OneDrive Registry Keys to Disable OneDrive Completely

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If you want to disable OneDrive completely, you'll need to edit the registry. Editing the registry can be a bit tricky, but it's a straightforward process.

To start, you'll need to navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OneDrive. This is where you'll find the settings for OneDrive.

The "IsOfflineOwnsClient" value is particularly important here. Setting this value to 1 will disable OneDrive's cloud syncing feature, effectively turning it off.

By disabling OneDrive's cloud syncing feature, you'll prevent it from syncing files and folders with your OneDrive account.

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Disabling OneDrive

Disabling OneDrive can be a bit tricky, but it's doable. You can disable it by editing the Registry, which is a powerful tool that can be intimidating if you've never used it before.

To get started, you'll need to open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key and R key together, typing "regedit", and hitting Enter. This will give you permission to make changes to your PC.

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You can disable OneDrive by navigating to the following key: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows. Right-click the "Windows" key and select "New" > "Key", then name it "OneDrive".

To disable file syncing, you'll need to create a new DWORD (32-bit) value called "DisableFileSyncNGSC" and set its value data to 1.

Alternatively, if you're using Windows 10 Home, you can remove the OneDrive folder from the File Explorer's left sidebar by editing the Registry. You can do this by navigating to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\NameSpace. Double-click the "System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree" option and set it to 0.

Here's a summary of the steps to disable OneDrive:

  1. Open the Registry Editor
  2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
  3. Create a new key called "OneDrive"
  4. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value called "DisableFileSyncNGSC" and set its value data to 1

By following these steps, you should be able to disable OneDrive and prevent it from syncing your files.

Disable OneDrive

Disabling OneDrive can be a bit of a process, but it's doable. You can start by pressing the Windows key and R key together to open the Registry Editor.

To get to the right location, navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows. This is where you'll find the settings for OneDrive.

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Right-click on the Windows key and select New > Key to create a new folder called OneDrive. This will give you a place to store your OneDrive settings.

Next, right-click on the OneDrive key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value to create a new setting called DisableFileSyncNGSC. This is the key to disabling OneDrive's syncing feature.

Double-click on the DisableFileSyncNGSC key and change its value data to 1 to disable OneDrive's syncing feature. This will prevent OneDrive from syncing your files and folders.

Disable User Folder Backup

Disabling OneDrive's user folder backup can be a bit tricky, but it's doable with the right steps.

To start, you'll need to open the Registry editor by pressing Win + R, typing regedit, and hitting Enter.

The goal is to navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft key.

From there, right-click the Microsoft folder on the left and select New > Key from the menu.

Name the new key as OneDrive.

Now, right-click the OneDrive key you created and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Name the new value KFMBlockOptIn and double-click it to edit its value data, setting it to 1.

Alternatively, you can use a one-line command to modify the Registry correctly, or use two REG files.

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Removing from File Explorer

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Removing OneDrive from File Explorer can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. You can edit the Windows Registry to remove the OneDrive folder from the File Explorer's left sidebar. This method is also available on Windows Pro or Enterprise, but the Group Policy Editor method is a better solution for cleanly disabling OneDrive.

To get started, open the Registry Editor by hitting Start and typing "regedit". Press Enter to open Registry Editor and give it permission to make changes to your PC. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}. Alternatively, you can copy and paste this address into the Registry Editor's address bar.

Double-click the IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree option and change the value from 1 to 0. Click OK to save the change. If you're using a 64-bit version of Windows 10, you'll also need to navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Autocomplete.

After making the changes, the OneDrive folder will vanish from the File Explorer's sidebar immediately. If it doesn't, try rebooting your computer. To make things easier, you can also download ready-made REG files that will do the trick with just a couple of clicks.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Remove OneDrive From File Explorer Windows 10 in 2021

Here are the steps to download and use the REG files:

  1. Download the ZIP archive with two files from the link provided.
  2. Extract the downloaded archive to any folder, such as the desktop.
  3. Run the "disable onedrive user folder backup.reg" file to configure OneDrive to never upload your data to the cloud.
  4. Run the "restore defaults for onedrive user folder backup.reg" file to restore the default behavior.

Remember to back up your registry keys before making any changes, just in case something goes wrong. If you're using Windows 10 Home, you can also use the Registry Editor to remove the OneDrive folder.

Alternative Methods

If you're experiencing issues with OneDrive registry keys, you may want to consider alternative methods to resolve the problem.

One such method is to use the OneDrive troubleshooter, which can be accessed through the OneDrive website. This tool can help identify and fix common issues with OneDrive registry keys.

Alternatively, you can try resetting the OneDrive sync client to its default settings, which can be done by deleting the OneDrive folder and reinstalling the app.

Command Prompt Method

To disable OneDrive's known folders backup using the Command Prompt method, you'll need to run a single command as Administrator. This command involves the console REG.EXE utility and prevents OneDrive from moving your folders and files.

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First, open the Command Prompt as Administrator by pressing Win + R, typing cmd.exe in the Run box, and then pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter. This will give you an elevated command prompt window.

The command to disable the cloud backup offer is: reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive /v KFMBlockOptIn /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f. Simply type or paste this command into the elevated command prompt window and hit Enter.

You can now close the console. To undo the change, you can use the following command: reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive /v KFMBlockOptIn /f.

Download Reg Files

If you're looking for a quick fix, you can download ready-made REG files to disable or restore OneDrive's user folder backup feature.

You can download a ZIP archive with two REG files from the provided link and extract it to any folder, like your desktop.

One of the REG files, "disable onedrive user folder backup.reg", configures OneDrive to never upload your data to the cloud.

Intriguing read: Onedrive Backups

Credit: youtube.com, How to add a .REG file to your Windows Registry SILENTLY

The other REG file, "restore defaults for onedrive user folder backup.reg", restores the default behavior.

If you're using an edition of Windows that doesn't support Group Policy or only supports a limited set of policy options, you can apply this solution.

Here are the REG files you can use:

  1. Disable OneDrive user folder backup: disable onedrive user folder backup.reg
  2. Restore default behavior: restore defaults for onedrive user folder backup.reg

Frequently Asked Questions

How to enable OneDrive via registry?

To enable OneDrive via registry, press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive to set DisableFileSyncNGSC and DisableFileSync to 0. If this doesn't work, try reinstalling OneDrive.

Where do I find registry keys?

To find registry keys, navigate to the Registry Editor dialog box and look for folders starting with "HKEY_". This is where you'll find the Reg Keys you're looking for.

How do I remove OneDrive folders from the registry?

To remove OneDrive folders from the registry, open the Registry Editor and delete the registry keys located at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace with the names "OneDrive - oldcompany" and "Oldcompany". Be cautious, as modifying the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems.

Rosemary Boyer

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Rosemary Boyer is a skilled writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative content. With a focus on technical and educational topics, she has established herself as a reliable voice in the industry. Her writing has been featured in a variety of publications, covering subjects such as CSS Precedence, where she breaks down complex concepts into clear and concise language.

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