How to Turn Off OneDrive Permanently and Temporarily in 2026?

Turning off OneDrive temporarily is ideal if you only want to stop syncing files for a certain time. This method is useful when you want to save internet data, improve system performance, or avoid automatic uploads.

When you pause or unlink OneDrive, your files remain safe in the cloud and on your computer. The app simply stops syncing until you enable it again. You can restart syncing anytime by signing in or resuming from settings.

Temporary disabling does not uninstall OneDrive from your computer. It only pauses its activity and prevents background syncing. This is helpful if you still plan to use the service later.

But when you disable it permanently, it means you are going to completely disable its functionality.

In this guide, I will explain to you both how to turn off OneDrive temporarily and permanently on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

So without a delay, let’s start!

How to Turn Off OneDrive Temporarily?

To turn off OneDrive temporarily, click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, open Settings, and choose Pause syncing or Unlink this PC. This stops file syncing without deleting your OneDrive account or uninstalling the app from your Windows computer.

Below are different methods to temporarily turn off OneDrive.

Step 1. Open OneDrive from the System Tray

Locate the OneDrive icon in the bottom right corner of your screen on the taskbar. It usually appears as a cloud symbol. If you do not see it immediately, click the small arrow to show hidden icons.

Right-click on the OneDrive cloud icon. A small menu will appear. From here, you can access settings and syncing controls.

If the icon is not visible, type OneDrive in the Windows search bar and open the application manually.

Step 2. Pause OneDrive Syncing

After right-clicking the OneDrive icon, select Settings or click on the gear icon to open options. Inside the menu, look for the Pause syncing option.

Click Pause syncing and choose a duration such as 2 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours. Once selected, OneDrive will stop syncing files for the chosen period.

This method is best for short breaks when you want to stop uploads or downloads temporarily. Your files remain safe and unchanged. After the selected time ends, syncing will resume automatically unless you pause it again.

Step 3. Unlink OneDrive from Your PC

If you want to stop syncing for a longer time without uninstalling the app, unlink your computer from OneDrive.

Right-click the OneDrive icon and open Settings. Go to the Account tab and find the option labeled Unlink this PC. Click on it and confirm your choice.

Once unlinked, OneDrive will stop syncing all files and folders. Your local files remain on your computer, and your cloud files stay in your OneDrive account online.

You can link the PC again anytime by signing back into OneDrive using your Microsoft account.

Step 4. Disable OneDrive from Startup

Stopping OneDrive from starting automatically is another temporary method.

Open OneDrive settings from the system tray. Under the General tab, uncheck the option that says Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows.

After disabling this option, OneDrive will not launch when you start your computer. This prevents background syncing and saves system resources. You can still open OneDrive manually whenever needed.

Step 5. Use Task Manager to Stop OneDrive

Press Ctrl, Shift, and Esc together to open Task Manager. Find OneDrive in the list of running processes.

Right-click on OneDrive and select End task. This will close the application instantly and stop all syncing activities.

This method only works until you restart your computer or open OneDrive again.

How to Turn Off OneDrive Permanently?

Turning off OneDrive permanently means removing it from your system or completely disabling its functionality. This is useful for users who never plan to use cloud syncing or want to rely only on local storage.

Permanent disabling ensures that OneDrive will not run in the background, start automatically, or sync files again. You can still reinstall or enable it later if needed.

There are several ways to permanently turn off OneDrive, depending on your Windows version and preference.

Method 1. Uninstall OneDrive from Windows

Uninstalling OneDrive removes it completely from your computer.

Open the Settings app on your Windows PC. Go to Apps and then select Installed apps or Apps and features. Scroll through the list until you find Microsoft OneDrive.

Click on OneDrive and select Uninstall. Confirm the action and wait for Windows to remove the program.

After uninstalling, OneDrive will no longer run on your system. Your local files will remain untouched. Cloud files can still be accessed through a web browser by signing into your account.

Method 2. Disable OneDrive Using Group Policy Editor

This method is available for Windows Pro and Enterprise users.

Press the Windows and R keys together to open the Run dialog box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.

Navigate to Computer Configuration, then Administrative Templates, then Windows Components. Find the OneDrive folder and click on it.

Look for the setting called Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage. Double-click on it and select Enabled. Click Apply and then OK.

Restart your computer to apply changes. OneDrive will now be completely disabled across the system.

Method 3. Disable OneDrive Using Registry Editor

This method works on Windows Home Edition.

Press Windows and R keys and type regedit to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then Software, then Policies, then Microsoft, then Windows.

Right-click on Windows and create a new key named OneDrive if it does not exist. Inside the OneDrive key, create a new DWORD value named DisableFileSyncNGSC.

Double-click this value and set it to 1. Click OK and restart your computer.

This will permanently disable OneDrive syncing features.

Method 4. Remove OneDrive Folder from File Explorer

Even after disabling OneDrive, you may still see it in File Explorer. You can remove it manually.

Open Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, then CLSID. Find the key related to OneDrive and modify its system settings to hide it from File Explorer.

After making changes and restarting your computer, OneDrive will no longer appear in navigation panels.

Method 5. Disable OneDrive via Startup Settings

Open Task Manager and go to the Startup tab. Locate OneDrive in the list of startup programs.

Right-click on it and choose Disable. Restart your computer. OneDrive will no longer start automatically, and if combined with uninstalling or unlinking, it will remain inactive.

FAQs

Is it safe if I turn off OneDrive?

Yes, it is safe to turn off OneDrive. Disabling or uninstalling it does not delete your files. Your local files stay on your computer, and cloud files remain accessible online.

Will turning off OneDrive delete my files?

Turning off OneDrive does not delete files automatically. However, if you delete files from the OneDrive folder while syncing is active, they may be removed from the cloud as well. Always ensure syncing is paused before making changes.

Can I reinstall OneDrive later?

Yes, you can reinstall OneDrive anytime from the official Microsoft website or by downloading it through Windows updates. Even if you remove it permanently, it can be restored easily.

Does OneDrive slow down PC performance?

OneDrive can use system resources while syncing large files. Temporarily or permanently turning it off may improve performance, especially on low-storage or low RAM systems.

How do I stop OneDrive from backing up desktop files?

Open OneDrive settings, go to the Sync and backup section, and turn off backup for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures. This prevents automatic cloud uploads.

Can I use OneDrive without syncing everything?

Yes, you can choose specific folders to sync. Open OneDrive settings and use the Choose folders option to select only the files you want.