• The article explains how to remove the “Start back up” message in File Explorer on Windows 11, which is related to OneDrive’s sync and backup feature.
• The article provides two methods to remove the message: disabling the backup feature in OneDrive settings, or uninstalling or disabling OneDrive completely.

If you are using Windows 11 and Onedrive, you might have noticed a new message in your File Explorer that says “Start back up”. This message is related to OneDrive’s sync and backup feature, which allows you to automatically back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the cloud. However, if you don’t want to use this feature, or you find the message annoying, you might want to remove it from your File Explorer. In this article, we will show you how to do that in a few simple steps.

What is OneDrive and why does it show “Start back up” in File Explorer?

OneDrive is a cloud storage service that comes with Windows 11 and Microsoft 365. It lets you store your files online and access them from any device. One of the benefits of OneDrive is that it can sync your files across your devices, so you always have the latest version of your documents, photos, and videos. OneDrive also offers a backup feature, which can automatically upload your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to the cloud. This way, you can protect your important files from accidental deletion, corruption, or loss.

OneDrive shows the “Start back up” message in File Explorer to encourage you to use the backup feature. If you click on the message, it will open the OneDrive settings window, where you can choose which folders you want to back up. Once you enable the backup feature, the message will disappear and you will see a green check mark next to your backed up folders.

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 in File Explorer, there are two ways to do that:

• Disable the backup feature in OneDrive settings
• Uninstall or disable OneDrive completely

Solution 1: Disable the backup feature in OneDrive settings

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

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 boxes next to Desktop, Documents, and Pictures, and click on Stop backup.
5. Click on OK to confirm.

That’s it. You have successfully disabled the backup feature of OneDrive and removed the “Start back up” message from File Explorer. You can still use OneDrive to sync and store your files online, but they won’t be automatically backed up from your PC.

Solution 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. This will also stop syncing and storing your files online with OneDrive. However, this might not be recommended if you use other Microsoft services or apps that rely on OneDrive, such as Microsoft 365 or Windows Photos. 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.
4. Double-click on Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.
5. Select Enabled and click on OK.

That’s 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions and answers related to removing “Start back up” in File Explorer on Windows 11:

Question: Can I re-enable the backup feature of OneDrive later?

Answer: Yes, you can re-enable the backup feature of OneDrive later if you change your mind. Just follow the same steps as above, but check the boxes next to Desktop, Documents, and Pictures instead of unchecking them.

Question: Can I re-install or re-enable OneDrive later?

Answer: Yes, you can re-install or re-enable OneDrive later if you want to use it again. To re-install OneDrive, download and run the OneDrive setup file. To re-enable OneDrive, follow the same steps as above, but select Disabled or Not Configured instead of Enabled.

Question: Will uninstalling or disabling OneDrive delete my files from the cloud?

Answer: No, uninstalling or disabling OneDrive will not delete your files from the cloud. They will still be available on the OneDrive website and on any other devices that have OneDrive installed and signed in with the same account. However, any changes you make to your files on your PC will not be synced to the cloud or other devices.

Question: How can I access my files on OneDrive without installing or enabling it?

Answer: You can access your files on OneDrive without installing or enabling it by using a web browser. Just go to onedrive.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. You can view, download, upload, and share your files from there.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped you learn how to remove “Start back up” in File Explorer on Windows 11. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author and the website are not affiliated with Microsoft or OneDrive and are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions in this article. The user is solely responsible for their own actions and should always backup their files before making any changes to their system. The user should also consult the official documentation and support channels of Microsoft and OneDrive for more information and assistance.

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