The second important feature of macrocycle 1 is the possibility for altering its function by simple solvent changes. While in apolar solvents the four-step motor rotation proceeds with up to 79% efficiency, simple two-state photoswitching occurs in polar solvents instead without inherent directionality. In conclusion, we present a concept for reprogramming light driven molecular motors to shift and reverse their intrinsic unidirectional rotations. Using a deliberate macrocyclization strategy opposite directional rotation is established around a virtual axis with respect to the intrinsic directionality of the motor component. Further, simple solvent changes allow to toggle the function of this molecular machine between a four-step molecular motor and a two-step molecular photoswitch reversibly. This sensitivity to the environmental polarity enables a second level of control over molecular machine functions. It can be used to deliberately sense a particular environment, adjust the machines motions accordingly, and allosterically change its behavior. With these results an entry-point for multi-purpose molecular machines and their in-situ programming has been established, which opens up exciting possibilities especially with regard to applications of the same machine for different and even opposing tasks.