OneDrive: Prevent auto upload

Since Windows 8.1, all new documents and photos are automatically uploaded to OneDrive in the cloud. We'll tell you how to prevent the upload here.

Prevent auto-upload of documents to OneDrive

The auto upload to OneDrive is practical, but not recommended for many documents with sensitive data or private photos. You can deactivate the function as soon as you set up Windows. You can also adjust the sync settings later:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the lower right corner of the notification area.
2. There, click on "Settings".
3. In the "Save automatically" tab you can set the storage locations for documents and images separately. To do this, click on the list to the right.
4. The "Only this PC" option enables you to save files only on the PC. The data is not uploaded and is only available on the current computer.
5. The "OneDrive" option ensures that all your files are automatically uploaded to the OneDrive cloud.

In the next practical tip, you will learn how to deactivate OneDrive at startup.