Microsoft has quietly changed Windows 11 settings: The operating system automatically starts Backup your OneDrive folder Without asking for permission. With a new Windows 11 installation, when a user connects to the Internet and signs in to a Microsoft account, their Desktop, Pictures, Documents, Music, and Videos folders are automatically synced to OneDrive. This can cause your desktop and other folders to fill with green check marks for various files and shortcuts.
The automatic folder saving feature can be useful if the user intentionally enables it. However, Microsoft decided to enable the feature automatically instead of pop-up notifications, prompting many Reddit users to complain about the unexpected green ticks.
Turn off OneDrive folder backup
If you don't want your computer to sync all files with OneDrive, here's how to turn off this feature:
- Click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, then the Settings icon, then select the Settings menu item.
- Go to the Sync & Backup tab and click the Manage Backup button.
- Turn off any folders that you don't want to back up to OneDrive and confirm the changes.
- If you have an older version of OneDrive, select the Backup tab, then Manage Backup > Stop Backup > Stop Backup.
Microsoft has used questionable solutions with its software before. A few months ago, OneDrive did not allow closing itself without giving the user a reason to do so (this change was later rolled back). A similar approach was taken with the Edge browser when users were asked why they would download another browser like Chrome.
If you just want to get rid of OneDrive, you can always uninstall the app.
