How to Enable or Disable OneDrive Notifications for Multi-Account Sync in Windows 11

Sometimes, OneDrive’s notifications suggest loading files from other accounts associated with the device since the app supports connecting and synchronizing files across different users. While this feature is convenient for some, it may cause distraction in managed environments. Turning off the prompts could create a cleaner and more controlled user experience.

This article explains the different ways to disable or enable OneDrive’s sync notifications in Windows 11 and provides related information for managing notifications.

Ways to enable or disable OneDrive notifications for multi-account sync

There are several ways to turn on or off OneDrive’s sync notifications in Windows 11, including navigating its settings, creating a data type in the Registry Editor, and creating a .REG file.

📌 Prerequisites:

• Any edition of Windows 11
• Installed and running OneDrive

📌 Recommended deployment strategies:

Method 1: Enable or Disable via OneDrive Settings

Individual users can manage OneDrive’s notifications easily by navigating the app’s settings. This GUI option doesn’t require scripting, privileges, or specialized apps.

📌 Use Case: Individual users who want to enable or disable OneDrive’s notifications on their account or device

1. Click on the OneDrive (cloud) icon on the taskbar, tap on the gear icon at the top right, and then click Settings.

2. Press Notifications, then toggle on or off Notify me to load files from my other accounts to this PC, depending on your preference.

💡 Note: This method only applies to the current user profile.

Method 2: Enable or Disable via Registry Editor

Using Registry Editor to manage OneDrive notifications is helpful for enterprise environments and system administrators who need to configure different devices.

📌 Use Case: IT administrators looking to apply the setting across different devices remotely

📌 Prerequisite: Administrator privileges

1. Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive.
3. Right-click the right pane and press New > DWORD (32-bit) Value:
   • Name: NewAccountDetectionNotificationUserChoice
   • Value:
     • 0 = To enable notifications
     • 1 = To disable notifications
4. Close Registry Editor.
5. Restart the computer or OneDrive for the changes to take effect.

💡 Tip: You can copy and paste the address into the Registry Editor’s address bar to access the OneDrive folder directly.

💡 Note: This method only applies to the current user profile.

⚠️ Important: Make sure you create a DWORD for the changes to take effect. (For more info, refer to Things to look out for.)

Method 3: Enable or Disable via REG file

Creating and merging a REG file is ideal for users looking to make a toggle for OneDrive notifications. Doing it this way means you won’t need to navigate the settings or Registry Editor to enable or disable OneDrive’s notifications.

IT administrators can also deploy the file to different endpoints to standardize sync notifications across various devices.

📌 Use Case: IT administrators looking to deploy a file that toggles OneDrive’s sync notifications

📌 Prerequisite: Administrator privileges

1. Press the Windows key, type Notepad, then press Enter.
2. Copy and paste the following (separate files) and save them as the written filename:
   • To turn on OneDrive sync notifications
     • Filename: Turn_ON_OneDrive_notify_load_files_from_other_accounts_to_this_PC.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive]

"NewAccountDetectionNotificationUserChoice"=dword:00000000

• • To turn off OneDrive sync notifications
    • Filename: Turn_OFF_OneDrive_notify_load_files_from_other_accounts_to_this_PC.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive]

"NewAccountDetectionNotificationUserChoice"=dword:00000001

3. Double-click the REG file to merge it.
4. Click Run, Yes, and/or OK to approve the merge.
5. Restart your device or OneDrive.

⚠️ Important: Ensure you save using the written filename to turn the text into a REG file. (For more info, refer to Things to look out for.)

⚠️ Things to look out for

Additional information regarding OneDrive’s sync notifications

Remember the information below, as it could affect how you manage OneDrive’s sync notifications.

Account management

Turning off sync notifications doesn’t prevent users from manually adding or syncing other accounts through OneDrive. It only prevents the prompt from suggesting syncing additional accounts. As such, users can still manually launch the app, sign in with another Microsoft or work account, and set up sync folders from a second account.

Domain environments

In enterprise environments, administrators can automate the deployment of this setting to multiple users or endpoints using logon scripts (PowerShell or REG files) that run each time a user logs in. Deployment methods are essential to maintaining consistency across enterprise environments and reducing the need for hands-on setup.

Reduced interruptions

Turning off sync notifications reduces interruptions and standardizes the experience in enterprise environments because users aren’t unexpectedly prompted to sync additional accounts. Similarly, the lack of sync notifications reduces confusion in environments where only work accounts are used or personal accounts are prohibited.

Manage OneDrive’s notifications and reduce clutter in Windows 11

Managing OneDrive’s notifications for syncing files from other accounts helps administrators streamline the user experience and keep a clutter-free desktop environment. Whether configured through the app’s settings or Registry methods, admins and individual users have flexible control over how sync prompts are presented on devices.

Related topics:

• Using OneDrive for Backup: What Businesses Need to Know
• How to Reset OneDrive in Windows 11
• How to Change the Location of your OneDrive Folder in Windows
• How to Sync Folders to OneDrive in Windows 10 & 11
• How to Enable or Disable OneDrive’s “On This Day” Notifications in Windows 10