spotlight on a Mac, type OneDrive and select the app.

Stop syncing specific folders

Choose folders keeps selected folders off this computer while they stay online.

Windows

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, then the Help and Settings icon, then Settings.
2. Open the Account tab and select Choose folders.
3. Clear the check box beside each folder you want to keep off this PC, then select OK.

Mac

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar, open the settings menu and choose Preferences.
2. Open the Account tab and select Choose Folders.
3. Remove the check marks from the folders to exclude, then select OK.

A folder you clear is removed from the computer, and the folder and its contents stay available online. Only folders already in your OneDrive can be chosen, so a folder on an external USB drive cannot be added. Microsoft lists Documents, Desktop, Pictures and the Personal Vault folder among the folders that cannot be unchecked. Your choices apply to that one computer and that one account, and the web and mobile apps always show every folder.

If a file or folder was marked Always keep on this device by mistake, mark it Free up space instead.

Stop syncing a SharePoint or Teams library

1. Select the blue OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar notification area.
2. Select the gear icon, then Settings.
3. Open the Account tab, where your syncing sites are listed.
4. Next to the site, select Stop sync.

Copies of the files stay on your computer. If you cannot stop syncing a library, your organization may have set it to sync automatically, and users cannot stop those libraries. OneDrive sync issues with SharePoint libraries covers syncing a library, stopping it, and the automatic sync policy.

Unlink this PC

Unlinking disconnects your Microsoft or work or school account from this computer, which is the right step when you stop using OneDrive, change jobs or graduate.

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar or menu bar.
2. Select the gear icon, then Settings or Preferences.
3. Open the Account tab and select Unlink this PC.

Microsoft states that you do not lose files or data by removing OneDrive from your computer, and you can always reach your files by signing in at OneDrive.com.

Before you delete anything while sync is paused

• A file deleted on OneDrive.com goes to your OneDrive recycle bin.
• A file deleted from your computer's OneDrive folder goes to the computer's Recycle Bin or Trash.
• If a file was added by mistake, pause OneDrive first, then delete it or move it out of your OneDrive folders.
• After an accidental mass deletion, Microsoft's advice is to let the action finish, then undo it or restore the files.

OneDrive deleted files: how to recover them covers the recycle bin, the 93-day window and restoring a whole OneDrive.

Frequently asked questions

How do I pause OneDrive sync?

Right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar, or Ctrl-click it on a Mac, select Pause syncing and choose 2, 8 or 24 hours.

How do I stop OneDrive syncing one folder?

Open OneDrive Settings, go to the Account tab, select Choose folders, clear the folder and select OK. The folder is removed from the computer and stays online.

How do I stop syncing a SharePoint library?

Open OneDrive Settings, go to the Account tab and select Stop sync next to the site. Copies of the files stay on your computer.

What does Unlink this PC do?

It disconnects your account from OneDrive on that computer. Your files stay available at OneDrive.com.

Will I lose files if I unlink OneDrive?

Microsoft states that you do not lose files or data by removing OneDrive from your computer, and you can always access them by signing in at OneDrive.com.

Why can't I stop syncing a library?

Your organization may have set the library to sync automatically. Users cannot stop libraries that administrators sync with that policy.

How do I start OneDrive again after quitting it?

Press the Windows key and search for OneDrive, or open Spotlight on a Mac, type OneDrive and select the app.

Related reading

• OneDrive sync issues with SharePoint libraries - limits, fixes and automatic sync.
• OneDrive deleted files: how to recover them - the recycle bin and restoring a OneDrive.
• SharePoint vs OneDrive vs Teams - where files live in each.
• SharePoint Online limits - the sync and file limits Microsoft publishes.
• How to uninstall OneDrive - unlink, hide or uninstall on Windows, Mac and phones.
• OneDrive stuck on Sync pending or Processing changes - causes and fixes.
• OneDrive Files On-Demand - icons, free up space and always keep.