To stop Windows 11 from backing up a folder to OneDrive, open the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, choose Help & Settings > Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup, then turn off the folder you want to stop backing up. Read the location choice carefully: existing files can remain only in OneDrive or only on your PC. If you need cloud-only files on the PC, download them before switching off backup.
Turn off backup for a specific folder
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Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows notification area. If it is not visible, check the hidden icons menu.
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Choose Help & Settings > Settings.
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Open Sync and backup > Manage backup.
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Turn off the toggle for the folder you no longer want OneDrive to back up.
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When OneDrive asks where to keep existing files, select the location you want: only in OneDrive or only on this PC. Follow the prompt to finish.
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Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive | USB 3.0 (STGX2000400)- 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.
Microsoft’s OneDrive folder-backup guidance notes that new files added to the folder after backup stops will not be backed up by OneDrive.
Before you switch it off: check for cloud-only files
With Files On-Demand, a file can appear in File Explorer without being downloaded to the PC. Microsoft warns that some cloud-only files may not be moved as part of stopping folder backup. If you want those files stored locally, download them first.
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.
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In File Explorer, open the folder you plan to stop backing up.
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Right-click cloud-only files or folders you need available on the PC.
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WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0020BBK-WESN- High capacity in a small enclosure – The small, lightweight design offers up to 6TB* capacity, making WD Elements portable hard drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
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Select Always keep on this device and wait for the download to finish before changing the backup setting.
See Microsoft’s Files On-Demand instructions for how online-only and locally available files work.
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.
Choose the control that matches your goal
Turning off backup for one folder is not the same as pausing all sync, disconnecting OneDrive, or changing which cloud folders are downloaded to this PC.
| Control | What it changes | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Manage backup | Stops OneDrive folder backup for the folder you select and asks where existing files should remain. | You want to stop backing up a particular PC folder. Microsoft support |
| Pause syncing | Temporarily pauses OneDrive syncing. | You need a short break from syncing, such as while a connection is slow or syncing is inconvenient. Microsoft support |
| Unlink this PC | Stops syncing the OneDrive account on this computer. | You want to disconnect the account from this PC, rather than change backup for one folder. Microsoft support |
| Choose folders | Controls which existing OneDrive folders sync to a particular computer. Microsoft says an unchecked folder is removed from that computer but remains online. | You want to manage which cloud folders appear on this PC, not stop backing up a Windows folder. Microsoft support |
| Files On-Demand | Changes whether files are downloaded locally or remain online-only; it does not turn folder backup on or off. | You want to manage disk space or make selected files available offline. Microsoft support |
Windows Backup is a related but broader settings page
Windows 11 also has Settings > Accounts > Windows backup, where you can manage folders synced to OneDrive. That page includes other backup choices, such as settings and apps. For the direct folder-backup off switch, use OneDrive’s Manage backup page. Microsoft describes the Windows page in its Windows Backup guidance.
Best Value
- 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.
If the backup setting is unavailable
Work or school administrators may restrict OneDrive backup settings. If the folder toggle is missing or cannot be changed on a managed PC, ask your organization’s IT administrator which settings are controlled by policy. Microsoft’s support pages do not specify one universal recovery step for administrator-managed restrictions.
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