How to permanently disable Onedrive from syncing unwanted files onto new computer?? Even possible??

davidm71 · Jul 7, 2023

Hi,

Lately Onedrive has turned into an unwanted communicable disease that you can't get rid of. Its like a bad rash. Everytime I try to disable it Microsoft who thinks they know more about features they think I want than me force install it onto every machine from work to home. Few days ago I reinstalled windows onto my work machine and next thing I know my desktop was cluttered with icons and folders icons marked with a cloud symbol. Google searching suggested turn off back ups for Desktop and other folders in Onedrive settings and I did that and it cleared up my desktop nicely.

However today on another bran new two week old install of Windows on a personal computer I have at home I recently built Windows stated my pin wasn't good anymore due to changes in security descriptors (no idea) and that I should reset my pin. So I reset the pin and when I logged in I went through that OOB experience all over again and Onedrive littered icons all over my desktop. So I went into Onedrive settings again and turned off backups and there was some notice about deleting files and next thing I know newly installed apps on the desktop also were removed along with the other stuff I didn't want.

So this is getting annoying. For one at work I would rather install windows with a local account not tied to an email but for some reason it forces you to give it your email. For two I don't ever want to see Onedrive ever again. I have other cloud backup services I prefer to use. So was wondering is there anyway to set global account settings that ban Onedrive entirely?

Thanks

Brink · Jul 7, 2023

Hello David,

You should be able to use the group policy in the tutorial below to completely disable OneDrive on the PC.

Enable or Disable OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the OneDrive feature for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. OneDrive is built-in to Windows 11 by default. With OneDrive, you can sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere -...

www.elevenforum.com

davidm71 · Jul 7, 2023

Thanks though wonder do those group policy settings get permanently attached to my account across all and every single machine I own running Windows connected to a single email address?

Brink · Jul 7, 2023

The policy is only enforced on the single PC it's configured on. You'll have to set it on each PC.

davidm71 · Jul 7, 2023

So the only way to stop this behavior is to totally wipe your onedrive drive so it has nothing to throw down on your desktop.

Brink · Jul 7, 2023

Another option would be to set up a local account while doing a clean install, disable OneDrive with the policy above, then switch to a Microsoft account if wanted.

Clean Install Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

You used to be able to click on a "Only save files to this PC" link when prompted to not use OneDrive while setting up a Microsoft account during a clean install, but not anymore.

dbartenstein · Jul 7, 2023

davidm71 said:
So the only way to stop this behavior is to totally wipe your onedrive drive so it has nothing to throw down on your desktop.

Or just configure OneDrive so it doesn't replicate the desktop.

Brink · Jul 7, 2023

If OneDrive is already syncing, you can also turn it off before disabling.

Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off OneDrive folder sync for your Microsoft account across all your Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices you sign in with the same Microsoft account. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to...

www.elevenforum.com

Choose which OneDrive Folders to Sync in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to choose which OneDrive folders to sync to your computer for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere - your computer, your mobile...

www.elevenforum.com

Unlink Account and PC from OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will you how to remove an account and unlink your PC from OneDrive for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere - your computer, your mobile device, and...

www.elevenforum.com

davidm71 · Jul 7, 2023

Yeah but by the time you go to disable those folders it has already started.

Dru2 · Jul 7, 2023

davidm71 said:
Yeah but by the time you go to disable those folders it has already started.

If you read Brink's tutorial (linked to in post #2) you might learn how to properly stop the app from doing what you don't want it to do.... sync files

Good luck.

davidm71 · Jul 7, 2023

I read it but the problem still stands that a new pc will immediately start syncing until you select unlink this device or deselect backup folders the first time around.

TechnoMage2021 · Jul 7, 2023

During the initial install of Windows, there are a number of things, that I REMOVE from Windows as a critical part of my installations. Cortana, WUDO, and One Drive are just three. Then I never have any problems from any of them.
Windows 11 is really a pretty nice OS, once I get rid of the MS Nasties!

Getting rid of things in Windows that bug you, is as simple as getting a hair cut.

Cheers Mates,
TM

davidm71 · Jul 7, 2023

Maybe I have it backwards or don't understand the process 100% but after the OOB experience you land on your desktop and what do you see? I see onedrive cloud icons littered all over the place. So yes I can remove it or stop it but for like 60 seconds I have to put up with a mess I would rather not see. Maybe I got it wrong. Idk.

Brink · Jul 7, 2023

davidm71 said:
Maybe I have it backwards or don't understand the process 100% but after the OOB experience you land on your desktop and what do you see? I see onedrive cloud icons littered all over the place. So yes I can remove it or stop it but for like 60 seconds I have to put up with a mess I would rather not see. Maybe I got it wrong. Idk.

You could do what's in post #6 to set up a local account instead of Microsoft account during a clean install. This will let you land on your desktop without OneDrive running or syncing so you can disable OneDrive without it already syncing.

davidm71 · Jul 7, 2023

Your right. I wasn't aware of step 16 bypass. Going to quote it here for sake of redundancy:

If you don't have an Internet connection and none of the above worked for you, then press the Shift + F10 keys to open a command prompt. Copy and paste the OOBE\BYPASSNRO command into the command prompt, and press Enter. This will restart the computer, and take you back to step 13. You should then be able to click/tap on I don't have internet when you get back to this step, and go to step 21D to set up a local account. (see bottom screenshot)

If the OOBE\BYPASSNRO command doesn't work for you, then copy and paste the MSOOBE\BYPASSNRO command into the command prompt, and press Enter. This will restart the computer, and take you back to step 13. You should then be able to click/tap on I don't have internet when you get back to this step, and go to step 21D to set up a local account. (see bottom screenshot)

Will do it this way from now on!