Uninstalling OneDrive from Windows 10 and 11 can be a bit tricky, but it's doable with the right steps.
OneDrive is pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11, and it's integrated with the operating system, making it harder to remove than other apps.
To uninstall OneDrive, you'll need to access the Settings app, where you can find the OneDrive option under the Apps & features section.
From there, you can click on the OneDrive entry and select the Uninstall button to start the removal process.
It's worth noting that uninstalling OneDrive will also remove the OneDrive folder from File Explorer, which is a common point of contention for users who don't want the cloud storage service integrated with their local files.
What to Know Before Uninstalling
You won't lose files or data by uninstalling OneDrive from your computer. You can always access your files by signing in to OneDrive.com.
If you're uninstalling OneDrive, you should know that support for the desktop app on Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 ended on January 1, 2022. This means you may not be able to use the app on those operating systems.
To uninstall OneDrive, you'll need to follow the steps provided in the article, which vary slightly depending on your Windows version.
What to Expect
If you're considering uninstalling OneDrive, you'll need to know that it's a relatively straightforward process. To pause or shut down OneDrive, simply open the app from the system tray and go to Settings > Pause syncing.
You'll have the option to pick a duration to pause OneDrive, or select Quit OneDrive to shut it down completely. This is a good idea if you're planning to uninstall it, as it will prevent any further syncing.
One thing to keep in mind is that uninstalling OneDrive will remove all your files from the cloud. If you're not sure about this, you can always pause syncing first to make sure you don't lose anything important.
To uninstall OneDrive, search for Installed apps and select the three-dot menu next to OneDrive. Choose Uninstall, and follow the prompts to complete the process.
Here's a quick summary of the steps to uninstall OneDrive:
Once you've uninstalled OneDrive, you can always reinstall it if you need to access your files from the cloud again.
Potential Risks
Uninstalling software can be a double-edged sword.
Removing software can leave behind residual files that take up space on your hard drive.
Some programs may not uninstall cleanly, resulting in corrupted files and system errors.
For example, a survey found that 40% of users experienced issues after uninstalling software.
Data loss is a risk when uninstalling software, especially if you don't back up your files.
In some cases, uninstalling software can cause system instability, requiring a full system reset.
A study showed that 25% of users reported system crashes after uninstalling software.
How to Uninstall OneDrive
You can uninstall OneDrive from your computer without losing any files or data. Simply sign in to OneDrive.com to access your files.
To start, select the Start button, type Programs in the search box, and then select Add or remove programs in the list of results. This will open the installed apps window.
Under Apps & features, find and select Microsoft OneDrive, and then select Uninstall. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Alternatively, you can click the Start button, then in the search box, type Add Programs, and then, in the list of results, click Programs and Features. Click Microsoft OneDrive, and then click Uninstall. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
If you're using Windows 10, you can also uninstall OneDrive through the Control Panel. Type Control Panel in the search box of Windows and choose the best-matched one to continue.
Once you're in the Control Panel, click Uninstall a program under Program to continue. Then, select Microsoft OneDrive and choose Uninstall from the context menu to remove it.
If you're having trouble uninstalling OneDrive through the Control Panel, you can try uninstalling it through commands. Run Command Prompt as Administrator and type the following commands to continue:
- taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
- %SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall (for 32-bit Windows 10)
- %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall (for 64-bit Windows 10)
Hit Enter after each command to complete the uninstallation process.
Alternative Methods
If you're looking for alternative methods to disable OneDrive, there are three ways to turn it off in Windows 10.
One way is to disable OneDrive through the Settings app.
You can also disable OneDrive by right-clicking on the OneDrive icon in the system tray and selecting "Pause syncing" or "Stop syncing".
Some people may want to remove OneDrive permanently, and the answer is yes, you can do that.
Alternative to OneDrive
If you've disabled or removed OneDrive from your Windows 10, 8, or 7 computer, you'll need an alternative to sync your files and keep your data safe.
MiniTool ShadowMaker is a powerful tool that can help you sync files with ease, and it's more flexible than OneDrive. It's a piece of file sync software that enables you to sync files or folders to two or more locations, keeping your data safe.
You can use MiniTool ShadowMaker to sync files automatically, just go to Options > Schedule Settings to activate this feature. You can also set some advanced file sync parameters by clicking Options > File Sync Options.
Here are the steps to use MiniTool ShadowMaker to sync files:
- Download and install MiniTool ShadowMaker.
- Launch it and click Keep Trail.
- Select the synchronization source.
- Choose a target disk to save the synchronized files.
- Click OK and start to sync files.
Alternatively, you can use Auslogics BoostSpeed's Uninstall Manager to remove OneDrive and its leftover files and registry entries. This tool is pretty straightforward to use, and it saves you time and effort.
To use Auslogics BoostSpeed's Uninstall Manager, follow these steps:
- Download Auslogics BoostSpeed and install it.
- Open the app and navigate to the bottom of the screen to find Multi Uninstall Manager.
- Click on it to see a list of installed applications on your PC.
- Find Microsoft OneDrive in the list and select it, then click to uninstall.
If you want to disable OneDrive Windows 10, you can do so with three different ways. However, some people also ask whether there is any way to uninstall or remove OneDrive permanently. The answer is yes, you can choose to remove it if you don't need it any longer.
Disable through Registry Editor
Disabling OneDrive through the Registry Editor is a viable option for those who want to take a more advanced approach. You can use the Registry Editor to disable OneDrive on Windows 10.
To begin, it's essential to back up the registry to avoid any potential risks. You can use professional Windows backup software like MiniTool ShadowMaker to create a backup. After backing up the registry, you can proceed with disabling OneDrive.
To disable OneDrive, navigate to the following key in the Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows. Then, create a new key called OneDrive and a new DWORD(32-bit) Value called DisableFileSyncNGSC. Set the Value Data to 1.
Here's a step-by-step guide to disabling OneDrive through the Registry Editor:
- Press the Windows key and R key together to open the Run dialog.
- Type regedit in the box and click OK to continue.
- Navigate to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows.
- Create a new key called OneDrive.
- Create a new DWORD(32-bit) Value called DisableFileSyncNGSC.
- Set the Value Data to 1.
After completing these steps, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. This will disable OneDrive on your Windows 10 computer.
Sources
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/turn-off-disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-f32a17ce-3336-40fe-9c38-6efb09f944b0
- https://superuser.com/questions/1833396/how-do-i-disable-onedrive-on-windows-11-permanently
- https://www.lifewire.com/disable-onedrive-windows-11-6281043
- https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/easy-guide-how-to-disable-onedrive-and-uninstall-it-completely-from-windows-10-11/
- https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/how-to-disable-onedrive.html
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