How to Enable or Disable OneDrive On This Day Notifications

OneDrive is a cloud storage tool that syncs your files across all your devices. It automatically backs up your important folders like Desktop and Pictures. When you store photos in OneDrive, it uses AI to create ‘On This Day’ memories. These notifications remind you of past events. You might want to turn these off if you prefer a cleaner notification feed or want to avoid specific memories.

Why manage these notifications?

Some memories are personal or sensitive. You may want to stop these alerts to keep your notification feed focused on work or to avoid seeing photos from difficult times in your life.

What happens when done?

Once you change these settings, OneDrive will stop sending you reminders about your past photos. If you turn them back on later, the alerts will resume based on the photos saved in your cloud storage. Disabling these notifications does not delete your photos or remove them from your OneDrive account.

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.