How to Uninstall Google Drive on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 16, 2025

Google Drive is a popular cloud storage solution, but there may be times when you want to uninstall it from Windows 11 — perhaps to free up space, troubleshoot syncing issues, or switch to a different cloud service.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to uninstall Google Drive on Windows 11, including removing leftover files and registry entries for a clean uninstall.

Summary — Key Takeaways

  • Google Drive can be uninstalled via Settings, Control Panel, or Command Prompt.

  • After uninstalling, remove leftover files for a clean system.

  • Signing out before uninstalling ensures your files remain safe in the cloud.

  • You can reinstall Google Drive anytime from the official website.

Step 1: Sign Out of Google Drive

Before uninstalling, make sure your files are synced and signed out:

  1. Click the Google Drive icon in the taskbar.

  2. Click the Settings (gear icon) → Preferences.

  3. Click Settings → Disconnect account.

  4. Confirm the action.

This ensures no data is lost during the uninstall process.

Step 2: Uninstall Google Drive via Settings

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Apps → Installed apps.

  3. Scroll down or search for Google Drive.

  4. Click the three-dot menu → Uninstall.

  5. Confirm by clicking Uninstall again.

💡 Tip: This is the most straightforward method and works for most users.

Step 3: Uninstall Google Drive via Control Panel

Alternatively, you can use the classic Control Panel:

  1. Press Win + R, type control, and press Enter.

  2. Go to Programs → Programs and Features.

  3. Find Google Drive in the list.

  4. Right-click it → Uninstall.

  5. Follow the prompts to remove Google Drive from your PC.

Step 4: Remove Leftover Files

Even after uninstalling, Google Drive may leave behind configuration files:

  1. Press Win + R, type %UserProfile%\Google Drive and press Enter.

  2. Delete any leftover files or folders.

  3. Navigate to %AppData% and %LocalAppData% and delete Google Drive folders if present.

💡 Tip: Be careful not to delete your synced cloud files — they remain safe in Google Drive online.

Step 5: Clean Registry Entries (Optional)

For advanced users, you can remove leftover registry entries:

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\Drive
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Google\Drive

  1. Delete the Drive folders carefully.

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can harm your system. Always backup the registry first.

Step 6: Restart Your PC

After uninstalling Google Drive and removing leftover files, restart your PC to ensure all changes take effect.

Troubleshooting: Google Drive Won’t Uninstall

Problem Solution
Google Drive still appears in apps Restart your PC and try uninstalling again.
Error during uninstall Close Google Drive from Task Manager and retry.
Files remain in AppData Manually delete leftover folders from %AppData% and %LocalAppData%.
Registry keys cannot be deleted Make sure you have administrator permissions.

Benefits of Uninstalling Google Drive

  • Free up storage space on your PC.

  • Resolve syncing issues with Google Drive.

  • Switch to alternative cloud services like OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud.

  • Clean up your system for better performance.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to uninstall Google Drive on Windows 11 step by step.

To recap:

  1. Sign out of Google Drive to protect your files.

  2. Uninstall via Settings or Control Panel.

  3. Remove leftover files from AppData and user folders.

  4. Optionally, clean registry entries for a full uninstall.

  5. Restart your PC to apply changes.

Uninstalling Google Drive is straightforward and ensures your system stays clean, freeing up resources while keeping your files safe in the cloud.

FAQs

1. Will uninstalling Google Drive delete my online files?
No, files remain safe in your Google Drive cloud account.

2. Can I reinstall Google Drive later?
Yes, download the latest version from the official Google Drive website.

3. Do I need to remove leftover files manually?
It’s optional but recommended for a clean system.

4. My uninstall button is greyed out. What should I do?
Close Google Drive from Task Manager and ensure you have administrator privileges.

5. Will removing registry entries improve performance?
It helps clean your system, but it’s optional. Only do it if you’re comfortable editing the registry.

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