How to Enable or Disable OneDrive On This Day Notifications

You can enable or disable OneDrive’s ‘On This Day’ photo notifications directly within the OneDrive application settings.

‘On This Day’ notifications are automated reminders from OneDrive showcasing your photos from the same date in previous years, powered by its AI. These alerts appear on your PC or mobile device to help you revisit past memories stored in your OneDrive.

For instance, if you have photos from October 26, 2018, OneDrive might notify you on October 26, 2023, about those specific memories.

You might want to manage these notifications to declutter your alert feed or to avoid seeing sensitive personal memories. Disabling them is straightforward and won’t delete any of your stored photos.

Change settings in the OneDrive app

You can adjust these settings directly through the OneDrive menu on your Windows 11 PC.

1. Click the OneDrive icon in your Taskbar.
2. Select the gear icon and choose Settings.

Alternatively, open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer, click the OneDrive button at the top, and select the gear icon.

1. In the Settings window, click Notifications on the left side.
2. Find the switch for ‘Notify me when On this day memories are available.’
3. Toggle this to On or Off based on your preference.

Manage OneDrive Memories on Mobile

If you use the OneDrive app on your phone, you can manage these alerts separately. These settings are account-specific, meaning changes on your phone may not sync to your PC.

1. Open the OneDrive app on your mobile device.
2. Tap your profile icon or the Me tab.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Tap Notifications.
5. Toggle off On This Day memories.

Disable via OneDrive Web Settings

You can also manage your photo preferences directly through the browser. Visit the OneDrive web settings page to toggle your memory preferences globally.

Change settings using the Registry (Admin Required)

Advanced users can use the Windows Registry Editor to manage this feature. Note: This process requires admin privileges.

1. Open the Windows Registry.
2. Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive\Accounts\Personal

If you do not see the Personal folder, right-click the Accounts key and create it.

1. Right-click in the empty space on the right side and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
2. Name the new item OnThisDayPhotoNotificationDisabled.
3. Double-click this item, set the Base to Decimal, and enter 1 to disable or 0 to enable.

Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Summary

OneDrive uses your stored photos to send ‘On this day’ memory notifications. You can easily turn these alerts off or on through the OneDrive app settings, the mobile app, or by editing the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive\Accounts\Personal. These settings are account-specific and give you full control over your digital memories.