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To stop OneDrive briefly, pause syncing; to stop only certain folders, change the folder selection; to disconnect this PC, unlink it. If you want to keep files in the cloud but save disk space, use Free up space instead of deleting them. Deleting a file from your OneDrive folder can delete it from both the PC and OneDrive, so choose the action that matches which copy you want to keep.
Choose the right way to stop OneDrive
| Your goal | Use | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Stop syncing for a short time | Pause syncing | Temporarily stops syncing; it resumes automatically. |
| Stop syncing particular folders to this PC | Choose folders | Changes which folders sync locally; it does not delete those folders from OneDrive online. |
| Disconnect this computer from OneDrive | Unlink this PC | Ends the connection between this PC and the account. Cloud files remain accessible online. |
| Keep cloud files but reclaim PC storage | Free up space | Makes selected files online-only rather than deleting them. |
| Keep a local copy and stop it syncing | Move the file outside the OneDrive folder | Keeps it on the PC outside the synced folder; it is no longer in that OneDrive location. |
These options affect different things: the sync relationship, which folders are stored locally, or whether a file has a local copy. If OneDrive labels differ on your version, look for the same options in the OneDrive settings or taskbar menu.
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Pause or quit OneDrive temporarily
Pausing stops sync activity for a set period and then resumes it automatically. Quitting closes the OneDrive app; it does not delete files.
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- Select Pause syncing, then choose 2 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours.
To close the app instead, open the same menu and select Quit OneDrive. Start the OneDrive app again when you want syncing to resume.
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Stop syncing selected folders to this PC
Use folder selection when you want some OneDrive folders on this computer but not others. Unselecting a folder stops it syncing to this PC; it does not remove the folder from your online OneDrive account.
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, then open Settings.
- Go to Account and select Choose folders.
- Uncheck the folders you do not want synced to this computer, then select OK.
Unlink this PC from your OneDrive account
Unlinking disconnects the computer; it is not a command to erase your cloud files or close your OneDrive account. Microsoft Support says, “You won’t lose files or data by unlinking OneDrive from your computer.” You can still access cloud files by signing in at OneDrive.com. Keep a separate copy of anything you specifically need on the PC before making major changes; unlinking is not a backup.
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- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
- Choose Help & Settings > Settings > Account > Unlink this PC.
- Confirm by selecting Unlink account.
If you link the PC again later, changes made while it was disconnected sync after relinking completes. Unlink first if you need to break the sync relationship before deliberately changing files, so you do not assume a deletion is local-only.
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Files On-Demand lets a file remain in OneDrive online while using little or no local storage until you open it. If Files On-Demand is not enabled, turn it on in OneDrive settings first.
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- In File Explorer, right-click the OneDrive file or folder you want to keep online-only.
- Select Free up space.
The item remains in OneDrive. Opening an online-only file downloads it to the PC so you can use it. The OneDrive status icons help distinguish the choices:
- Blue cloud: online-only; it downloads when opened.
- Green check: locally available.
- Green circle with a white check: Always keep on this device; it is available offline and uses local disk space.
To make a file available offline, right-click it in File Explorer and choose Always keep on this device. Use Free up space when the aim is to retain the cloud copy while releasing local storage—not to delete the file.
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Keep a file on the PC but remove it from OneDrive
Files inside the OneDrive folder are synced. Deleting one there can remove it from both the computer and OneDrive. If you want the file to remain on the PC but no longer be part of OneDrive, move it to a location outside the OneDrive folder. If you want it to stay in OneDrive but not occupy local storage, use Files On-Demand or stop syncing its folder instead.
Recover a file deleted by mistake
Check the Recycle bin on the OneDrive website. Recovery may be possible if the file is still there, but it is not guaranteed. Do not empty the OneDrive Recycle bin while you may need to restore files; Microsoft warns that items removed from the bin cannot be recovered.
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For an accidental bulk deletion that is still in progress, Microsoft advises letting the operation finish, then undoing it or restoring the files from the OneDrive website’s Recycle bin. Avoid making additional changes until you know which copies you need to recover.
Quick Recap
Before making a major change
- Decide whether you want to keep the local copy, the cloud copy, or both.
- If you need an independent copy, copy the files to another location and verify that they open before deleting or moving anything.
- Do not delete the OneDrive folder as a way to stop syncing while expecting cloud files to be unaffected; unlink the PC or change sync selection instead.
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