When on a metered connection like mobile data, you can force OneDrive to pause or sync as needed. Here’re the exact steps you should follow to do that.
For many Windows 10 users, OneDrive is the go-to when it comes to cloud storage and sync. After all, OneDrive is built into Windows 10 and is better integrated with the File Explorer. Compared to other cloud services, OneDrive’s desktop app is feature-rich while being fast, reliable, and easy to use. Personally, I use OneDrive on a daily basis to sync my work and project files. For example, all the screenshots I take are directly synced to OneDrive so that I can access them on any device I want. As long as you have a decent internet connection, the files are synced automatically.
Though the general automatic file sync is a good thing, depending on your internet connection type, like when using mobile data, you might want to control OneDrive sync. For example, you might not want OneDrive to sync when on a metered connection because it consumes a lot of data. On the other hand, maybe you want to sync files because you need them immediately.
No matter the reason, OneDrive lets you control the sync behavior when using a metered connection. That is, you can either entirely pause OneDrive on a metered connection or enable OneDrive Sync on a metered connection. Whatever the choice you make, here’s how you can force OneDrive to pause or sync on a metered connection.
Sync OneDrive on Metered Connection
By default OneDrive pauses sync when connected to a metered connection, To sync OneDrive on a metered connection, you have to disable the pause option in the OneDrive settings. Here’re the exact steps you should follow.
- First, open the Start menu.
- Search for “OneDrive” and click on it.
- After opening, right-click on the OneDrive icon on the taskbar.
- Select the “Settings” option from the list.
- In the Settings window, go to the “Settings” tab.
- Here, uncheck the “Automatically pause sync when this device is on a metered connection” option.
- Click on the “Ok” button to save changes.
That is all. As soon as you select the option and save the changes, OneDrive should start syncing again. Do keep in mind that depending on the number of files you have and their sizes, you might run out of data pretty quickly.
Pause OneDrive on Metered Connection
Just as you can resume OneDrive, you can also configure OneDrive to pause sync when connected to a metered connection. This is very helpful when OneDrive is using up all the data and bandwidth to sync files. Here’re the steps you should follow.
- First, open the Start menu.
- Search for “OneDrive” and click on it.
- After opening, right-click on the OneDrive icon on the taskbar.
- Select the “Settings” option from the list.
- In the Settings window, go to the “Settings” tab.
- Here, select the “Automatically pause sync when this device is on a metered connection” option.
- Click on the “Ok” button to save changes.
After changing the settings, OneDrive will no longer sync file when using the metered connection. When OneDrive is paused due to metered connection, it will “This PC is on a metered connection. OneDrive Sync is paused to prevent data charges” message.
That is all. I hope that helps. If you are stuck or need some help, comment below and I will try to help as much as possible.
