How to Enable or Disable OneDrive On This Day Notifications
OneDrive On This Day notifications are pop-up memory alerts that show you photos from past years on your PC. Microsoft built this feature into OneDrive version 23.221 and later to share old pictures straight to your desktop.
You can turn these photo reminders on or off anytime through the settings menu in the OneDrive app. Managing this feature helps you stop unwanted photo alerts from popping up while you work.
Navigate to OneDrive Settings, click Notifications, and toggle off ‘Notify me when On this day memories are available.’ You can also manage this in the mobile app or via the OneDrive web settings.
Change settings in the OneDrive app
Toggling these memory alerts takes a few clicks inside the OneDrive app on your Windows computer. Look for the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar (the notification area at the bottom right of your screen), click it, then select the gear icon and choose Settings.
- Click the OneDrive icon in your Taskbar .
- 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.
- In the Settings window, click Notifications on the left side.
- Find the switch for ‘Notify me when On this day memories are available.’
- Toggle this to On or Off based on your preference.
Manage OneDrive Memories on Mobile
Managing ‘On This Day’ memory alerts on mobile happens directly within the OneDrive app installed on your phone.
- Open the OneDrive app on your mobile device.
- Tap your profile icon or the Me tab.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Toggle off On This Day memories.
Disable via OneDrive Web Settings
Photo preferences also respond to changes made through a web browser. Visit the OneDrive web settings page to toggle memory preferences globally.
Change settings using the Registry (Admin Required)
Advanced: Changing Settings with the Windows Registry (Administrator Required)
Administrator rights are required to modify these notification settings through the Windows Registry. Proceed here only if comfortable navigating advanced system files.
- Open the Windows Registry.
- Go to this path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive\Accounts\Personal
If the Personal folder remains hidden, right-click the Accounts key and create it.
- Right-click in the empty space on the right side and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new item
OnThisDayPhotoNotificationDisabled. - Double-click this item, set the Base to Decimal, and enter
1to disable or0to enable.
Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Summary
OneDrive uses photos to send 'On this day' memory notifications, which respond to controls found in the app, mobile settings, or the Windows Registry.
Will disabling notifications delete my photos?
No, disabling 'On This Day' notifications will not delete your photos. This setting only stops the automated alerts and pop-ups that suggest memories. Your files remain safely stored in your OneDrive cloud account and can be accessed at any time through your file explorer or the web interface.
Can I re-enable notifications later?
Yes, notifications return at any time. Follow the same steps used to disable them, then toggle the switch back to On. Once enabled, OneDrive resumes scanning your photo library and sending memory alerts based on the dates of your saved images.
Why am I receiving these emails if I don't use OneDrive?
Microsoft accounts sometimes save photos from connected services automatically, which triggers OneDrive 'On This Day' emails even without active app usage.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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