May 30, 2026

How to Remove OneDrive From Your PC (2026)

Onedrive Microsoft 365 Windows How-to Uninstall

“Remove OneDrive” can mean three different things, from gentle to complete. Figure out which you actually want — most people just want OneDrive to stop syncing and get out of the way, which doesn’t require uninstalling anything. None of these delete your files if you follow the prep step.

First: Protect Your Files

Before removing OneDrive, make sure nothing is online-only that you want to keep locally:

Open the OneDrive folder in File Explorer.
Select files/folders you want to keep on the PC, right-click > Always keep on this device.
Wait for them to show the solid green (downloaded) icon.

Everything also stays on OneDrive.com regardless — removal from your PC never deletes cloud files.

Option 1: Unlink (Stop Syncing) — Recommended for Most

This stops OneDrive from syncing but leaves it installed. The lightest, most reversible option.

Click the OneDrive cloud icon > gear > Settings.
Go to the Account tab.
Click Unlink this PC > Unlink account.

OneDrive stops syncing. Your local files stay put; they just no longer update to the cloud. To bring it back, sign in again. Full detail in how to stop OneDrive from syncing.

Option 2: Hide OneDrive From File Explorer

If you just don’t want the OneDrive entry in the File Explorer sidebar:

Unlink first (Option 1).
Optionally turn off startup: OneDrive Settings > Settings tab > uncheck Start OneDrive automatically.

The OneDrive folder shortcut disappears from the sidebar after unlinking and restarting Explorer. Your files (now in a regular local folder) remain accessible.

Option 3: Fully Uninstall OneDrive

This removes the OneDrive app entirely. Your files in the local OneDrive folder and on OneDrive.com are not deleted.

Windows 11

Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Find Microsoft OneDrive.
Click the three dots > Uninstall > confirm.

Windows 10

Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Click Microsoft OneDrive > Uninstall.

Via Command Prompt (if it won’t uninstall normally)

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
%SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

(On 64-bit Windows, use %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall.)

What Happens to Your Files

Action	Local OneDrive folder	Files on OneDrive.com
Unlink	Stay (become normal files)	Safe, unchanged
Hide from Explorer	Stay	Safe, unchanged
Uninstall	Stay in `C:\Users\You\OneDrive`	Safe, unchanged

After uninstalling, your files remain in the C:\Users\<YourName>\OneDrive folder — they’re just normal local files now. Move them anywhere you like.

Reinstall OneDrive Later

Changed your mind? OneDrive is built into Windows — search the Start menu for OneDrive, or download it from microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive. Sign in and pick your folders again.

Troubleshooting

OneDrive keeps coming back after Windows updates

Major Windows updates can reinstall it. Uninstall again, or just leave it unlinked and disabled at startup — it won’t do anything.

”Uninstall” is greyed out

A work/school device may block removal by policy. Unlink instead, or contact your admin.

My Desktop/Documents are still in OneDrive after uninstalling

You had folder backup on. Move them back to your local profile — see how to turn off OneDrive backup.

Files show a cloud icon and won’t open after removal

Those were online-only and didn’t download before removal. Reinstall OneDrive, sign in, set them to Always keep on this device, then remove again.

Quick Reference

Goal	Do this
Stop syncing, keep app	Settings > Account > Unlink this PC
Remove from sidebar	Unlink + disable startup
Remove the app entirely	Settings > Apps > OneDrive > Uninstall
Protect files first	Right-click > Always keep on this device
Bring it back	Reinstall and sign in

Ready to automate your busywork?

Carly schedules, researches, and briefs you—so you can focus on what matters.

Get Carly Today →

Or explore our free tools