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# How to Disable OneNote Backup and Save Storage Space
- URL: https://todayfixtech.com/disable-onenote-backup/
- Published: 2026-10-20T05:38:11.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-20T05:38:11.000Z
- Author: Md Sojib Mia
- Tags: Microsoft, Productivity

If you're a student using OneNote and need to manage your storage space, you might want to disable automatic backups. OneNote creates these backups to prevent data loss, but they can consume unnecessary storage. Fortunately, disabling these backups is a straightforward process.

## Why does OneNote create backups?

OneNote creates backups to ensure that your notes are safe and recoverable in case of unexpected issues, such as software crashes or accidental deletions. These backups allow you to revert to a recent version of your notes, which can save important information. However, if you regularly sync your notes with the cloud or have limited storage, these backups can become redundant and consume unnecessary space.

## How to disable OneNote backups on Windows

To disable backups in OneNote on Windows, follow these steps:

- Ensure you have OneNote installed on your Windows device.
- Make sure you can access your OneNote settings without restrictions.
1. Open OneNote on your Windows device.
2. Click on the `File` tab in the upper-left corner.
3. Select `Options` from the menu.
4. In the Options window, click on `Save & Backup` on the left sidebar.
5. Under the `Backup` section, find the option labeled `Automatically backup my notes.`
6. Uncheck the box next to this option.
7. Click `OK` to save your changes.

After completing these steps, OneNote will no longer create automatic backups, helping you save storage space.

![A close-up of the OneNote settings menu on a Windows laptop](https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?q=disabling%20OneNote%20backup%20settings%20on%20Windows&w=624&h=352&c=7)

## How to disable OneNote backups on Mac

If you're using OneNote on a Mac, here’s how to disable backups:

- Ensure you have OneNote installed on your Mac.
- Make sure you can access your OneNote preferences without restrictions.
1. Launch OneNote on your Mac.
2. Go to the `OneNote` menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
3. Select `Preferences` from the dropdown menu.
4. In the Preferences window, click on `Save & Backup.`
5. Look for the option that says `Automatically back up my notes.`
6. Uncheck this option to disable backups.
7. Close the Preferences window to apply the changes.

This will stop OneNote from creating backups on your Mac, allowing you to manage your storage more effectively.

## Verifying backups are disabled

To ensure that backups have been successfully disabled in OneNote, check the settings again:

1. Open OneNote and go to `File` (Windows) or `OneNote` \> `Preferences` (Mac).
2. Navigate back to the `Save & Backup` settings.
3. Confirm that the option for automatic backups is unchecked.

You should also monitor your storage space over the next few days. If no new backup files appear, you can be confident that the backups are disabled.

## Common concerns about disabling backups

Some users might worry about losing data without backups. If you ever need to recover a previous version of your notes, consider manually saving important notes or exporting them to another format. You can also use OneNote's version history to restore previous versions of individual pages without needing full backups. If you find that you need backups again in the future, you can easily re-enable the automatic backup feature using the same steps outlined above.

## Conclusion

Now that you know how to disable OneNote backups, you can free up storage space and manage your notes more effectively. If you need to re-enable backups, just follow the same steps to turn them back on.