Is OneDrive Slowing Down Computer? Get 20+ Fixes to Regain PC Speed
There is no denying that OneDrive has quickly risen to become one of the most used cloud storage services. It is used in both personal and professional settings alike. Moreover, many users download the free desktop app available alongside the browser version. This is to either back up their desktop files, have a copy of cloud data, or manage multiple accounts simultaneously. However, this added functionality sometimes results in issues like OneDrive slowing down computers.
No one wants their favorite service to become a hurdle in their productivity. That’s why we have laid out some tried and tested strategies that can be used to regain hardware speed. Start with learning some reasons as to why OneDrive is the culprit of this slowing down issue.
Why Does OneDrive Slow Down Computer?
- OneDrive has Inflated Beyond Capacity: Although, from a strictly app-based point of view OneDrive does not take up much space. The real volume is from the contents within it. Many times, users choose to store a local copy of files on the cloud. This is even when they lack enough storage space on their device. If they continue to overestimate hardware capability then problems of slow PCs are not a surprise. Moreover, starting from lags these can eventually transform into crashes.
- Continuous Syncing is Draining Resources: One key aspect for which many users install the desktop app is its real-time syncing capability. However, this feature can quickly turn sour and result in more problems than anticipated. Like OneDrive slowing down computers. Above all, OneDrive syncing is highly dependent on the bandwidth of your network. Any disruption in the internet connection can cause a delay in syncing. As a result, when the network resumes to its default speed OneDrive can send in multiple requests at once. This sudden increase in resource demand causes your PC to slow down significantly.
- Friction with Security Apparatus and Apps: OneDrive desktop comes with many features. Not all of them are enabled by default. There have been known cases where the same features conflict with firewalls, antivirus, etc, or are not available on certain versions. One such feature is Files On-Demand, even Microsoft itself cautions users that this feature works only on:
- Devices with Windows 10 1709 or later and OneDrive build 17.3.7064.1005 or later.
- PCs having compatible Antivirus solutions.
- Machines where WIP is disabled.
How to Stop OneDrive from Slowing Down the Computer with PC-Level Changes?
1# Restart Computer
This is a generalized instruction that all IT admins recommend. Shutting down your PC and turning it on again is a possible fix but only guaranteed to work sometimes. If this does not stop OneDrive from slowing down the computer then try out the following.
2# Upgrade Faulty Hardware
Microsoft’s official recommendation requires your machine to have the following characteristics before installing the OneDrive desktop app:
- Processor: Upwards of 1.6 GHz or higher, for either an Intel-based Mac or a Windows 10/11 ARM-based PC.
- Memory: Greater than 1 GB of RAM.
- Resolution: 1024 × 576 atleast.
- Internet connection: High-speed Internet access is recommended.
- File systems: NTFS or HFS+ or APFS
Missing these minimum requirements means you have to deal with OneDrive slowing down computers quite often. So, make the necessary changes accordingly.
3# Disable Anti Virus / Firewall
As mentioned earlier some Antivirus applications can interfere with OneDrive’s working. So it is better to turn off those temporarily and see if the issue resolves. You can also check the firewall in case it is preventing OneDrive from its tasks.
4# Clear OneDrive App Cache
Visit the folder C:\Users\your username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\setup\logs, and remove the files with the name:
UserTelemetryCache.otc
UserTelemetryCache.otc.session
Note: users must first end the OneDrive core task via the Task Manager.
Alternate Methods to Prevent OneDrive Slow Down Computer Issues
5# Update to the Latest One Drive Version
Directly visit OneDrive or OneDrive for Business desktop variant download site. And get a copy of the latest version. Upon installation, the OneDrive will open in its new version.
6# Uninstall and Install Again
If version updation fails then you need to uninstall the app and install it again. For that follow
- Click Start >> Hit Settings >> Go to Apps.
- Look for Microsoft OneDrive, and press Uninstall.
7# Upgrade Plan
For personal plan users you are free to change your plan as per your needs. However, those operating OneDrive for Business things are not so simple. As decision to upgrade cloud storage plans is under the jurisdiction of the IT admin. Talk to them and inform them about your requirements. Plan upgradation might be necessary if multiple users report issues with the current OneDrive slowing down computer as a whole. Greater storage allows you to deal with large files (both in number and volume) more effectively.
8# Reschedule File Syncing
To Pause syncing temporarily
-
- Click on the OneDrive icon on your taskbar.
- Hit the gear icon at the top right corner of the dialog box.
- Press Pause syncing
- In the dropdown, you can select 2 hours, 8 hours(recommended), 24 hours
Resume syncing in Off hours when resource demand is low and the PC is not engaged in other tasks.
How to Stop OneDrive from Slowing Down Computer via In-App Settings?
To get into the settings:
- Click on the OneDrive icon on your taskbar.
- Hit the gear icon at the top right corner of the dialog box.
- Open OneDrive Settings
9# Disable Folder Backup
- In the Sync and backup tab >> Click Manage backup
- Toggle the button beside “Backed up” folders
- In the popup hit Stop backup to shift folders toward the “Not backed up” state
- Hit Close
10# Reassign Preferences
- Turn Pause syncing when this device is on a metered network to On
Open Advanced settings to fix OneDrive Slowing down the computer
11# Turn On Upload/Download limits
- Turn on the Limit download rate option
- Use the drop-down to set a custom “Limit to”.
- Turn on the Limit upload rate option
- Set a Limit to figure instead of the Adjust automatically option.
12# Use Files On-Demand
- Click Free up disk space (to change Device)
or
- Download all files (to change your OneDrive account)
Note: both require free network availability
13# Re-link OneDrive
- Under the Accounts Section >> hit Unlink this PC
- Confirm your decision by hitting >> Unlink account.
- Click on the OneDrive icon again on your taskbar.
- Type in Email address >> Press Sign in
- Pick the OneDrive folder location.
Note: On reusing the same folder OneDrive asks you to confirm again. - Press “Use this folder”
- On the Next screen disable all auto-triggered backups >> Hit OK
- Not now >> Next >> Next >> Next >> Later >> Open my OneDrive folder
14# Prevent Optional Data Diagnostics
- Under the Accounts Section >> hit Privacy settings.
- In the window that opens Press Next >> Mark Don’t send optional data >> Click Accept.
15# Limit Folder Availability on PC
- Under the Accounts Section >> Click Choose folders
- In the new window unmark all files/folders and press OK.
16# Stop Notifications
- Under the Notifications tab toggle all switches to the Off position
Use the Task Manager and Resolve OneDrive Slowing Down Computer
The following can be done in an attempt to fix the issue. However, beware most of these are highly technical changes and thus disabled for users not having admin privileges. Before attempting any of these get the permission of your IT admin.
17# Terminate the Current Instance of OneDrive:
As the simple cross button fails to close the OneDrive instance we use the Task Manager for force closing.
- Open Task Manager
- Under the Processes tab >> open the Apps section.
- Find OneDrive instance >> Right Click(secondary click on mouse) >> Hit End task
18# Remove OneDrive from Launch on the Startup List:
- In the Task Manager >> Hop on to the Startup tab
Here you see a list of all apps and services permitted to start automatically alongside the PC boot-up.
As turning on the PC is a resource-intensive task, any disruptions can cause lag or freezing issues. As a result, it is better to shift them to manual mode and avoid OneDrive slowing down computer entirely.
- Find OneDrive instance >> Right Click(secondary click on mouse) >> Hit Disable
19# Stop-Start Service:
- In the Task Manager, you’ll find a tab called Services >> Click on it.
- Scroll till you see OneDrive Updater Service
- Right Click(secondary click on mouse) >> Hit Restart
- Alternatively, you can Stop the service as well.
Unorthodox Methods to Fix the “OneDrive Makes Computers Slow” Problem
20# Reset OneDrive
Reset operation brings back the application to its default settings. Here are the instructions to conduct a reset of the OneDrive Desktop app:
- Press the Windows + R keys together on your keyboard
- This opens the Run dialog box.
- Type “%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset” in the space in front of Open
- Press “Enter”.
Note: In case you get a “Windows cannot find…” message. Type “C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset” or “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset” instead of the usual command.
21# Use OneDrive Web App Instead
If the OneDrive desktop app doesn’t work after multiple tries then users can move on to the browser-based solution instead. It is not a direct method to stop OneDrive slowing down computer but more of a preventive measure. However, this severely limits the functionality that users desire.
Migrate to Alternative Cloud Storage
In a professional setting, you might not be the only one facing the problem of OneDrive slowing down your computer. As a result, the only option your organization has is to move all OneDrive for business accounts to a new cloud storage provider like Google Drive. Considering the battle between Google Drive vs OneDrive the former has some plus points that attract many organizations. Not to worry, as we have a capable partner here to assist you in this data transfer. It is none other than the one and only Migration Wizard OneDrive to Google Drive migration tool. However, before heading to the actual migration it is always a best practice to follow a OneDrive migration checklist.
The steps to use the tool are quite simple:
- Step 1. Get a copy of the free trial and pick endpoints (Office 365 and G Suite).
- Step 2. Pick workload (documents) and apply the necessary date filter.
- Step 3. Perform admin credential validation for Source and Target
- Step 4. Bring in users with one of three mapping options (Fetch, Import, Download)
- Step 5. In the Preview list Select >> Set Priority(optional) >> Validate >> Start Migration.
Conclusion
In this write-up, you found out how to solve OneDrive slowing down computer issues from scratch. We discussed more than 20 methods for users to regain PC speed. In case the methods don’t provide the desired results even then there is no need to worry. As also there is always an option to shift to an alternative cloud storage provider. For that use the best-in-class utility discussed earlier.