Enable or disable OneDrive sync when device is on a metered network

Data loss is usually a huge nightmare to most people. To prevent it, Windows 10 offers users a built-in cloud storage service called OneDrive. OneDrive enables you to easily back up files and folders to the cloud and retrieve them when need be. What’s more, it lets you access the stored files from all your devices.

OneDrive uses your internet connection to back up files, which can consume plenty of network bandwidth. Luckily, the feature allows you to pause and resume syncing accordingly to ensure reliability and prevent inconveniences.

In today’s post, we will discuss how to pause and resume OneDrive syncing on Windows 10 PCs.

How to Pause OneDrive Sync When Your Device Is on a Metered Network

When connected to a metered wireless or Ethernet network, you can pause OneDrive sync through the app’s settings or the Registry Editor.

Method 1: Using OneDrive’s Settings

This is the easiest way to pause OneDrive sync. To use it, follow the steps below:

1. Sign in to your OneDrive account. Then click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
2. Click on Help & Settings and choose Settings from the menu.
3. In the new window, go to the Settings tab.
4. Here, select the checkbox that reads “Automatically pause sync when this device is on a metered network”.
5. Click on the OK button to save your changes.

Method 2: Using the Registry Editor

You can pause OneDrive sync via the Registry Editor, but you must be cautious when doing so. Editing the registry is a pretty effective way to tweak your Windows 10 PC, but it can easily cause damage if something goes wrong.

We will show you the exact steps to follow to pause syncing using this method. However, we suggest that you create a restore point and back up the registry before going further. That way, you can quickly reverse any changes to prevent damage.

You could also use a professional registry cleaner such as Auslogics Registry Cleaner to eliminate invalid, corrupt, and empty keys that may cause glitches and crashes on your device. This helps stabilize your computer to prevent encountering strange errors. You can get this free software here.

Before creating a System Restore point, the System Restore feature must be enabled on your machine.

Here’s how to enable it:

1. Use the Win + I key combo to open the search bar.
2. Type in “restore” (no quotes) and select “Create a restore point”.
3. Once the System Properties page appears, select your main drive under the Protection Settings section.
4. Then click on the Configure button.
5. Select the “Turn on system protection” option.
6. Finally, click on the Apply button and then choose OK.

Follow this guide to create a restore point:

1. Open the System Properties window.
2. Go to Protection Settings and select “Create”.
3. Name the restore point and then click on the Create button.
4. Choose Close and then click OK on the System Properties page.

If you need to apply the restore point, follow the steps below:

1. Open Search using the Win key + S combo and type in “restore” (without quotes).
2. Choose “Create a restore point” and then click on System Restore in the next window.
3. Click on the Next button to display your restore point.
4. Click on the restore point and then choose “Scan for affected programs”.
5. Select Close, and then click on the Next button.
6. Choose Finish.

Use this procedure to back up your registry:

1. Press the Windows logo + R combination to summon Run.
2. Type in “regedit” (no quotes) and hit Enter.
3. Click Yes in the UAC (User Account Control) confirmation window to open the Registry Editor.
4. Select “Computer” at the top of the left menu pane. Then right-click on it and choose Export.
5. Name the file and pick where to store it.
6. Click on the “Save as type” drop-down box and select “registration files (*.reg)”.
7. Go to “Export range” and choose All.
8. Click on the Save button.

If you need to use the backup file, here’s how:

1. Open the Registry Editor.
2. Click File on the menu bar and choose Import.
3. Navigate to where you saved the backup file and select it.
4. Then click on the Open button.

Once you have a System Restore point and a registry backup, use this guide to pause OneDrive sync:

1. Use the Windows logo key + R combination to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type in “regedit” (no quotes) and then hit Enter.
3. Click on Yes in the UAC window.
4. Immediately the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OneDrive

5. Next, right-click on OneDrive and select New. Then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value from the menu.
6. Right-click on the new DWORD and select Rename. Then type in “UserSettingMeteredNetworkEnabled” (without quotes) and press Enter.
7. Double-click on UserSettingMeteredNetworkEnabled and type “1” (no quotes) into the Value data box.
8. Then click on the OK button to save your modifications.

Now OneDrive will always pause syncing when your PC is on a metered network.

How to Resume OneDrive Sync When Your Device Is on a Metered Network

If you have paused OneDrive sync and now want to resume it, this procedure will help you:

1. Go to the system tray and click on the OneDrive icon.
2. Select Help & Settings and then click on the Settings option.
3. Open the Settings tab and uncheck the box for “Automatically pause sync when this device is on a metered network”.
4. Finally, click on the OK button.
5. OneDrive will sync your files and folders even when your device is on a metered network.

Wrapping Up

If you are a OneDrive user and have been wondering how to temporarily pause OneDrive sync in Windows 10, we hope this article has helped. However, if you are still having issues doing so, feel free to drop a comment below, and we’ll be happy to help. Also, visit our blog for more proven solutions to your Windows 10 problems.