How to Remove OneDrive from Windows 11 & Windows 10 Completely?
Microsoft OneDrive, in Windows 10 and Windows 11, allows users to store files online, synchronize folders across devices, and access documents from anywhere. While this integration can be helpful for many users, some people prefer not to use cloud storage or may rely on alternative services such as Google Drive or Dropbox and remove OneDrive completely.
Removing OneDrive entirely requires more than a simple uninstall process because Windows integrates the service into several areas of the operating system. The application may appear in File Explorer navigation, run background syncing services, or store cached files even after removal.
Therefore, the proper approach involves several steps. First, you must unlink your Microsoft account from OneDrive so that synchronization stops. Next, uninstall the application through Windows settings. After that, remove any remaining folders that contain cached files or backups. Finally, ensure that startup entries and system remnants are cleared so the service does not reinstall automatically.
In this detailed guide, you will learn how to remove OneDrive from your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC completely using simple and safe methods.
Let’s do it now!
How to Remove OneDrive from PC Completely?
To remove OneDrive from a Windows PC or laptop completely, open Settings, go to Apps, locate Microsoft OneDrive, and click Uninstall. After uninstalling, delete leftover OneDrive folders from File Explorer, disable startup entries, and remove any remaining registry traces if necessary. This ensures that OneDrive is fully removed from your Windows system.
Explore the process below to completely remove OneDrive and prevent it from appearing again in your system.
Step 1: Unlink Your Microsoft Account from OneDrive
Before removing the application, it is important to disconnect your Microsoft account from OneDrive. This prevents the program from syncing files while you are trying to remove it.
Start by locating the OneDrive icon in the system tray near the clock on the taskbar. The icon usually appears as a small cloud symbol. Right-click the icon and select Settings from the menu.
Inside the OneDrive settings window, go to the Account tab. Here you will see the account currently connected to OneDrive. Click on Unlink this PC.
Once you confirm the action, OneDrive will stop syncing files with your computer. The application may remain installed, but it will no longer connect to your cloud storage account. This step ensures that your files remain safe in the cloud and prevents synchronization errors during the removal process.
Step 2: Uninstall Microsoft OneDrive from Windows Settings
The next step is to remove the OneDrive application from your system using Windows Settings.
Press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings menu. In the Settings window, select Apps, and then click Installed Apps or Apps & Features depending on your Windows version.
Scroll through the list of installed programs until you find Microsoft OneDrive. Click on the entry and select the Uninstall option.
Windows will ask you to confirm the action. Click Uninstall again to begin removing the application. The system will take a few seconds to complete the process.
Once the uninstall process finishes, OneDrive will no longer run as an application on your PC. However, some folders and system traces may remain, which is why additional steps are necessary.
Step 3: Delete the Remaining OneDrive Folders
Even after uninstalling the application, several OneDrive folders may remain on your computer. These folders often contain cached files, synced documents, or configuration data.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your User folder, usually located at:
C:\Users\YourUserName
Look for a folder named OneDrive. If it still exists and you no longer need the files stored inside, you can delete the folder.
Next, check the following locations where leftover files may be stored.
C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive
C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\OneDrive
If these folders are present, delete them as well. Removing these directories helps clear remaining configuration files and cached data associated with OneDrive.
Make sure that any important files are backed up before deleting these folders because the deletion process is permanent.
Step 4: Remove OneDrive from the File Explorer Navigation Pane
Sometimes OneDrive still appears in the File Explorer navigation pane even after uninstalling the program. Removing this entry ensures that the service no longer appears in your system interface.
Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following registry path:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
Within this section, locate the OneDrive-related key:
{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}
Click on this entry and find the value named System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree.
Change its value from 1 to 0. This modification removes the OneDrive shortcut from the File Explorer navigation panel.
After making the change, restart your computer so the update can take effect.
Step 5: Disable OneDrive Startup Entries
Sometimes, OneDrive can automatically start when Windows boots, even if the application was previously installed. Checking startup entries ensures that the service will not restart.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. Click the Startup tab.
Look for any entries related to Microsoft OneDrive. If you find one, right-click it and select Disable.
Disabling this entry prevents Windows from launching OneDrive during startup, ensuring that the program does not run in the background.
Step 6: Restart Your Computer
After completing the previous steps, restarting your computer helps finalize the changes.
Click the Start menu, select Power, and then choose Restart. During the reboot process, Windows refreshes system configurations and removes temporary components that were linked to OneDrive.
Once your PC starts again, check File Explorer, the system tray, and the list of installed programs. OneDrive should no longer appear on your computer.
At this point, the service has been completely removed from your system.
FAQs
Is it safe to remove OneDrive from Windows?
Yes, it is safe to remove OneDrive if you do not use the service. Windows will continue to function normally because OneDrive is not required for basic system operations.
Will removing OneDrive delete my cloud files?
No, uninstalling OneDrive from your PC does not delete files stored in the cloud. Your files remain available through the OneDrive website or other devices connected to your account.
Can I reinstall OneDrive later?
Yes, you can reinstall OneDrive at any time by downloading the application from the official Microsoft website. Windows updates may also reinstall it automatically in some cases.
Why does OneDrive reinstall itself sometimes?
Certain Windows updates may reinstall built-in applications, including OneDrive. If this happens, you can uninstall it again using the same steps described in this guide.
What should I do before removing OneDrive?
Before removing OneDrive, ensure that important files are backed up and that syncing has been disabled by unlinking your Microsoft account.