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How to Disable OneDrive Automatic Backups on Windows 10 & 11 (3 Methods)

Tutorial on disabling OneDrive automatic backups on Windows 11 and 10 using Registry Editor

To disable OneDrive automatic backups on Windows 10 and 11, open OneDrive’s settings and stop the backup for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures — or apply a registry policy at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive by adding two DWORD values, KFMBlockOptIn and KFMBlockOptOut, both set to 1. This blocks the Known Folder Move feature only — OneDrive itself stays installed and usable for manual file syncing.

Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: May 18, 2026

How to Disable OneDrive Automatic Backups on Windows 10 & 11

Key Takeaways

  • OneDrive automatic backups use a feature called Known Folder Move (KFM) that redirects your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders into OneDrive cloud storage, often without an obvious prompt.
  • Disabling automatic backups does not uninstall OneDrive — the app stays on your PC and you can still sync files manually by dropping them into the OneDrive folder.
  • The Settings UI method is the easiest fix for one PC, but the change can be silently re-enabled by future Windows or OneDrive updates.
  • The Group Policy and Registry methods are permanent — they apply a policy-level block using KFMBlockOptIn and KFMBlockOptOut that survives updates.
  • Files already in OneDrive stay where they are — these methods only stop future backups. To pull existing files back to your local drive, you have to stop each folder backup from the OneDrive app and choose to keep them local.

Quick Steps

  1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray, open Settings > Sync and backup > Manage backup, and turn off the toggle for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.
  2. For a permanent block, open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) and enable Prevent users from redirecting their Windows known folders to their PC and Prevent users from moving their Windows known folders to OneDrive under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > OneDrive.
  3. On Windows Home (no Group Policy Editor), apply the same block via Registry Editor by creating KFMBlockOptIn and KFMBlockOptOut DWORD values at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive, both set to 1.
  4. Restart your PC for the policy to take effect.

In This Guide

This guide covers three different ways to disable OneDrive automatic backups, in order from easiest to most permanent:

Why Does OneDrive Automatically Back Up Your Folders?

OneDrive uses a feature called Known Folder Move (KFM) to redirect your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders into OneDrive cloud storage. Microsoft pushes this aggressively — it often kicks in during Windows setup or after an update, especially when you are signed into Windows with a Microsoft account.

From my time running a computer repair shop, this was one of the most common complaints I heard. Files would disappear from where customers expected them, folder paths would change, and any program that pointed to fixed file paths would start acting up. It is a confusing situation, and most people just want their files to stay where they put them.

The Group Policy and Registry methods below apply two policy values — KFMBlockOptIn (which blocks OneDrive from ever prompting the user to opt in) and KFMBlockOptOut (which prevents OneDrive from undoing the block later). Setting both to 1 is the same fix Microsoft documents for IT administrators rolling this out across a network, so it persists across Windows and OneDrive updates.

Method 1: Disable OneDrive Backup from the Settings UI

This is the fastest way to stop OneDrive from backing up your folders on a single PC. It does not require admin privileges, and the change takes effect immediately. The downside is that the setting can be silently re-enabled by Windows updates or by signing in with a new Microsoft account, which is why I recommend the Group Policy or Registry method for a permanent fix.

  1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom-right of the taskbar). If you don’t see it, click the small upward arrow to expand hidden icons.
  2. Click the gear icon in the top right of the OneDrive panel, then select Settings.
  3. In the OneDrive settings window, go to the Sync and backup tab on the left.
  4. Click Manage backup.
  5. Turn off the toggle for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.
  6. When OneDrive asks whether you want to keep the files on your PC or remove them from your device, choose Keep on this device — this copies the files from the cloud folder back to your normal local folders.
  7. Click Save changes.

Note: If you want to stop OneDrive entirely instead of just the backup feature, follow my full guide on how to turn off OneDrive on Windows 11, which covers quitting it, removing it from startup, and uninstalling it.

Method 2: Disable OneDrive Backup with Group Policy

If you are running Windows 10 or 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, Group Policy Editor is the cleanest way to apply a permanent block. It writes the same policy keys to the registry that Method 3 uses, but the UI is easier to read and there is no chance of typoing a value name. Group Policy Editor is not available on Windows Home — Home users should use Method 3 instead.

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
  2. In the left pane, navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive.
  3. In the right pane, find the policy named Prevent users from moving their Windows known folders to OneDrive. Double-click it, set it to Enabled, and click OK.
  4. Find the policy named Prevent users from redirecting their Windows known folders to their PC. Double-click it, set it to Enabled, and click OK.
  5. Close Group Policy Editor and restart your PC.

After the restart, OneDrive will no longer be able to prompt you to back up Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, and the policy will hold through future Windows and OneDrive updates.

Method 3: Disable OneDrive Backup with Registry Editor

Windows Home does not include Group Policy Editor, but you can apply the exact same policy values directly in the registry. This is the recommended permanent fix for Home users. The two DWORD values KFMBlockOptIn and KFMBlockOptOut live under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive — they are the same registry keys that Group Policy writes when you enable the policies in Method 2.

Tip: Always back up your registry before making changes. In Registry Editor, click File > Export, choose All under Export range, and save the file somewhere safe. If anything goes wrong, double-click that file to restore the previous state.

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter. If Windows prompts you for permission via UAC, click Yes.

Step 2: Navigate to the OneDrive Policy Key

Copy and paste the following path into the Registry Editor address bar at the top of the window, then press Enter:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive

If the OneDrive key does not exist under Policies\Microsoft, right-click the Microsoft folder, hover over New, select Key, and name it OneDrive exactly as shown.

Step 3: Create the KFMBlockOptIn DWORD Value

With the OneDrive key selected, right-click anywhere in the empty white space on the right side. Hover over New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value KFMBlockOptIn and press Enter. Double-click it, set the Value data to 1, and click OK.

This value tells Windows to block OneDrive from prompting users to opt in to the Known Folder Move feature. Setting it to 1 stops that prompt from ever appearing.

Step 4: Create the KFMBlockOptOut DWORD 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, set the Value data to 1, and click OK.

This second value prevents OneDrive from redirecting your folders back to the cloud if Known Folder Move was previously enabled. Both values together give you full policy-level control.

Step 5: Restart Your PC

Close Registry Editor and restart your computer. The policy needs a reboot to take effect. After the restart, OneDrive will no longer prompt you to back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders, and it will not redirect them on its own.

Faster Option: Apply Both Registry Values with One Command

If you would rather skip the manual registry steps, you can apply both values from an Administrator Command Prompt or Admin PowerShell with a single reg add command for each value. Right-click the Start button, open Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and run:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive" /v KFMBlockOptIn /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive" /v KFMBlockOptOut /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

The /f flag forces the values to be written without prompting for confirmation, and the OneDrive key will be created automatically if it does not exist. Restart your PC after running both commands.

Want a Faster Way to Manage OneDrive and Other Windows Settings?

If digging through the registry or Group Policy is not your thing, I built a free tool called Winhance — the Windows Enhancement Utility that handles settings like OneDrive backup, telemetry, advertising ID, and a whole lot more from a clean interface. It applies the same policy-level registry changes covered in this guide without you needing to touch the registry yourself. Winhance is free and open source, so you can see exactly what it changes under the hood.

Common Issues and Solutions

Problem: The OneDrive key does not exist in the registry.
Solution: You need to create it. Right-click the Microsoft folder under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft, select New > Key, and name it OneDrive. Then create the DWORD values inside it as described in Method 3.

Problem: Registry Editor will not open or access is denied.
Solution: Open regedit from the Run dialog (Windows + R) rather than from a standard Command Prompt. If access is still denied, your Windows account does not have administrator privileges — sign in to an admin account, or have one applied to your user.

Problem: OneDrive still prompts to back up folders after the restart.
Solution: Double-check that both values — KFMBlockOptIn and KFMBlockOptOut — exist under the OneDrive key and are set to 1. If either is missing or set to 0, the block will not apply.

Problem: My files are already in OneDrive and I want them back on my local drive.
Solution: These methods stop future backups but do not pull existing files back. Open OneDrive settings, go to the Sync and backup tab, click Manage backup, and stop the backup for each folder — OneDrive will ask whether to keep the files on your PC or remove them. Choose Keep on this device.

Related Guides for Cleaning Up Windows

While you are tidying up Windows, here are a few related registry-based guides that pair well with disabling OneDrive backups:

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling OneDrive automatic backups delete my OneDrive files?

No. Disabling the Known Folder Move policy only stops OneDrive from moving or syncing your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders going forward. Any files already in your OneDrive cloud storage stay there, and any files on your local drive stay where they are. Nothing gets deleted.

Can I still sync files to OneDrive manually after disabling automatic backups?

Yes. The policy only blocks the automatic Known Folder Move feature. OneDrive itself stays installed and signed in, so you can still drop files into the OneDrive folder under C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive to sync them manually. To stop OneDrive entirely, follow my guide on how to turn off OneDrive on Windows 11.

Does this affect Documents, Desktop, and Pictures folders that are already backed up?

The policy stops future backups but does not move existing folders back to their original locations. To pull a folder back to your local drive, open OneDrive settings, go to Sync and backup > Manage backup, and stop the backup for that folder. OneDrive will ask whether to keep the files on your PC — choose Keep on this device.

How do I re-enable OneDrive automatic backups later?

To undo the registry method, open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive in Registry Editor and either delete the KFMBlockOptIn and KFMBlockOptOut values or set both to 0. To undo the Group Policy method, open gpedit.msc and set both OneDrive policies back to Not Configured. Restart your PC and OneDrive will be able to prompt for folder backup again.

Does this work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes. The Settings UI, Group Policy, and Registry methods all work identically on Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, and 25H2). The OneDrive policy path is the same on both versions, so every step in this guide applies regardless of which edition you are running — with the one caveat that Group Policy Editor (Method 2) is only available on Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Why use the registry instead of OneDrive’s own settings?

OneDrive’s built-in setting is per-user and can be silently re-enabled by Windows updates, OneDrive updates, or signing in with a new Microsoft account. The Group Policy and Registry methods apply a system-wide policy block that persists across updates and is much harder for OneDrive to override on its own.

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