OneDrive: How to stop syncing Desktop, Documents and Photos from a computer

Owned by Douglas 2brown
Last updated: Feb 27, 2023
3 min read

The OneDrive for Business application, by default, will sync your RRU computer Desktop, Documents and Photos to the cloud. The purpose is to ensure that all RRU files are backed up to the cloud even if they are stored in a local location.

Before you consider turning off the backup

There are a couple of things to consider before you turn off the backup of the Desktop, Documents and/or Photos:

  • If you install the RRU OneDrive on your personal computer, the default is NOT to upload the files to the cloud. This setting is only enabled on RRU computers by default.

  • The data is still only accessible by you . (Although RRU IT administrators can access the data technically, as with the Z; drive data, they cannot do so without approval from a manager/Human Resources and only in situations when there is no way for you to access the files yourself (I.E. After you leave, or are away on sick leave).

  • The data is stored in Canada, in Canadian Data stores, as per BC privacy laws

  • This is a protection for you. This allows you not only to have a backup of your data, but provides access to multiple previous versions to allow you to undue changes to a document



If you do not want these files to sync, please do the following:

  • The files might be in the cloud already, so first you need to download the files

    • Find the folder you want (desktop, documents, photos)

    • Right-click on the folder and select Always keep on this device

    • Monitor the transfer from the OneDrive icon or in the folder.  Once the sync is complete, all the files should have a green checkmark (

       ) under status. Shortcuts never get uploaded, so they will have always have a no-upload (

      ) icon

  • Once the files are local, you can now turn off the backup

    • Right-click on the OneDrive icon (in your task bar near your time) and select Settings

    • Select the Backup tab

    • Click Manage Backup

    • Click the Stop backup under the items that you do not want synced to the cloud

    • Confirm you want to make the change

  • The files are no longer uploaded to the cloud

Shortcuts are NOT saved to OneDrive

Any shortcut icons you have on your computer will not be uploaded to OneDrive online as per RRU group policy. We apologize any inconvenience this may cause.



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