Stop syncing a SharePoint Library

If you’ve synced a SharePoint site library to folders on your computer, you can stop syncing these folders at any time. This may be necessary when you've completed a project, have removed the library from SharePoint or when there's a sync error.

When you stop syncing a folder, the folder on your computer becomes disconnected from its library. All files are retained in the previously synced folder. This allows you to sync the library to your computer again. When you start syncing a library again, you'll be prompted to use the same folder as before or you can choose to create a new folder in the event you want to avoid combining files.

If something goes wrong with the connection between the folder and the library, you can often fix the problem by stopping the current sync relationship, and sync files again using the Sync button from within the SharePoint site library (can also be done within Teams).

How to stop syncing a library

Right click the OneDrive icon in the Windows taskbar at the bottom right of your screen to open the OneDrive sync status. (If you don't immediately see the OneDrive icon, you may need to click on the up arrow in the task bar to show hidden icons)
The settings drop-down menu should automatically expand, but if not, click on the gear icon in the upper right corner and then select Settings.
The OneDrive Settings window will open. Select Account from the left menu and then from your list of synced libraries find the one you want to stop syncing and click the Stop sync button.
The folder will automatically be removed from the list. You can now close the OneDrive Settings window.

Deleting un-synced folders

Any folders and files that were previously synced from a removed library will continue to remain on your computer. If you no longer need these files, you can delete them.

In the following example the Town of Plainville - General library has been un-synced.
From a File Explorer window open the contents of the un-synced folder.
The status column should be empty indicating that no folders or files are still processing.
You can now safely delete or edit files within this directory or delete the entire top-level folder. To delete the top-level folder right click it and select Delete.