I don’t use OneDrive, but Microsoft is keen to let me use it. When you set up a new PC, OneDrive automatically starts syncing your files based on the Microsoft account you use to sign in. This isn’t usually a problem, but if you’re a PC gamer who frequently switches devices, it can cause quite a headache.
This is not an insurmountable problem and you can always turn off OneDrive. But as someone who frequently uses PCs, I wish Microsoft’s cloud storage service was opt-in rather than opt-out.
create conflict
The main problem with OneDrive and PC gaming is the Documents folder. This is one of the default locations that OneDrive automatically syncs when you sign in to your Microsoft account on a new PC, and it’s an important location for PC gamers. When you move between devices, you may run into conflicts that prevent you from adjusting game settings or prevent you from playing certain games at all.
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Let’s take an example. red dead redemption 2 Regardless of where you purchased the game, it requires the Rockstar Launcher to work. Like many programs, Rockstar Launcher settings are stored in your Documents folder and automatically synced with OneDrive. When you try to launch the game, the Rockstar Launcher hangs on the settings file already saved on OneDrive (assuming you launch the game on another PC) and becomes unplayable.
The only way to resolve this issue is to remove the launcher, delete both the OneDrive and local settings folders, close OneDrive, and reinstall the launcher. Otherwise, you will not be able to play the game.
Another example happened to me just recently.I was going to benchmark Assassin’s Creed Valhalla It worked on my Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, but the graphics settings were not applied. After about 30 minutes of troubleshooting and reinstalling, I finally tracked down the game’s configuration files. And sure enough, the settings file that was synced to OneDrive was being applied, overwriting the settings changes every time I tried to apply it.
These are both small problems with easy solutions, but I don’t feel like one at the moment. Problems like this seem inexplicable at the moment and will take you down a long path of normal troubleshooting steps, which won’t help you at all.
Opt in by default
This issue isn’t specific to OneDrive. Whenever you use a cloud storage service and start syncing things like game settings files, conflicts will occur. A unique issue with OneDrive is that files are automatically synced on Windows. You may run into a similar conflict, but it’s unlikely to be related to OneDrive.
This isn’t the only situation where Microsoft directs Windows users to its apps. OneDrive is one example, but there’s also Microsoft Edge, the Microsoft Store, and even some Xbox apps. The edge situation is very bad, so The Verge maintains a dedicated page detailing all the times Microsoft has tried to keep Windows users in Edge over third-party browsers.
The OneDrive situation is unique and can cause real problems that aren’t always easy to troubleshoot. I appreciate that Microsoft included a cloud storage service on the PC, but it should be something you have to opt in to rather than opt out of.
How to opt out of OneDrive
Thankfully, you can opt out of OneDrive syncing your files across multiple devices. If you’re worried about conflicts in the future, you can block OneDrive from starting when your PC starts. To do this, open OneDrive. It’s not a dedicated application, but the app launches in the background when you open a OneDrive folder in File Explorer.
Go to your taskbar and right-click on the icon that looks like a cloud. Select the gear icon in the top right corner, setting. Under the opened window, account, select Unlink this PC. This settings menu used to have an option to disable OneDrive from starting on your PC, but it no longer exists.
Instead, you should search for startup apps. Open the search bar using the Windows key and search for “Startup apps”. Scroll down and uncheck the box for Microsoft OneDrive. This is two layers of protection to keep syncing away from your device if you don’t want it to.
Of course, you can also exclude specific files and folders from syncing from OneDrive’s settings menu, but we suspect most users don’t want to go through this rather cumbersome process with their PC games.
In any case, don’t discount the involvement of OneDrive (or any other cloud storage service) if you’re having strange problems with your PC games, especially when it comes to external launchers or configuration files. This can save you a huge troubleshooting headache.
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