By default, Microsoft’s cloud-based storage service, OneDrive, is launched when you start Windows. This helps the service synchronize with the cloud and update your files on the device you are signing in on.
While this can keep you up to date with the latest versions of your files on all devices, it can also have a downside. This can slow down the performance of your PC. Alternatively, you might want to turn off this automatic sync. Here’s how to unlink your OneDrive from your Windows 10 PC to stop the automatic sync.
How to unlink OneDrive from your Windows PC
Start by looking in the taskbar notification area—by default, at the bottom right of your taskbar. You can customize the Windows 10 taskbar by pinning items and making them colourful.
If OneDrive is running, you’ll see its icon in the notification area of the taskbar. Launch the application if it isn’t running, which you can do through the Start menu.
This will deactivate OneDrive on your PC. If you want to permanently remove the app and stop syncing between your PC and the cloud, it’s best to unlink your OneDrive first.
If you change your mind and want to re-link your OneDrive to your Microsoft account, this can be easily done.
Turning off Microsoft’s OneDrive syncing made simple
OneDrive can be a useful service, but you may have your reasons for disabling its functionality. Perhaps you’ve chosen a different cloud storage solution, or you simply don’t like what OneDrive has to offer. And if you want to move the OneDrive folder on your PC to a new location, before doing so you need to follow these steps to unlink your OneDrive from your PC.
OneDrive is a popular cloud storage service from Microsoft. It offers flexible pricing plans for users around the world. If you have a Windows powered computer and need uninterrupted access to your cloud files then this is a no brainer. While it may not provide the best desktop application experience (compared to some others), it is a good option overall.
But can you trust OneDrive with your files? Is it safe enough?
What are the disadvantages of OneDrive?
There’s a lot to like about OneDrive. It is no wonder that it is so popular. But before we highlight the good points, let’s take a look at what’s potentially wrong with it.
There is one issue to note off-hand: no end-to-end encryption.
In other words, the service does not provide zero-knowledge encryption or client-side encryption, which means your encryption keys remain with Microsoft. This does not mean that Microsoft has access to your files. However, with the client-side encryption feature in place, the cloud service will not know what you upload to your storage space.
Many secure cloud storage services offer this.
Encryption happens on your device, so the encryption key stays with you, giving you more security, privacy and control.
Interestingly, OneDrive also lags behind in another important aspect: privacy policy. While it manages to keep up with the industry standard, it doesn’t have a special strength for enhanced privacy.
For example, Microsoft scans and collects information about your files to improve the product experience and personalize products. The data collection process is mostly automated, but sometimes Microsoft employees may manually review the data.
They also share some of that information with third parties when responding to legal process.
If you’re not sure what to look for, you can learn how to spot a bad privacy policy. Overall, Microsoft’s privacy policy is not the best example out there.
1. Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft encourages you to use two-factor authentication for its apps.
The Authenticator app works flawlessly, reducing the effort of verification without the need to enter any codes. You get a prompt on your phone, and all you have to do is tap on the matching number on your authentication screen.
Compared to other authenticator applications, Microsoft Authenticator is convenient and user-friendly.