Inadvertently Copied Desktop To OneDrive

Follow these steps in order to untangle the Desktop/OneDrive mix‑up and then close OneDrive.

1. Stop backing up Desktop to OneDrive

This prevents Desktop from syncing and keeps it local going forward.

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area.
2. Select Help & Settings > Settings.
3. Go to Sync and backup > Manage backup (wording may vary slightly).
4. Turn off (toggle off) backup for Desktop (and any other folders you don’t want backed up, such as Documents or Pictures).
   • Note: After this, new files added to the Desktop folder on the PC will no longer be backed up to OneDrive.

If Desktop backup is already off, leave it that way and continue.

2. Move OneDrive content into a folder on the desktop

This copies or moves the files out of OneDrive into a local folder.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. In the left pane, select your OneDrive (for example, “OneDrive – Personal”).
3. Create a new folder on your desktop where everything from OneDrive will be stored (for example, C:\Users\<name>\Desktop\Old OneDrive).
4. In the OneDrive folder, select the files and folders you want to move.
   • To move them (remove from OneDrive and place locally): drag them from the OneDrive folder in the right pane to the new desktop folder in the left pane or right‑click > Cut, then right‑click the desktop folder > Paste.
   • To keep a copy in OneDrive and also have a local copy: right‑click > Copy in OneDrive, then right‑click the desktop folder > Paste.

This uses standard File Explorer behavior for moving/copying between OneDrive and local folders.

3. Remove Desktop content from OneDrive (if needed)

If the Desktop folder itself exists under OneDrive and you no longer want it there:

1. In File Explorer, under OneDrive, locate the Desktop folder.
2. Confirm that anything important has already been moved to the local desktop folder created in step 2.
3. Delete the Desktop folder from OneDrive if it is no longer needed.
   • If something is deleted by mistake, it can be restored from the OneDrive Recycle bin at https://onedrive.live.com/?view=5.

4. Unlink OneDrive from the PC (close OneDrive)

This stops OneDrive from syncing on the PC but keeps all files already in the cloud available via the OneDrive website.

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
2. Select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon, then select Settings.
3. Go to the Account tab.
4. Select Unlink this PC, then select Unlink account.

After unlinking, OneDrive stops syncing and signs out on this PC. Files already moved to local folders remain on the PC.

5. Optionally uninstall OneDrive

If OneDrive should not run at all on this PC:

1. Select Start, type “Add or remove programs”, and open it.
2. Under Apps & features, find Microsoft OneDrive.
3. Select it and choose Uninstall.

Uninstalling or unlinking OneDrive does not delete files already stored locally. Cloud copies remain accessible by signing in to OneDrive.com.

References:

• Back up your folders with OneDrive
• Upload photos and files to OneDrive
• Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive
• How to cancel or stop sync in OneDrive
• Permanently delete your entire OneDrive