Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
I do n’t useOneDrive , but Microsoft is hellbent on making sure I do . When you set up a raw microcomputer , OneDrive mechanically starts syncing file based on the Microsoft account you bless in with . This is n’t ordinarily a problem , but if you ’re a PC gamer who switches twist often , it can have quite a headache .
It ’s not an impossible trouble to overcome , and you could always turn OneDrive off . But as someone who bounces around PCs often , I wish that Microsoft ’s cloud store service was opt - in instead of opt - out .
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Creating conflict
The main job with OneDrive and PC gaming is your document folder . This is one of the default locating that OneDrive automatically syncs when you signal into your Microsoft account on a new microcomputer , and it ’s a critical location if you ’re a PC gamer . When affect between machine , you may get catch up in conflicts that will lock you out of adjusting options in game or sometimes block you from play sure games at all .
Let me ply an example . Red Dead Redemption 2requires the Rockstar Launcher in ordering to work , regardless of where you bought the game . Like a lot of programs , your options for the Rockstar Launcher are store in your written document leaflet , which is mechanically sync with OneDrive . When you go to launch the game , the Rockstar Launcher will hang with the options single file already put in in OneDrive — assuming you ’ve launched the biz on another PC — and you wo n’t be able to recreate .
The only fashion to solve this problem is to delete the rocket launcher , delete the configurations folder in both OneDrive and locally , give up OneDrive , and reinstall the rocket launcher . Otherwise , you wo n’t be able to take on your secret plan .
Another model happened to me just late . I was going to benchmarkAssassin ’s Creed Valhallaon theAsus ROG Zephyrus G14 , but my graphic configurations would n’t apply . After about 30 minute of troubleshooting and a reinstall , I finally chased down the options single file for the secret plan — and sure enough , it was apply a setting file that had been sync to OneDrive , overwrite my place setting changes each clock time I tried to apply them .
These are both minor job with aboveboard resolution , but it does n’t feel that way in the second . problem like these seem inexplicable in the moment and usually send you down a long road of normal troubleshooting footfall that amount to nothing .
I should luff out that this is n’t an issue that applies to every game . Most games hive away things like you options file in the App Data folder , which does n’t cause an outcome with OneDrive . There are those handful of instances where OneDrive is the culprit , however .
Opt in by default
This is n’t a problem unequalled to OneDrive . If you ’re using any cloud storage service and start syncing affair like your game preferences files , you ’re bound to turn tail into some conflicts . The problem specific to OneDrive is that it sync file automatically on Windows . You could draw into interchangeable fight and be none the wiser that it has anything to do with OneDrive .
This for sure is n’t the only situation where Microsoft herds Windows users toward its apps . OneDrive is one example , but we also have Microsoft Edge , the Microsoft Store , and even the Xbox app to a sure degree . The Edge situation is so bad thatThe Vergemaintainsa dedicated pageboy detail all the times Microsoft has tried to keep Windows user on Edge instead of a third - party web browser app .
The spot with OneDrive is unequalled because it can make existent problem that are n’t always well-off to trouble-shoot . I appreciate Microsoft including its cloud memory help on PC , but it should be something you need to choose into instead of opt out of .
How to opt out of OneDrive
gratefully , you canopt out of OneDrivesyncing your data file across multiple devices . If you ’re worried about create a conflict down the road , you could block OneDrive from start when you bring up your microcomputer . To do so , open OneDrive — it ’s not a consecrate software , but opening the OneDrive folder in File Explorer will plunge the app in the background .
Head down to your taskbar and right - clack the icon that looks like a cloud . Select the cog icon in the upper ripe corner , then chooseSettings . In the windowpane that opens , underAccount , selectUnlink this PC.This options menu used to have the choice to disable OneDrive from starting with your PC , but it no longer does .
rather , you ’ll have to explore for startup apps . habituate your Windows keystone to launch the search legal profession and explore for “ Startup apps . ” you may scroll down and uncheck the box for Microsoft OneDrive . That ’s two layers of protection to keep the syncing away from your equipment if you do n’t want it .
Of naturally , you could also exclude sure file and folders from synchronize through the OneDrive setting menu , but I suspect most drug user wo n’t desire to go through this rather arduous process for PC games .
Regardless , if you ’re running into some unusual effect with your personal computer games , particularly when it comes to extraneous launchers and configurations files , do n’t discount OneDrive ’s ( or something other cloud depot servicing ) involvement . It can save you a grown concern in troubleshooting .
