OneDrive is downloading all my files - all 37.000 of them

To stop OneDrive from downloading all files to the Mac and stabilize sync, follow these supported steps on macOS:

1. Pause OneDrive sync
2. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar.
3. Select Help & Settings (three dots) > Pause syncing and choose a time (e.g., 2 hours).
4. Check storage and file volume If OneDrive is trying to sync a very large number of files, performance can suffer. If there are more than about 300,000 items, consider reducing what is synced to the Mac or removing some content from OneDrive. See the guidance under “Check you're not syncing too many files.”
5. Move a file out of the sync folder to clear stuck sync If the sync status is stuck (for example, “Processing changes” for a long time):
6. With sync paused, open the OneDrive folder on the Mac.
7. Move one file from a OneDrive-synced folder to a folder that is not part of OneDrive (for example, a local folder in Home).
8. Resume syncing from the OneDrive menu.
9. After sync completes, move the file back if needed.
10. Reset or reinstall OneDrive if the behavior continues If OneDrive continues to download everything unexpectedly or behaves incorrectly, reset or reinstall the app:

• Reset: Follow the steps in “Reset OneDrive” for Mac (this disconnects sync but does not delete files in the cloud). • Reinstall:

1. Drag the OneDrive app from Applications to Trash.
2. Download the latest OneDrive for Mac from the official download page.
3. Open the downloaded file and sign in again.
4. Reconfigure which folders sync to the Mac After reinstall or reset, configure selective sync so that not all 37,000 files are stored locally:
5. Start OneDrive (Spotlight > type OneDrive).
6. Sign in with the Microsoft account.
7. In OneDrive preferences > Account, use “Choose folders” (or similar option) to select only the folders that should sync to the Mac.
8. OneDrive will then only download the chosen folders; other content remains online-only.

These steps will stop OneDrive from pulling all files down to the Mac and allow control over which folders are stored locally.

References:

• Manage files and folders in OneDrive
• Fix OneDrive sync problems on Mac
• Reinstall OneDrive
• Download OneDrive
• Restrictions and limitations in OneDrive and SharePoint