Disconnect OneDrive in three steps

To disconnect OneDrive from your PC, open the OneDrive settings from your system tray, select the account tab, and click "Unlink this PC." This removes the sync connection between your computer and your OneDrive cloud storage without deleting files from either location. The process takes less than a minute and does not require a restart.

Disconnecting OneDrive is different from uninstalling it. When you disconnect, OneDrive stays on your computer but stops syncing files to the cloud. Your files remain in both your local OneDrive folder and your online account—nothing is deleted. If you want to remove OneDrive entirely, you would uninstall the app afterward, but disconnecting alone is usually what people need.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray (bottom right of your taskbar), select "Settings," then go to the "Account" tab and click "Unlink this PC."
  • Disconnecting stops syncing but keeps your files intact on your computer and in your online account—nothing is deleted.
  • After unlinking, you can still access your OneDrive files through a web browser at onedrive.live.com, but your PC will no longer sync changes automatically.
  • If you want to reconnect later, sign in to OneDrive with your Microsoft account and it will resume syncing from where it left off.
  • Disconnecting is not the same as uninstalling; the OneDrive app remains on your computer but inactive until you sign back in.

Finding the OneDrive icon in your system tray

The OneDrive icon sits in the bottom right corner of your screen, in the area called the system tray. It looks like a white or blue cloud. If you do not see it when ready, click the small up arrow (sometimes called the "show hidden icons" button) on the left side of the system tray to reveal more icons.

On some PCs, especially if OneDrive has not synced recently, the icon may be hidden by default. Once you click the up arrow, the OneDrive cloud icon should appear. If it does not appear at all, OneDrive may not be running—you can search for "OneDrive" in your Windows search bar and open it first, then look for the icon again.

Opening OneDrive settings and finding the Account tab

Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray. A menu will appear with several options. Look for and click "Settings"—this opens the OneDrive settings window. The window has several tabs across the top: "Account," "Sync and backup," "Notifications," and others depending on your version.

Click the "Account" tab. You will see information about your current Microsoft account and a button labeled "Unlink this PC" near the bottom of the tab. This is the button you need to click to disconnect OneDrive from your computer.

Clicking Unlink this PC and confirming the disconnection

Click the "Unlink this PC" button. A confirmation window will appear asking if you are sure you want to unlink your account. The window will remind you that your files will remain on your computer in your OneDrive folder, but syncing will stop. Click "Unlink" to confirm.

OneDrive will disconnect within a few seconds. The icon in your system tray may disappear or change appearance. Your OneDrive folder on your computer remains exactly as it is—no files are deleted or moved. You can still open and use these files normally; they just will not sync to the cloud anymore.

What happens to your files after disconnecting

Your local OneDrive folder stays on your PC with all its files intact. You can open, edit, and delete files in this folder just as you would any other folder. Changes you make to these files will not sync to your online OneDrive account, since the connection is broken.

Your online OneDrive account also keeps all its files. If you log into onedrive.live.com in a web browser, you will see everything that was there before you disconnected. The files on your PC and the files in your online account are now separate—they will not update each other anymore.

Reconnecting OneDrive later if you change your mind

If you want to reconnect OneDrive to your PC later, open OneDrive again by searching for it in your Windows search bar. Click on it and sign in with your Microsoft account. OneDrive will recognize your existing local folder and resume syncing from that point.

When you reconnect, OneDrive will compare the files on your PC with the files in your online account. If you made changes to files while disconnected, OneDrive will sync those changes to the cloud. If files were added or changed in your online account while you were disconnected, those changes will read to your PC.

Uninstalling OneDrive if you want to remove it completely

Disconnecting leaves OneDrive on your computer but inactive. If you want to remove the app entirely, you can uninstall it through Windows Settings. Open Settings, go to "Apps," then "Apps and features," search for "OneDrive," and click "Uninstall."

Before uninstalling, make sure you have disconnected first (using the steps above). This ensures your files are not affected. After uninstalling, the OneDrive app and icon will be completely removed from your PC. Your OneDrive folder and its files remain on your computer unless you manually delete them.

Common mistakes to avoid when disconnecting

Do not delete your OneDrive folder manually before disconnecting. If you delete the folder first, you may lose access to files that were only syncing to the cloud. Always disconnect through the Settings menu first, which safely breaks the connection while keeping your files.

Do not confuse disconnecting with signing out. Signing out of your Microsoft account is different and may affect other apps on your PC. Use the "Unlink this PC" button specifically, which disconnects only OneDrive. Also, do not assume that disconnecting deletes anything—it does not. Your files stay put on both your computer and online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my files be deleted if I disconnect OneDrive?

No. Your files remain in your OneDrive folder on your PC and in your online account. Disconnecting only stops the sync connection between them. You can still open and use the files on your computer, and they will still be in your online account if you log in through a web browser.

Can I reconnect OneDrive to the same PC later?

Yes. Open OneDrive, sign in with your Microsoft account, and it will reconnect to your existing local folder. OneDrive will sync any changes that happened while you were disconnected. You do not lose anything by disconnecting temporarily.

What is the difference between disconnecting and uninstalling OneDrive?

Disconnecting breaks the sync link but leaves the OneDrive app on your PC. Uninstalling removes the app entirely. You can disconnect without uninstalling, or uninstall after disconnecting. Either way, your files stay on your computer.

Will disconnecting OneDrive affect my other Microsoft apps?

Disconnecting OneDrive should not affect other Microsoft apps like Outlook, Word, or Excel. These apps may still use your Microsoft account for other features, but they will not be impacted by unlinking OneDrive from your PC.

What if I do not see the OneDrive icon in my system tray?

Click the up arrow on the left side of your system tray to show hidden icons. If the icon still does not appear, OneDrive may not be running. Search for "OneDrive" in your Windows search bar and open it. Once it starts, the icon should appear in your system tray.