Do You Need OneDrive on Windows 11: A Complete Guide

If you're considering whether to keep OneDrive on Windows 11, it's worth noting that it's a free service that comes pre-installed on the operating system.

OneDrive offers 5 GB of free storage, which may not be enough for users with large files or collections.

You can use OneDrive to access and sync your files across all your devices, making it a convenient option for those who work or play on multiple platforms.

However, if you're not a fan of cloud storage or prefer to keep your files local, you can easily disable OneDrive.

To get started with OneDrive, you need a Microsoft account, which you can get for free if you don't already have one.

If you have a Microsoft account, you can start using OneDrive right away, but you'll only get 5GB of storage space.

You can upgrade to 100GB of storage or more by subscribing to a Microsoft 365 plan, which starts at $2 per month.

To download a file or folder to your PC, simply right-click it and select "Always keep on this device".

This will save you from having to constantly access OneDrive online, making it easier to work with your files.

If you're considering using OneDrive on Windows 11, you'll want to know how it can help with file management.

OneDrive sync status icons are a great feature that lets you know the status of your files and folders. You'll see a cloud icon for files or folders only in the cloud, a green checkmark on a white circle for files or folders synced to both the cloud and your PC, a white checkmark on a green circle for files or folders designated as Always keep on this device, and animated arrows for files or folders syncing to the cloud.

You can view a log of recent syncing actions in OneDrive by clicking the OneDrive icon on the notification area of the taskbar.

To manage your OneDrive files, you can right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area and select Settings > Account > Choose folders to change the folders you sync on your computer.

Here's a breakdown of the OneDrive sync status icons:

You can use OneDrive to automatically back up your Windows Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders. This feature is turned on by default, but you can easily toggle it off or on if needed.

By default, files in the Windows Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders are backed up to folders with the same names in your OneDrive. This means your documents will be synced to the cloud, so you can access them from anywhere.

To turn this backup feature off or on, simply right-click your OneDrive in File Explorer and select OneDrive and Settings. From there, you can manage your backup settings and decide which folders to sync.

You can toggle the backup switch for each folder individually, giving you control over what gets backed up to the cloud. This is especially useful if you have sensitive files you don't want synced.

Sharing and Collaboration is a breeze with OneDrive on Windows 11. You can invite specific people to access your files and folders by entering their email addresses in the Share panel.

OneDrive makes it easy to manage access levels for your shared files. You can change the access level by clicking the pencil icon to the right, and choose from options like Can edit, Can view, or Can't download.

When you share a file or folder, you can also include a brief message for the recipients to read. This adds a personal touch to the sharing process.

The access levels you can choose from are quite straightforward. Here are the options:

OneDrive makes it easy to keep track of who has access to your files and folders. You can see the email addresses of the people you've invited in the Share panel.

If you're not using OneDrive, it's a good idea to uninstall it to free up space and resources on your Windows 11 device.

Uninstalling OneDrive is a permanent solution to stopping it from backing up your files. On some versions of Windows, you'll only be able to Disable the application, but it will have the same result: OneDrive will no longer operate.

To uninstall OneDrive, press the Windows key and search for Programs. Select Add or remove programs from the results.

In this list of installed applications, use the search bar to look for OneDrive, or alternatively, scroll down the list until you find Microsoft OneDrive.

Select the three-dot menu icon on the right-hand side, then select Uninstall. It will ask for confirmation by saying "This app and its related info will be uninstalled." Select Uninstall again, to confirm.

Alternatively, if your version of Windows doesn't allow you to uninstall the OneDrive application, you can select Disable instead. That will turn OneDrive off entirely, and stop it from starting up again in the future unless you re-enable it.

If you've disabled, paused, or uninstalled OneDrive, you might want to consider one of these alternative cloud storage and cloud backup services: