How to Get OneDrive to Stop Emailing Memories

If you use OneDrive to back up your photo library, it regularly emails you memories— images and videos from the same day in previous years. Here’s how to disable them on Windows, Android, iPhone, and iPad.

While these memories sound like a good concept, they can clutter your inbox, act as distractions, and even dredge up bad memories. Emails aside, you will also receive notifications on your desktop and mobile devices. If you’d rather not receive OneDrive’s “On this day” emails and notifications, they’re easy enough to disable.

Disable OneDrive’s “On This Day” Emails

Rather than completely unsubscribing from OneDrive emails and potentially missing out on important account-related messages, you can specifically instruct Microsoft’s file sharing service to stop sending you “On this day” messages. To do that, you must access OneDrive’s web app at OneDrive.com.

  1. VisitOneDrive.comand sign in with your Microsoft Account.

  2. Select the gear-shapedSettingsicon at the top-right corner of the browser tab and selectOptions.

  3. SelectNotificationson the sidebar.

  4. Clear the box next toOn this day memories are available.

  5. SelectSave.

Note: If you attempt to sign into OneDrive.com on a mobile device, it may automatically launch the OneDrive app (if you have it installed) instead. Try signing in to the site after switching the browser to desktop mode to prevent that.

Disable OneDrive’s “On This Day” Notifications on PC

On the PC, it’s typical to receive “On this day” notifications from the OneDrive app that comes preinstalled with Windows 11 and 10. If you want to disable them, you must turn off a specific setting within your OneDrive preferences. If that fails to have an impact, you must modify the relevant registry keyusing the Registry Editor.

  1. Select theOneDriveicon on the system tray (located to the right of the taskbar).

  2. Select the gear-shapedHelp & Settingsicon. Then, selectSettings.

  3. Switch to theSettingstab.

  4. Clear the checkbox next toWhen OneDrive suggests a new collection of my photos and videos.

  5. SelectOK.

Note: On older versions of OneDrive, you may see an option labeledWhen “On this day” memories are availableinstead. Uncheck it to stop “On this day” notifications.

  1. PressWindows+Rto open theRunbox.

  2. Typeregeditand selectOK.

  3. Copy and paste (or type) the following path into the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor window and pressEnter:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOneDriveAccountsPersonal

  1. Select thePersonalfolder on the sidebar. Then, double-click theOnThisDayPhotoNotificationDisabledregistry entry on the right side of the window.

  2. Enter aHexadecimalvalue of1and selectOK.

  3. Exit the Registry Editor window and reboot your computer.

Note: If the registry entry in step4appears missing, right-clickPersonaland selectNew>DWORD (32-bit)Value. Name it asOnThisDayPhotoNotificationDisabledand save it with aHexadecimalvalue of1.

Disable OneDrive’s “On This Day” Notifications on Mobile

“On this day” notifications can also show up on iOS and Android smartphones, but you can disable them without turning off all OneDrive notifications like on the PC. Just note that the process is slightly different on the iOS and Android versions of the OneDrive app.

  1. OpenOneDriveand tap the profile portrait at the top-left of the screen.

  2. TapSettings.

  3. TapNotifications.

  4. Turn off the switches next toOneDrive creates a photo album for meandI Have Memories From This Day.

  5. Exit OneDrive’sSettingsscreen.

  6. Open theOneDriveapp and switch to theMetab.

  7. TapSettings.

  8. TapPersonal

  9. Turn off the switches next toI have memories from this dayandOneDrive creates a photo album for me.

  10. Exit OneDrive’sSettingsscreen.

Block Out Your Memories

OneDrive’s “On this day” emails are quick and easy to disable. However, don’t forget to make that count by also blocking “On this day” notifications. If you start missing your daily dose of OneDrive memories, you can turn them back on just as quickly.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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