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Since the new update that rolled out a few weeks ago, I have this "Start back up" message in my File Explorer:

enter image description here

It has been suggested to exit onedrive but I still want to use onedrive, I just don't want the "Start back up" message.

FluidMechanics Potential Flows
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6 Answers6

23

I was able to get rid of the button like this:

  1. Open RegEdit
  2. Go to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StorageProvider\OneDrive
  3. Remove or rename the key StorageProviderKnownFolderSyncInfoSourceFactory

Edit: This works instantly, but the key is recreated after reboot. You can prevent this by denying write permissions to the key:

  1. In the left pane, right-click on the OneDrive key and then click Permissions. In the dialog click Advanced.

  2. Add a new access entry for user Everyone of type Deny. Under Advanced Permissions just select Set Value.

Only other solution for me was uninstalling OneDrive. The option 1 by @cam-ashton doesn't seem to work with latest Windows 11 (23H2) anymore.

djk
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6

Here are the instructions I've been giving to people to overcome this:

How to remove “Start back up” in File Explorer on Windows 11

If you don’t want to use the backup feature of OneDrive, or you just want to get rid of the “Start back up” message that appears in File Explorer, you have two options:

  • Disable the Backup Feature in OneDrive's Settings (Preferred Method).
  • Uninstall or Disable OneDrive Completely.

1: Disable the Backup Feature in OneDrive's Settings

The easiest way to remove the “Start back up” message in File Explorer is to disable the backup feature in OneDrive settings.

Todo this complete the following instructions:

  1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, click on the Backup tab.
  3. Under Back up your folders, click on Manage backup.
  4. Uncheck the checkboxes for Desktop, Documents and Pictures. Then click on Stop backup.
  5. Click on OK to confirm.

You have successfully disabled the OneDrive backup and hopefully got rid of the “Start back up” message from File Explorer.

With this option you can still use OneDrive to sync and store your files online, but files from your local folders won’t be automatically backed up from your PC.

2: Uninstall or Disable OneDrive Completely

Another way to remove the “Start back up” message in File Explorer is to uninstall or disable OneDrive completely.

⚠️WARNING: This will also stop syncing and storing your files online with OneDrive. This isn't recommended if you use other Microsoft services or apps that rely on OneDrive, such as Microsoft 365 or Windows Photos. Be sure you know what you are doing before following these instructions.

If you still want to uninstall or disable OneDrive, here’s how:

Uninstall OneDrive

To uninstall OneDrive from your PC, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
  3. In the Programs and Features window, find Microsoft OneDrive and click on Uninstall.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the uninstallation process.

Disable OneDrive

To disable OneDrive from running on your PC, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
  3. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive. 01 - OneDrive - Prevent Usage of Onedrive - GPEdit
  4. Double-click on Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.
  5. Select Enabled and click on OK. 02 - Enabled - Prevent Usage of Onedrive - GPEdit

That should be it. You have successfully uninstalled or disabled OneDrive from your PC and removed the “Start back up” message from File Explorer.

However, keep in mind that this might affect some of your other Microsoft services or apps that depend on OneDrive.

Cam Ashton
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2

A heads up, this is being addressed in an upcoming update: https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/12/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22635-4580-beta-channel/

We’re adding a new option to snooze or turn off the “Start backup” reminder in the File Explorer address bar, for those that aren’t already backing up their Documents, Pictures, or Desktop folders. This option is available when you right-click “Start backup”.

For now though, you have to do the inverse of the old "turn it off and on again".

You have to go into OneDrive, click on "Manage Backup", turn it on for one of the folders, then without waiting for the backup to complete go back into "Manage Backup", turn it off for that folder, and then the notification will be gone from the address bar.

Chuff
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0

Inspired by djk...

I used Regedit to delete this value:

"StorageProviderKnownFolderSyncInfoSourceFactory"

...in the registry key: "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StorageProvider\OneDrive"

Instead of djk's suggested change (regarding Permissions on the "OneDrive" key), I instead:

  1. removed inheritance
  2. deleted the permissions entry for SYSTEM

While the registry value does return, after rebooting, the button does NOT show in File Explorer. File Explorer - Screenshot Registry Permissions - Screenshot

I thought that by setting "Everyone" to deny I'd be denying myself permissions to the key...which seemed ill-advised.

Apothescary
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Before I removed OneDrive on my newest Win 11 system I changed the default folder locations (Documents, Music, etc.) so none of them were located inside the users>username>OneDrive folder. I have never gotten the Start Backup on my File Explorer no matter what folder I am in.

dawall
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If you want that "start backup" tag in File Explorer to be gone and you do not need OneDrive running, here's a simple method.
Ctl-At-Del, Task Manager, Startup Apps. Find OneDrive in the list, right click and disable it. Reboot, and "start backup" is gone. :)

If you do need to use OneDrive, you can start it manually.

user14479798
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