MC1457838 - Microsoft OneDrive: New policies to control file exclusions

What and why

Microsoft is introducing two new OneDrive policies for file-level exclusions on Windows and macOS.

Today, commercial users can view file exclusions configured by their organization, but they cannot add or remove exclusions. After this rollout, users will be able to manage their own file-level exclusions by default. This self-service capability applies only to user-managed exclusions. Users will not be able to remove exclusions configured by administrators through Group Policy or other policy management methods.

To help organizations maintain control over this experience, Microsoft is introducing the following policies:

• DisableChangesToODIgnoreList: Prevents users from managing file-level exclusions and hides the self-service experience.
• DisableDefaultODIgnoreList: Disables Microsoft's built-in default file exclusion list when organizations require excluded file types to sync.

Additionally, beginning October 5, 2026, Microsoft will add the .db-wal file type to the default OneDrive exclusion list. .db-wal files are temporary database files that can change frequently and are generally useful only with their associated database. Excluding new .db-wal files reduces unnecessary sync activity and avoids uploading transient application data.

Folder-level self-service exclusion controls are not included in this release and will be communicated separately.

Rollout schedule

• General Availability (Worldwide): Beginning in early August 2026 and expected to complete in early September 2026
• Additional change: On October 5, 2026, .db-wal files will be added to OneDrive's default exclusion list.

Impact on your organization

Who is affected

• Commercial Microsoft 365 organizations using OneDrive for Windows or macOS
• OneDrive administrators
• OneDrive users

Platforms and services

• OneDrive for Windows
• OneDrive for macOS

What will happen

Users will be able to add and remove their own file-level exclusions by default.

• Users will not be able to remove exclusions configured by administrators through Group Policy or other policy management methods.
• Organizations that want to maintain the current organization-managed experience can enable DisableChangesToODIgnoreList.
• Starting October 5, 2026, newly created .db-wal files will be excluded from OneDrive sync by default.
• Existing .db-wal files that already sync to OneDrive will not be affected.
• Organizations that require new .db-wal files to sync can enable DisableDefaultODIgnoreList.
• Folder-level self-service exclusion controls are not part of this release.

Action required and recommendations

Review whether your organization wants users to manage their own file-level exclusions.

Recommended actions:

• Evaluate whether the default self-service experience aligns with your organization's file sync and governance requirements.
• Enable DisableChangesToODIgnoreList before rollout if you want to preserve the current administrator-managed experience.
• Review workloads and applications that store .db-wal files in OneDrive-synced locations.
• Enable DisableDefaultODIgnoreList before October 5, 2026, if your organization requires new .db-wal files to sync.
• Test both policies with a pilot group before broad deployment.
• Update user and help desk documentation if you plan to allow self-service file-level exclusions.

Learn more

• (Update expected later in launch.) IT Admins - Use OneDrive policies to control sync settings | SharePoint in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn

Compliance considerations