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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchYou can stop OneDrive from backing up Desktop, Documents, or Pictures without deleting your files. In Windows, open OneDrive’s Sync and backup settings, select Manage backup, turn off the folder, and choose where its existing files should remain. The choice matters: depending on what you select, files may remain only on your PC or only in OneDrive.
Before turning off folder backup
- Check that the files you want to keep are present and OneDrive has finished syncing.
- If a file is online-only, download it before trying to move it. In File Explorer, right-click the file or folder and choose Always keep on this device; wait for it to finish downloading. Microsoft notes that cloud-only files can prevent the move when you stop backup. Microsoft’s folder-backup instructions
- Decide whether the existing files should stay on the PC, stay in OneDrive, or be kept in both places using a separate copy. Stopping backup does not create an additional backup elsewhere.
Turn off OneDrive folder backup in Windows
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows notification area. If it is not visible, select the hidden-icons arrow.
- Select the OneDrive Help & Settings icon, then Settings.
- Open Sync and backup > Manage backup.
- Turn off the toggle for Desktop, Documents, or Pictures.
- Read the prompt and choose where the existing files should remain, then confirm.
Microsoft’s Windows guidance describes two outcomes: keep the files only in OneDrive, which removes them from the PC, or keep them only on the PC, which removes them from OneDrive. Choose based on where you want the files to live—not simply on whether you want backup to stop. If you want them only on the PC, confirm the local files are present before deleting or moving anything else. Microsoft’s folder-backup instructions
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After backup stops, new files added to that device folder will not be backed up by OneDrive.
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- Select the OneDrive icon in the menu bar.
- Open Preferences > Backup > Manage backup.
- Select Stop backup for the folder and confirm.
Microsoft says files already backed up remain in OneDrive and no longer appear in the Mac’s device folder. Use the Where are my files shortcut to find their OneDrive location. To have local copies again, move the files from OneDrive back into the device folder manually. Files newly added to that device folder will not be backed up after you stop. Microsoft’s folder-backup instructions
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Know which OneDrive setting you need
Several controls can change what you see on a device, but they do different things:
- Manage backup: stops OneDrive’s backup of a known folder such as Desktop, Documents, or Pictures. Windows presents a choice for where existing files should remain.
- Choose folders: controls which OneDrive folders sync to a particular device. Unchecking a folder removes it from that computer but leaves its contents online; it does not restore or preserve a local copy. Microsoft’s Choose folders guidance
- Files On-Demand: lets you access OneDrive files without downloading all of them. It affects local storage and file availability, not whether a known folder is backed up. Microsoft’s Files On-Demand guidance
If files disappeared or the setting is unavailable
Restore files deleted by mistake
Do not delete files as a substitute for stopping folder backup. OneDrive sync can propagate changes—including deletion—between the synced folder and OneDrive.com. If you deleted items accidentally, go to the OneDrive website, open the Recycle bin, and restore them. Microsoft’s OneDrive restore guidance
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Check for administrator controls
On a work or school device, an IT administrator may control whether folder backup is available. If the setting is missing or your change is blocked, contact your organization’s administrator rather than changing unrelated system policies. Microsoft’s folder-backup instructions
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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