Top 4 Ways to Stop Windows 10 From Saving Files to OneDrive

Microsoft’s OneDrive is a cloud storage service built into Windows. Also, this is why you see Microsoft OneDrive in many places on your Windows 10 computer, especially when saving your files. If Windows stores your files in OneDrive instead of saving them locally on your computer bothers you, we’ve got a few fixes ready for you.

Cloud storage apps are cool and easy to use until they are forced down your throat. What if a person doesn’t want to use it? Or what if they’re happy to use a different app like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.? Fortunately, you can prevent OneDrive from taking over your computer.

Here are four ways to store files on your computer instead of OneDrive.

1. Using OneDrive settings

On most Windows 10 computers, OneDrive is preinstalled. And this is the default save location for files in your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folder. This is the reason for the question that comes to your mind: why are my files automatically saved to OneDrive? You should change this behavior in OneDrive settings and prevent it from creating a backup of your folders.

Point: Find out whether you should use OneDrive on a Windows PC or not.

To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Right click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar and select Settings.

If you don’t see the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, open Windows Search and search for OneDrive. Click on it. The OneDrive icon will appear in the taskbar.

Pro tip: Use the Windows key + the keyboard shortcut S to quickly open the search.

2nd step: In OneDrive settings, go to the Backup tab. Click Manage Backup and uncheck the folders you don’t want to add to OneDrive. If your screenshots also go to OneDrive, uncheck the box next to Screenshots. Click Ok to save the changes.

Point: If you like to put your screenshots in OneDrive and its notification tone bothers you, learn how to turn off the sound of the OneDrive screenshot.

4. Uninstall OneDrive

If you don’t like OneDrive at all, you can uninstall it completely from your computer. To do this, go to Settings> Applications on your computer. Search for Microsoft OneDrive. Press the Uninstall button.

Once OneDrive is unlinked or uninstalled from your computer, you can access your existing data by signing in to OneDrive.com from any browser. If you regret your decision, you can reinstall OneDrive on your computer.

Bonus: Cannot save files to computer folders

After following the above methods, if you have any problem saving your files to your computer, you need to reset the location of the folders like Desktop, Documents, and Pictures to your computer.

To do this, open Windows Explorer. Use the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut to open it. Right click on the Desktop folder. Select the properties.

Pro tip: Check out the full list of useful keyboard shortcuts for Windows 10.

Go to the Location tab and click on Restore Default. Click OK to save the changes.