MS Account on Windows only using my Gmail account?


win11freak

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Now that I have learned that its possible to use a Gmail email address to create a MS Account this would lead to my question below.

Since I already use mostly my Google account services like my Gmail email, Google Drive, how can I prevent my Microsoft account using the Gmail email address to NOT automatically sync or sign in to Onedrive and MS Office apps right after I switch to my Microsoft account using only my Gmail email address?

I only want to use this to only sign-in to Windows only.

I prefer some screen shots if possible on how to achieve this to prevent automatic syncing to Onedrive, Edge, and Office.

Thanks
 

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Windows 11 Pro 22H2
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Windows 11 Pro 22H2
Even if using a third party email address as your MS account, you would still have to
1. Turn off folder backup syncing to Onedrive
2. Unlink Account and PC from Onedrive
3. Prevent Onedrive from auto-starting OR uninstall Onedrive

Regarding Office, you have to alter settings in EACH office app to save to computer by default

Instuctions have been listed here many times but here they are again. There are no screenshots in the written steps but all of Brink's tutorials referred to do have screenshots.
--------------------------------------------------------

How To PROPERLY Remove OneDrive from Windows 11

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, Windows automatically sets Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and Videos user folders to use OneDrive as their default storage location.These folders are NOT on your system drive.

If you don’t want to use OneDrive, you’ll need to carefully follow the steps below. Skipping or rearranging them can cause issues with your files and folders.

Note 1: If you use Office 365, Office 2019, 2021 or 2024 user, you need to change options in each Office app such as Word and Excel to save to your computer by default. Currently files created in these apps default to Onedrive. Open a document, select File>Options> Check “save to computer by default” and choose a save location. Do the same for each app.. Note, this disables the autosave feature in these apps as autosave works only for files in Onedrive.

Note 2: Whether this will work as written depends on what steps were taken in your prior attempts to get rid of Onedrive. A user’s incorrect actions can have unwanted results so other steps may be required. Nevertheless, your files should still be in OD until you manually delete them.

Important:
These instructions assume that OneDrive is still installed on your PC.
If you’ve already uninstalled it, for this procedure to work, you will need to first reinstall OneDrive by downloading it from Microsoft’s official site.

  • sign in to OneDrive if not already signed in, and then continue with the tutorial.


STEP 1: Turn Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing

First, you need to stop OneDrive from automatically syncing your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Videos folders. This guide will also help you get your files back on to your local drive.
Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing in Windows 11

You know this was successful by right clicking on a user folder>select Properties>General tab. The folder location should now be C:\users\yourusername\foldername

Only If the folders don’t automatically return to their default local location under C:\Users\YourUserName in step 1:Use the tutorials below (Option Three) to manually restore the default location of each folder and manually move your files from Onedrive into it.
Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11 |


STEP 2: Unlink Account & PC from OneDrive

After syncing is turned off, disconnect your account and computer from OneDrive:
Unlink account & PC from Onedrive.

Once unlinked, your files remain in OneDrive until you delete them online at Onedrive on the Web. Microsoft OneDrive
__________________________________________________________

STEP 3: Prevent OneDrive from Starting Automatically or Uninstall Onedrive

At this point, you can either disable OneDrive from autostart or uninstall it.

Option 1- disable Onedrive from auto-starting. This is my preference since Microsoft can reinstall Onedrive through Windows or Office updates. This setting tends to hold during those updates.

  1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
  2. Go to the Startup Apps list in left pane. (Hover you mouse over the little icons until you see the one named Startup Apps)
  3. Find OneDrive.exe, right-click it, and select Disable
If you want to remove OD from file explorer navigation pane Add or Remove OneDrive in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11

If you want to hide OD in the task tray, Settings > Personalization > Taskbar "Other system tray icons". Find Onedrive and toggle it off. Alternatively, you can quickly hide an icon by dragging it from the taskbar onto the upward-pointing arrow that opens the hidden icons menu.

Once you re-start, OneDrive will no longer launch at startup and the only place you will see it is in your start menu.

Option 2 - Uninstall OneDrive

Method 1 – Using Revo Uninstaller (recommended):

Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware Portable.
  • Open Revo and look under Windows Apps to find OneDrive.
  • Uninstall it using Revo, then run its scan feature. Check all the leftover files and registry entries Revo finds and remove.
Method 2 – Built-in Windows option:
You can also uninstall OneDrive through Windows settings, but this will leave some registry entries behind. Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11
________________________________________________________________________
Following this sequence ensures your files are safe and your folders return to their proper locations, while OneDrive is disabled or completely removed from your system.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
NOTE: I strongly suggest you make a system image first.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Thanks.

I can even use Group Policy for most of the steps mentioned above as well.

But still haven't decided yet whether to stay on a Local account or Microsoft account.

Just preparing in case I make the jump to using a MS Account.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 22H2
OS
Windows 11 Pro 22H2

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