To disable OneDrive automatic backups in Windows 10 and 11, you need to add two registry keys that prevent OneDrive from backing up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders. Open Registry Editor, navigate to the OneDrive policy paths, create the required keys and DWORD values, then restart your PC.
Quick Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter to open Registry Editor - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive - If the OneDrive key doesn’t exist, right-click the Microsoft folder, select New > Key, and name it OneDrive
- Right-click in the empty space on the right, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it KFMBlockOptIn
- Double-click KFMBlockOptIn and set the value data to 1, then click OK
- Now navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive(same location) and create a second DWORD value named KFMBlockOptOut with a value of 1 - Close Registry Editor and restart your PC
Why Does OneDrive Automatically Back Up Your Folders?
OneDrive has a feature called Known Folder Move (KFM) that automatically redirects your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to sync with OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft pushes this feature pretty aggressively — sometimes it kicks in without you even realizing it, especially if you’re signed into Windows with a Microsoft account.
From my time working in computer repair, this was one of the most common complaints I heard from customers and this issue also annoys me personally as well. Files would disappear from where they expected them, folder paths would change, and some programs that relied on fixed file paths would start acting up. It’s a messy situation, and most people just want their files to stay where they put them.
The registry method in this guide uses Group Policy-equivalent keys to block OneDrive from ever prompting users to opt into folder backup (KFMBlockOptIn) and to prevent it from moving folders back if it was previously enabled (KFMBlockOptOut). This is a clean, permanent fix at the system level.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter. If Windows asks for permission via UAC, click Yes. The Registry Editor will open — this is where Windows stores low-level configuration settings for the system and apps.
Step 2: Navigate to the OneDrive Policy Path
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive. You can click through each folder in the left panel, or paste the path directly into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor window and press Enter.
If the OneDrive key doesn’t exist under the Microsoft folder, you’ll need to create it. Right-click on the Microsoft folder, hover over New, and select Key. Name the new key OneDrive exactly as shown and press Enter.
Step 3: Create the KFMBlockOptIn Value
With the OneDrive key selected, right-click on the empty white space in the right panel. Hover over New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this value KFMBlockOptIn and press Enter. Then double-click it to open it and set the value data to 1, then click OK.
This registry value tells Windows to block OneDrive from prompting users to opt in to the Known Folder Move feature. Setting it to 1 disables that prompt entirely.
Step 4: Create the KFMBlockOptOut Value
Still in the same OneDrive key, right-click the empty space again, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it KFMBlockOptOut. Double-click it and set the value data to 1, then click OK.
This second value prevents OneDrive from redirecting your folders back to the cloud if folder backup was previously active. Both values together give you complete control over OneDrive’s folder syncing behavior.
Step 5: Restart Your PC
Once you’ve created both DWORD values, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. The changes need a reboot to take effect. After the restart, OneDrive will no longer automatically back up or prompt to back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders.
Want a Faster Way to Manage OneDrive and Other Windows Settings?
If digging through the registry isn’t your thing, I built a free tool called Winhance — the Windows Enhancement Utility that lets you manage settings like privacy options and a whole lot more from a clean, easy-to-use interface — no registry editing required. It’s free and open source, so you can see exactly what it’s doing under the hood.
How Does This Differ from Just Turning Off OneDrive?
Disabling OneDrive automatic backups is not the same as turning OneDrive off completely. These registry keys specifically block the Known Folder Move (KFM) feature — the part that moves your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures into OneDrive. OneDrive itself can still run if you want to use it for manual cloud storage.
If you want to go a step further and stop OneDrive from running at all, I’ve also covered how to fully turn off OneDrive on Windows 11, which walks through quitting it, removing it from startup, and even uninstalling it entirely.
Common Issues & Solutions
Problem: The OneDrive key doesn’t exist in the registry
Solution: You need to create it manually. Right-click the Microsoft folder under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft, select New > Key, and name it OneDrive. Then proceed to create the DWORD values inside it.
Problem: Registry Editor won’t open or access is denied
Solution: Make sure you’re opening the Run dialog and typing regedit — don’t try to run it from a standard Command Prompt. If access is still denied, check whether your Windows account has administrator privileges.
Problem: OneDrive still prompts to back up folders after the restart
Solution: Double-check that both values — KFMBlockOptIn and KFMBlockOptOut — are set to a value data of 1. If either one is missing or set to 0, the block won’t work properly.
Problem: Files are already in OneDrive and I want them back on my local drive
Solution: This registry fix stops future backups but doesn’t move files already in OneDrive back to your local drive. To do that, you’ll need to open OneDrive settings, go to the Sync and backup tab, and stop the backup for each folder manually — it will ask whether you want to keep the files local.
FAQ
Will disabling OneDrive backups delete my files?
No. These registry changes only prevent OneDrive from automatically moving or syncing your folders going forward. Any files already on your PC or already in OneDrive stay exactly where they are. Nothing gets deleted.
Does this work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, this registry method works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The OneDrive policy registry path is the same on both versions, so the steps are identical regardless of which version you’re running.
Can I undo this if I change my mind?
Yes. To re-enable OneDrive folder backup, go back to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive in Registry Editor and either delete the KFMBlockOptIn and KFMBlockOptOut values or set their value data back to 0. Restart your PC and OneDrive will be able to prompt for folder backup again.
Why use the registry instead of OneDrive’s own settings?
OneDrive’s built-in settings only stop the backup temporarily in some cases — Windows or OneDrive updates can sometimes re-enable it. The registry method applies a policy-level block that persists across updates and is much harder for OneDrive to override on its own.
What folders does OneDrive’s automatic backup affect?
OneDrive’s Known Folder Move feature targets three specific folders: Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. These are the folders it tries to redirect to cloud storage. Other folders on your PC are not affected by this feature.
