How to Remove Microsoft OneDrive from Your Computer

Microsoft OneDrive is the cloud storage service that comes preinstalled with Windows 10 and Windows 11. While it can be useful for syncing files across devices, many users prefer not to use it. Some find it intrusive, constantly running in the background, or automatically syncing files without explicit permission. Others simply prefer another cloud service, or they want to free up system resources and declutter their computer.  Whatever the reason, removing Microsoft OneDrive can be done safely. This guide explains, in detail, how to completely uninstall OneDrive, stop it from running, remove its traces from File Explorer, and prevent it from reinstalling in the future.

1. Understanding OneDrive and Why It’s Integrated

Before diving into removal steps, it’s useful to understand why OneDrive is integrated so deeply into Windows.   OneDrive isn’t just a separate app,  it’s tied into Windows’ system settings, especially under “Personal files,” “Documents,” and “Desktop” folders. By default, new Windows installations encourage users to sync these folders to the cloud. This means even after uninstalling the app, the operating system may continue to reference OneDrive in certain menus or settings.  Because of this integration, removing OneDrive fully involves more than just uninstalling an app,  you also have to disable synchronization, unlink your account, and clean up registry entries or system hooks.

2. Before You Start: Backup and Preparation

Before removing OneDrive, you should ensure no important files exist only in your OneDrive cloud folder. Files that have been synced to the cloud will remain on Microsoft’s servers even after you uninstall the application, but files stored only locally in the OneDrive directory may need to be copied elsewhere.

Steps to prepare:

1. Check your OneDrive folder.
   By default, it’s located in C:\Users\<YourUsername>\OneDrive.
2. Copy or move any local files you want to keep to another directory, such as Documents or Downloads.
3. Unlink your Microsoft account from OneDrive.
   Before uninstalling, it’s good practice to disconnect the account:
   • Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
   • Choose Settings → Account → Unlink this PC.
   • Confirm when prompted.
     This ensures your files stop syncing and that your computer is no longer connected to Microsoft’s OneDrive service.

3. Disable OneDrive Startup Process

OneDrive launches automatically every time you sign in to Windows. Disabling this is the first step toward complete removal.

Method 1: Using OneDrive Settings

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
2. Go to Settings → General.
3. Uncheck the option “Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows.”
4. Click OK.

Method 2: Using Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Find Microsoft OneDrive in the list.
4. Right-click it and choose Disable.

This prevents OneDrive from auto-launching, though the software remains installed.

4. Uninstall OneDrive

Now you can remove the application itself. Depending on your Windows version, you can use either Settings, Control Panel, or Command Prompt.

A. Uninstall OneDrive via Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Apps → Apps & features.
3. In the search bar, type “OneDrive.”
4. Select Microsoft OneDrive and click Uninstall.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

This removes the main program files but may leave behind residual folders and registry entries.

B. Uninstall OneDrive via Command Prompt

Sometimes, especially on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise editions, OneDrive may resist removal through the graphical interface. In that case, you can use Command Prompt.

1. Press Windows + S, type “cmd,” then right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

Type the following command and press Enter:
    taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe

2.  This stops any running OneDrive processes.
3. Then run one of the following commands depending on your system type:

For 64-bit Windows:

%SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

For 32-bit Windows:

%SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

After a few seconds, OneDrive will be uninstalled quietly without confirmation dialogs.

5. Remove Remaining OneDrive Folders

Even after uninstalling, OneDrive may leave behind configuration files, cache data, and placeholders in your user folders.

To clean them up:

1. Open File Explorer.
   
2. Navigate to the following locations and delete any remaining OneDrive folders:
   
   • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\OneDrive
   • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive
   • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\OneDrive
   • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft OneDrive
3. Empty your Recycle Bin afterward.

This removes all OneDrive-related local data.

6. Clean Up OneDrive Shortcuts from File Explorer

Even after uninstalling and deleting the folders, you might still see a OneDrive icon in File Explorer’s sidebar. This is because Windows keeps a registry reference to OneDrive’s namespace.

To remove the OneDrive entry from File Explorer:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
   This opens the Registry Editor.
     Navigate to the following key:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\
2. Look for a folder with this identifier:
     {018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}
3.  This key represents OneDrive.
4. Right-click the key and choose Delete.
   Confirm when prompted.
   Also check:
       HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\
5.  If the same entry appears there, delete it as well.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Once restarted, the OneDrive icon should be gone from File Explorer.

7. Disable OneDrive Through Group Policy (Advanced)

If you use Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to completely disable OneDrive integration at the system level. This ensures Windows won’t reinstall or re-enable it during updates.

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
       In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
           Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → OneDrive
2. Double-click the policy named Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.
3. Set it to Enabled.
4. Click Apply and then OK.

After enabling this policy, OneDrive will be blocked from running or integrating with the system.

8. Disable OneDrive via Registry (For Home Editions)

Windows Home editions do not include Group Policy Editor. However, you can achieve the same result through the Windows Registry.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
       Navigate to:
       HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive
2. If the OneDrive key doesn’t exist, create it:
   • Right-click the Windows folder → New → Key → name it OneDrive.
3. Inside the OneDrive folder, right-click on the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name it DisableFileSyncNGSC.
5. Double-click it and set its value to 1.
6. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
7. Restart your computer.

This will disable OneDrive integration at the system level for Windows Home users.

9. Prevent OneDrive from Reinstalling After Updates

Occasionally, major Windows updates may reinstall OneDrive automatically. To prevent this:

• Keep the Group Policy or Registry Disable settings applied as explained above.
• Alternatively, create a small script to remove OneDrive post-update if needed.

Example script:
    @echo off
    taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
    if exist “%SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe” (
        %SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
    )
    if exist “%SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe” (
        %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
    )
    rd “%UserProfile%\OneDrive” /Q /S
    rd “%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\OneDrive” /Q /S
    rd “%ProgramData%\Microsoft OneDrive” /Q /S
    exit

Save this as a .bat file (e.g., RemoveOneDrive.bat) and run it as Administrator after large system updates.

10. Optional: Replace OneDrive Links in “Documents,” “Pictures,” and “Desktop”

If you previously allowed OneDrive to back up or sync your user folders, Windows may still point those directories to the old OneDrive location. To correct this:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Right-click Documents, then choose Properties.
3. Select the Location tab.
4. Click Restore Default and then Apply.
5. Repeat this for Pictures, Desktop, and any other folder previously synced to OneDrive.

This ensures all your default folders now point to your local disk rather than a deleted cloud path.

11. Verify That OneDrive Is Completely Removed

To confirm that OneDrive is fully gone:

1. Check Startup Apps:
   Open Task Manager → Startup tab → verify OneDrive no longer appears.
2. Check Running Processes:
   Open Task Manager → Processes tab → ensure no “OneDrive.exe” is listed.
3. Search File Explorer:
   Type “OneDrive” in the search bar under “C:\Program Files” and “C:\Program Files (x86)” to confirm no folders remain.
4. Confirm Registry Removal:
   Check the CLSID key and policy registry paths again to make sure the entries are gone.

If everything checks out, OneDrive is now completely removed and disabled.

12. What Happens After Removing OneDrive

Removing OneDrive doesn’t delete your Microsoft account or online storage. You can still access your cloud files anytime through a web browser by signing into your Microsoft account. However, Windows will no longer automatically sync or prompt you to back up folders to OneDrive.

You may notice:

• The “Backup your files with OneDrive” notification no longer appears.
• No OneDrive icon appears in the system tray.
• File Explorer is cleaner and simpler.
• System resources (RAM and CPU) are slightly improved, especially on older systems.

13. Reinstalling OneDrive (If You Change Your Mind)

If you later decide you want to restore OneDrive, it’s easy to reinstall.  Simply open the Windows Settings → Apps → Optional Features → Add a feature, search for Microsoft OneDrive, and click Install. Alternatively, you can download the OneDrive installer from Microsoft’s official website.

Removing Microsoft OneDrive from Windows isn’t just about uninstalling a program—it’s about reclaiming control over your file system and workflow. For users who prefer local storage or use other cloud services, disabling OneDrive can streamline performance and reduce background activity.  The process involves multiple steps: disabling auto-start, uninstalling the app, cleaning residual files, removing registry references, and optionally enforcing group or registry policies to prevent it from returning. Once done, your system will run free of Microsoft’s cloud synchronization tool, leaving you with a lighter, cleaner Windows environment.  By following these comprehensive steps, you’ll ensure that OneDrive is not only uninstalled but truly gone from every level of your Windows system.