Unlinking OneDrive removes the cloud storage connection from your computer

To unlink OneDrive from your PC, you stop the sync between your computer and Microsoft's cloud storage. This disconnects your OneDrive account but does not delete files from either your computer or the cloud — the files stay where they are. You can unlink OneDrive through the system tray icon or through Windows Settings, depending on which version of Windows you use and whether you want to keep local copies of your files.

The process takes about two minutes and requires no special tools. After unlinking, OneDrive will no longer sync new changes to the cloud, and you will not see the OneDrive icon in your system tray or file explorer.

Key Takeaways

  • Unlinking OneDrive stops syncing but leaves your files intact on both your computer and in the cloud.
  • You can unlink through the system tray (the icons near your clock) or through Windows Settings depending on your Windows version.
  • Windows 11 users should go to Settings > Accounts > OneDrive, while Windows 10 users right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
  • You will be asked whether to keep or delete local copies of your OneDrive files before the unlink completes.
  • After unlinking, you can still access your OneDrive files through a web browser at onedrive.live.com.

Unlink OneDrive on Windows 11

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Accounts in the left sidebar, then select OneDrive. You will see a button labeled Unlink this PC — click it.

A window will appear asking what you want to do with your OneDrive files on this computer. Choose Keep these files if you want to keep copies on your PC, or choose Delete if you want to remove them from your computer (they will still exist in your OneDrive cloud storage). Click Unlink account to confirm. Windows will disconnect OneDrive and the process is complete.

Unlink OneDrive on Windows 10

Look for the OneDrive icon in your system tray — the small icons clustered near your clock in the bottom right corner of the screen. If you do not see it, click the up arrow to expand the hidden icons. Right-click the OneDrive icon and select Settings.

In the Settings window that opens, click the Account tab at the top. Click the button that says Unlink this PC. A confirmation window will ask whether to keep or delete your local OneDrive files. Choose Keep files to preserve copies on your computer, or Delete files to remove them (your cloud files remain safe). Click Unlink account and the unlink is done.

What happens to your files after unlinking

Files you chose to keep remain on your computer in the OneDrive folder, but they no longer sync to the cloud. If you make changes to those files, the changes will not upload to your OneDrive account. Files in your OneDrive cloud storage stay there untouched — unlinking only affects the sync connection, not the cloud files themselves.

If you chose to delete local files during the unlink process, those files are removed from your computer but remain in your OneDrive cloud storage. You can still view and read them by going to onedrive.live.com in any web browser and signing in with your Microsoft account.

Relink OneDrive to your PC later

If you unlinked OneDrive and want to reconnect it, open the OneDrive app from your Start menu or search for "OneDrive" in Windows Settings. Sign in with your Microsoft account and choose which folders you want to sync. OneDrive will begin syncing again and the icon will reappear in your system tray.

When you relink, you can choose to sync all your OneDrive files or only specific folders. This is useful if you want to save space on your computer by syncing only the files you use regularly.

Common reasons to unlink OneDrive

People unlink OneDrive when they want to stop automatic syncing to save disk space, when they are switching to a different cloud storage service, or when they are selling or giving away their computer. Unlinking is also useful if OneDrive is using too much of your internet bandwidth or if you want to use OneDrive only through the web instead of on your PC.

Unlinking does not affect your Microsoft account or any other Windows features. You can still use Outlook, Microsoft 365, or other Microsoft services normally after unlinking OneDrive.

Troubleshooting if you cannot find the unlink option

If you cannot see the OneDrive icon in your system tray, it may be hidden or not running. Click the up arrow in the system tray to show hidden icons, or search for "OneDrive" in the Windows search bar and open the app. Once OneDrive is running, the icon should appear and you can right-click it to access Settings.

If the Unlink button does not appear in Settings, make sure you are signed into Windows with an administrator account. OneDrive unlink requires admin permissions. If you are using a work or school account, your organization may have locked the unlink option — contact your IT department in that case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unlinking OneDrive delete my files?

No. Unlinking stops the sync connection but leaves your files in place. You choose during the unlink whether to keep or delete local copies on your computer, but your OneDrive cloud files are never deleted by unlinking.

Can I access my OneDrive files after unlinking?

Yes. You can always access your OneDrive files by going to onedrive.live.com in a web browser and signing in. You can also relink OneDrive to your PC at any time and sync will resume.

What is the difference between unlinking and signing out?

Signing out of OneDrive pauses syncing temporarily but keeps the account linked. Unlinking completely disconnects the account from your PC. Unlinking is more thorough if you want to fully remove OneDrive from your computer.

Does unlinking OneDrive affect my Microsoft account?

No. Unlinking OneDrive from your PC does not affect your Microsoft account, email, or other Microsoft services. Your account remains active and you can use it on other devices.

Can I unlink OneDrive if I have unsync'd files?

Yes. If you have files waiting to sync, you can still unlink. Those files will remain on your computer if you choose to keep them, but they will not upload to the cloud. You can manually upload them later through the OneDrive website if needed.