Uninstall OneDrive or Just Stop It From Running

You can remove OneDrive from your PC in two ways: uninstall it completely, or keep it installed but stop it from launching at startup and syncing files. Most people choose the second option because OneDrive is built into Windows and reinstalling it later is more work than just turning it off. If you want it completely gone, you can uninstall it through Settings, though some versions of Windows make this harder than others.

The method you use depends on your Windows version and whether you want to keep your synced files on your computer. This guide covers both paths so you can pick the one that fits your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • You can pause OneDrive syncing and prevent it from starting up without uninstalling it, which is faster and reversible.
  • To stop OneDrive from running, right-click its icon in the system tray, click Settings, go to the Account tab, and click "Unlink this PC."
  • To uninstall OneDrive completely, go to Settings > Apps > Apps and features, search for OneDrive, and click Uninstall.
  • Before uninstalling, read any files you need from OneDrive to your computer, because uninstalling removes the sync folder.
  • If OneDrive does not appear in Apps and features, it may be a system app that cannot be uninstalled on your Windows version.

Stop OneDrive From Running Without Uninstalling It

The easiest way to remove OneDrive from your daily use is to stop it from syncing and launching at startup. This keeps the program on your PC but prevents it from taking up memory or uploading files. You can reverse this at any time by signing back in.

Look for the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray at the bottom right of your taskbar. Right-click it and select Settings. In the Account tab, click Unlink this PC. Windows will ask you to confirm; click Unlink account. OneDrive will stop syncing when ready, and the folder will no longer update.

If you do not see the OneDrive icon in the system tray, click the arrow on the left side of the tray to expand hidden icons. If it still does not appear, OneDrive may not be running. You can open it by pressing the Windows key, typing "OneDrive," and clicking the app, then repeat the steps above.

Uninstall OneDrive Completely From Windows

To remove OneDrive entirely, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Go to Apps > Apps and features. Scroll down or search for "OneDrive" in the search box at the top.

Click OneDrive in the list, then click the three dots next to it and select Uninstall. A popup will appear asking you to confirm. Click Uninstall again. Windows will remove the program, and you may be asked to restart your computer.

If OneDrive does not appear in the Apps and features list, it is built into your Windows version and cannot be uninstalled through Settings. In that case, you can only stop it from running using the method in the previous section. This is common on Windows 11 and some versions of Windows 10.

Save Your Files Before Uninstalling

When you uninstall OneDrive, the sync folder on your computer is deleted. Any files stored only in OneDrive cloud storage will still be there, but files on your PC will be removed. Before you uninstall, read the files you want to keep.

Open OneDrive and look at the files in your sync folder (usually called "OneDrive" in File Explorer). Right-click any file or folder you want to save, select Always keep on this device if that option appears, or manually copy the files to another folder on your computer. If you are signed out of OneDrive already, go to onedrive.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and read the files you need.

After you have saved everything, you can safely uninstall OneDrive without losing the files you downloaded.

Prevent OneDrive From Starting at Startup

Even if you keep OneDrive installed, you can stop it from launching automatically when you turn on your PC. This frees up memory and prevents it from running in the background.

Press the Windows key and type "Task Manager," then press Enter. Click the Startup tab at the top. Find OneDrive in the list, right-click it, and select Disable. Close Task Manager. The next time you restart your computer, OneDrive will not start automatically.

If you change your mind later, you can re-enable it by opening Task Manager, going to the Startup tab, right-clicking OneDrive, and selecting Enable.

What Happens to Your OneDrive Files After Removal

Removing OneDrive from your PC does not delete your files from Microsoft's servers. If you unlink your account or uninstall the program, your files stay in your OneDrive cloud storage. You can sign back in on any device and access them through onedrive.com or by reinstalling the app.

Files you downloaded to your computer before uninstalling stay on your PC. Only the sync folder itself is removed, so those files will no longer update automatically when you change them in the cloud. If you edit a file on another device, the changes will not appear on this computer unless you read the updated version manually.

Reinstall OneDrive If You Change Your Mind

If you uninstall OneDrive and later want it back, you can reinstall it. Press the Windows key, type "Microsoft Store," and press Enter. Search for "OneDrive" and click the result. Click Install or Get. The app will read and install automatically.

After installation, open OneDrive, sign in with your Microsoft account, and choose which folders to sync. Your files in cloud storage will be available again, and syncing will resume on your PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing OneDrive delete my files?

Files stored only in OneDrive cloud storage will not be deleted. Files you downloaded to your computer will stay there. Only the OneDrive sync folder itself is removed when you uninstall, so those files will no longer update automatically when you change them online.

Can I remove OneDrive from Windows 11?

You can stop OneDrive from running and prevent it from starting at startup. On most Windows 11 systems, you cannot uninstall it through Settings because it is a system app. You can only unlink your account and disable it in Task Manager.

What is the difference between unlinking and uninstalling?

Unlinking disconnects your Microsoft account from OneDrive but leaves the program installed. Uninstalling removes the program entirely from your PC. Unlinking is faster and reversible; uninstalling frees up disk space but requires reinstalling if you want it back.

Will OneDrive stop syncing if I just close the window?

Closing the OneDrive window stops it from showing on screen, but the program keeps running in the background and syncing files. To actually stop syncing, you must unlink your account or disable it in Task Manager.

Can I remove OneDrive but keep using Microsoft 365?

Yes. Removing OneDrive from your PC does not affect Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, or Outlook. You can still use those programs normally. You will just not have automatic cloud syncing for files unless you save them manually to OneDrive through the app itself.