OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox — sync clients run background processes that continuously monitor file system changes. During a gaming session, this adds overhead.
What sync clients do
File system watchers monitor directories for changes. When a file changes, the client uploads it. This involves:
- File system filter driver (adds overhead to every file open/close)
- Background network upload (consumes upstream bandwidth)
- CPU processing for change detection and delta computation
The gaming impact
In most cases: 1-3% CPU overhead from the filter driver alone. Network impact depends on whether files in watched folders change during gaming (save files, screenshots).
More significant on lower-end hardware (4-core systems, older CPUs).
Pause sync during gaming
OneDrive: right-click tray icon → Pause syncing → 2 hours.
Google Drive / Dropbox: similar pause options in their tray icons.
Permanent fix
Move your game install directories outside of synced folders. Steam library on D:\Games rather than inside Documents or Desktop (which OneDrive syncs by default).
Disable OneDrive startup
If you don't use OneDrive:
reg delete "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v OneDrive /f
Or: Task Manager → Startup → OneDrive → Disable.
Backup alternative
Use Windows Backup or a scheduled script to backup important files instead. No continuous overhead.
IzanagiOP removes OneDrive from startup and disables its background activity. https://terweb.lt/
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