How to Exclude a File/Folder from OneDrive Sync

• User Cases
• Why Exclude a File from OneDrive Sync?
• How to Exclude a File from OneDrive Sync
• Bonus Tip: Real-time Sync Another Cloud with OneDrive via MultCloud
• Conclusion

User Cases

Case from Microsoft Community: As far as I'm aware, there is no way to modify the way that Adobe products save the "Adobe" folder to the PC's Documents folder by default. Does anyone know how I can tell OneDrive to NOT sync just the Adobe folder? Or, does anyone know how to modify the location of the Adobe folder?

Case from Reddit: OneDrive is syncing with the Documents folder on Windows 10. I am unable to alter this behavior within the application, though, as many Windows apps foolishly store their database files in a subfolder under Documents. I am aware that folders can be excluded from syncing, but it seems that doing so prevents cloud folders from syncing locally rather than the other way around.

Why Exclude a File from OneDrive Sync?

When you seek solutions to exclude files from OneDrive sync, there must be some reasons that promote this question. Here are some common causes:

How to Exclude a File from OneDrive Sync

Can I stop certain files from syncing to OneDrive? Actually, it can be realized. In this part, you will see 2 solutions to exclude specific folders and files from syncing to OneDrive. One is by changing the OneDrive settings, and another is syncing by AOMEI Backupper.

1. Exclude Folder from OneDrive Sync in OneDrive Settings

Step 1. Click on the OneDrive logo on your desktop taskbar.

Step 2. Tap the gear icon and select “Settings”.

Step 3. Go to the “Sync and backup” page and click the “Manage backup” button.

Step 4. Switch off the button next to the folders you do not want to sync with OneDrive. Then, click “Save changes” and the selected folders will not sync with your OneDrive.

2. Exclude Specific Files from OneDrive Sync via AOMEI Backupper

AOMEI Backupper is a professional backup, sync, restore, and clone service. It helps easily connect your computer files and folders with cloud drives. Except for relying on the OneDrive simple sync, using AOMEI Backupper to sync specific folders with OneDrive can also be a choice.

Like OneDrive sync, AOMEI Backupper Sync also offers Real-Time Sync by which files can be instantly updated from your computer to OneDrive. In addition to Real-Time Sync, you can also try its Mirror Sync and Two-way Sync if you get a Professional edition.

Step 1. Download and install AOMEI Backupper.

Step 2. Click “Login” to log in to your account or sign up for a new account.

Step 3. Choose the “Sync” function and open “Real-Time Sync”.

Step 4. Click “Add Folder” to select the folder you want to sync with OneDrive. Then, tap on the bar, choose “Select a cloud drive”, and select OneDrive.

Step 5. Tap on the “Start Sync” button to sync specific local folders to OneDrive.

Bonus Tip: Real-time Sync Another Cloud with OneDrive via MultCloud

Have you ever thought of syncing another cloud with OneDrive like the desktop app syncing? If so, there is a way to help you make it! MultCloud is a web-based service that can automatically sync files between One Drive and Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud Drive, pCloud, and more.

MultCloud Cloud Sync is a function that we are going to use for cloud-to-cloud file sync. It offers multiple sync modes:

MultCloud functions including Cloud Sync are designed for both computer professionals and novices. You can see the easy steps for real-time syncing OneDrive with Google Drive below.

Step 1. Enter the MultCloud website and create an account for free.

Step 2. Click “Add Cloud” and the OneDrive logo to add OneDrive to MultCloud. Also, repeat the step to add Google Drive to MultCloud.

Step 3. Select the “Cloud Sync” function in the left sidebar and choose the source and destination clouds.

Step 4. Switch the button to “Real Time Sync” and tap “Sync Now” to initiate the task.

Conclusion

How do I exclude a file from OneDrive sync? There are 2 ways you can choose from. One is to unselect some folders to sync to OneDrive in its settings, and another is using AOMEI Backupper to sync local folders to OneDrive instead of OneDrive sync.

Besides, if you want to real-time sync files between OneDrive and other clouds, MultCloud Cloud Sync will be your NO.1 choice. Its Real Time Sync mode is free to use and you can exclude some file types with the Filter tool.