How to Exclude Files from OneDrive in Windows 11
Do you use OneDrive to keep your files safe? Sometimes, you might have specific types of files that you do not want clogging up your cloud storage. This guide will show you how to tell OneDrive to ignore certain file types so they stay only on your computer.
Why exclude files from OneDrive?
You might have large files or temporary files that you do not need to access from your phone or other computers. By excluding them, you save space in your cloud storage and keep your synced folders clean.
What happens when you are done?
Once you add an extension to the exclusion list, OneDrive will stop uploading new files of that type to the cloud. Please note that files already in your cloud storage will not be removed automatically; this setting only stops new ones from being added.
How to exclude file types
- Click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar.
- Select the Help & Settings (gear) icon and choose Settings.
- Click Sync and backup on the left side, then click the Advanced settings link.
- Find the Excluded file extensions section and click Exclude.
- Type the file extension you want to block (for example: “png”) into the box and click Exclude.
How to stop excluding file types
- Follow the steps above to return to the Excluded file extensions section.
- Look for the extension you want to allow again.
- Click the X button next to that extension.
- Click Ok to save your changes.
Summary
By default, OneDrive syncs everything in your folders to the cloud. If you want to keep certain files local only, you can use the Excluded file extensions menu in the OneDrive settings. This keeps your cloud storage organized and prevents unwanted files from syncing across your devices.
Can I exclude a specific file from OneDrive?
OneDrive does not natively support excluding individual files by name. You can only exclude specific file types using extensions or stop syncing entire folders. To exclude a single file, move it to a local folder outside of your OneDrive directory or use the 'Choose folders' setting to unsync its parent folder.
How do I exclude a documents folder from OneDrive?
To exclude your Documents folder, click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, select Settings, and go to 'Sync and backup'. Click 'Manage backup' and toggle off the switch for the Documents folder. This stops OneDrive from syncing the folder, keeping your files stored locally on your PC instead of the cloud.
How do I unlink OneDrive from certain files?
You can unlink specific files by moving them out of your OneDrive folder to a different location on your computer. Once moved, OneDrive will remove them from the cloud. Alternatively, use the 'Choose folders' settings to stop syncing specific subfolders, effectively disconnecting those files from your cloud storage account entirely.
How do I exclude folders from everything?
To exclude folders from syncing, click the OneDrive icon, go to Settings, and select 'Account'. Click 'Choose folders' and uncheck the boxes next to the folders you want to exclude. Once you save these changes, those folders will be removed from your local OneDrive view and stop syncing with the cloud.
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