How to Stop OneDrive from Backing Up My Starfield Game Folder

If you’re an avid gamer, you probably have encountered the annoyance of OneDrive automatically syncing your game files, especially with titles like Starfield. While cloud storage is a fantastic feature for many users, sometimes you need your game files to stay local, especially if you’re concerned about storage space or file management. In this guide, we’ll share various methods to prevent OneDrive from backing up your Starfield game folder.

Understanding the Issue

The primary problem arises from how some games, including Starfield, utilize the Documents folder for storage of critical files. When OneDrive is set to sync your Documents, it automatically backs up the game files, which can lead to unnecessary duplication and consume valuable cloud storage space. Furthermore, the syncing process may cause performance issues or conflicts with mods and game configurations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stop OneDrive from Syncing Your Starfield Game Folder

Step 1: Adjust OneDrive Settings

The first and most straightforward step is to adjust the syncing settings in OneDrive. Here’s how:

1. Open OneDrive: Click on the OneDrive icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen).

2. Settings: Right-click the OneDrive icon and select “Settings”.

3. Account Tab: Click on the “Account” tab in the window that appears.

4. Choose Folders: Here, you’ll see a button labeled “Choose folders”. Click on it.

5. Uncheck Documents: In the folder selection menu, uncheck the option for the Documents folder. This action will prevent OneDrive from syncing anything stored in your Documents, including your Starfield game folder.

6. Confirm Your Changes: After making your selections, click “OK” to confirm your changes.

Step 2: Move Your Starfield Game Folder

If you prefer to keep using OneDrive for other files but want to avoid syncing Starfield specifically, consider relocating your game folder:

1. Create a New Folder: Navigate to a location on your hard drive (e.g., C:\Games) and create a new folder named “Starfield”.

2. Move Game Files: Transfer your Starfield files from the OneDrive Documents folder to this new folder. This can typically be found in:

3. C:\Users\<Your Username>\OneDrive\Documents\My Games\Starfield.

4. Update Game Settings: If your game settings allow it, update the file location in the game so that it accesses the new folder instead of the OneDrive location.

Step 3: Disable OneDrive Completely (Optional)

If you find that OneDrive is more of a hindrance than a help, consider disabling it altogether. Here’s how to do this:

1. Right-click the OneDrive Icon: In your system tray, right-click the OneDrive icon.

2. Settings: Click on “Settings”.

3. Account Tab: Change to the “Account” tab and click “Unlink this PC”.

4. Follow the Prompts: Windows will guide you through the process of unlinking your OneDrive account. This stops the service from running and syncing altogether.

Step 4: Use Junctions or Symlinks (Advanced)

For users who are comfortable with more technical methods, creating a junction or symlink can help manage game files effectively:

1. Open Command Prompt with Admin Rights: Type cmd in the Windows search bar, right-click on Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator”.

2. Create a Symlink: Use the following command to create a symlink from your new game folder to the Documents folder:
   mklink /J "C:\Users\<Your Username>\Documents\My Games\Starfield" "C:\Games\Starfield"
   Replace C:\Games\Starfield with the path to your new folder.

3. Verify the Link: Check to ensure that your game now reads files from the new location without interfering with OneDrive.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively prevent OneDrive from backing up your Starfield game folder while still enjoying seamless gameplay. Whether you adjust OneDrive settings, relocate your game files, or utilize advanced command features, each method will help you gain better control over your gaming experience. Happy gaming!