OneDrive Sync Interval, What It Is and How to Use It for Better Productivity

Microsoft OneDrive is a popular file syncing application from the techno-giant. This tiny tool comes preinstalled with Windows 10 and runs in the background. It continuously monitors your file activity and synchronizes the allowed files/ folders.

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Even though OneDrive is very helpful to keep updated with the latest file changes, there are times when you need to change the sync interval. For example, if you’re in the middle of a business meeting, you may want to temporarily disable syncing to avoid disturbance and focus on your activities. You may want OneDrive to resume syncing when you get out of the meeting, or the next time when you reopen it.

How Often Does OneDrive Synchronize Your Files?

Just like any other application on your device, OneDrive runs in the background. It monitors the changes you make to your files, creation of new files and accordingly synchronizes the data with its servers located across the world. OneDrive starts syncing the file as soon as it detects a change in it. As soon as you create a new file or edit the contents of an existing file, OneDrive will start syncing those changes online.

Can I Change the OneDrive Sync Interval? If So, How?

While it is not possible to change the OneDrive sync interval, you can temporarily disable the file syncing. There are different methods to do so.

Method 1: Pause Syncing (Recommended)

1. Click on the OneDrive icon in the Notification Area of your Taskbar.
2. Click on Help & Settings icon.
3. Select Pause Syncing, followed by your preferred time interval. OneDrive lets you pause the syncing for 2 hours, 8 hours and 24 hours.
4. OneDrive will stop syncing and you’ll see a message “Your files are not currently syncing”.

Method 2: Close OneDrive

Alternatively, you can click the OneDrive icon, and then select Help & Settings, followed by the Close OneDrive option. Keep in mind, OneDrive will run again and start syncing when you restart your computer again.

Method 3: Terminate OneDrive Using Task Manager

Another way to suspend syncing activity is to terminate OneDrive using Task Manager.

1. Right-click your Taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Click on More Details, followed by the Processes tab.
3. Right-click on Microsoft OneDrive and select End Task.

Note: We DO NOT recommend terminating OneDrive using Task Manager, as it can make OneDrive unstable and you’d lose any unsynced data. OneDrive may behave unexpectedly.

How Do I Resume Syncing Again?

You can resume the OneDrive syncing again by clicking on the OneDrive icon and then clicking the Resume Syncing icon (two parallel vertical lines). OneDrive will resume syncing immediately.

Alternatively, you can click on the OneDrive icon, select Help & Settings > Resume Syncing.

See when OneDrive files were last synced

Internet disconnectivity issues can sometimes halt the synchronization process. If you wish to check when your OneDrive files were last synced, here’s a method to do so:

1. Click on the OneDrive icon in the Notification Area of your Taskbar.
2. If all of your files are already synced, OneDrive will display OneDrive is up to date.
3. You can get the last synced time underneath each file in the list.

Note: OneDrive does not display the actual timestamp. It displays how many seconds/ hours ago a file was synced.

How to Check if a File is Synced?

To know whether a specific is synchronized or not, open the File Explorer and click on the OneDrive folder on the left hand side panel. If a file is already synced, you’ll see a completion icon in the Status column ahead of the file name. If the file could not be synced, a syncing icon would appear. Sometimes, OneDrive fails to sync files due to various technical reasons.