OneDrive comes pre-installed with Windows 11, and while many people find it useful for syncing files to the cloud, not everyone wants or needs it. Maybe you prefer Google Drive, Dropbox, or just saving files locally. The problem is, OneDrive tends to pop up everywhere—syncing your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders by default.
The good news? You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want it. In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to completely remove OneDrive from Windows 11, including uninstalling it, disabling startup, and clearing leftover files.
Why Remove OneDrive from Windows 11?
Before we dive into the steps, here are a few reasons why people choose to delete OneDrive:
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Free up space: OneDrive keeps sync folders locally, which can eat up storage.
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Avoid constant pop-ups: If you don’t sign in, it nags you to set it up.
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Simplify file management: Some users don’t want files automatically synced to the cloud.
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Switch to another service: Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, and others may be your preference.
Unlink OneDrive First (Optional but Recommended)
Before uninstalling, it’s smart to unlink your OneDrive account so you don’t lose important files.
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Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
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Select Settings.
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Go to the Account tab.
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Click Unlink this PC.
This stops OneDrive from syncing files before you remove it.
Uninstall OneDrive from Settings
The easiest way to delete OneDrive is through Windows Settings.
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Go to Apps > Installed apps.
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Scroll down and find Microsoft OneDrive.
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Click the three dots (…) next to it and select Uninstall.
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Confirm your choice.
That’s it—OneDrive will be removed from your system.
Uninstall OneDrive with Control Panel
If Settings doesn’t work, try the old-school method.
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Press Windows + S, type Control Panel, and open it.
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Click Programs > Programs and Features.
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Find Microsoft OneDrive in the list.
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Right-click it and choose Uninstall.
Uninstall OneDrive Using Command Prompt
For advanced users, Command Prompt offers another way.
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Press Windows + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
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Type the following command and press Enter:
This will uninstall OneDrive using Windows Package Manager.
Disable OneDrive from Starting Up
Even after uninstalling, sometimes OneDrive tries to start again if it wasn’t fully removed.
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Go to the Startup tab.
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Find Microsoft OneDrive, right-click, and select Disable.
Remove Leftover OneDrive Folders
OneDrive leaves behind empty folders even after removal. To clean them:
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Open File Explorer.
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Go to your C:\Users[YourName] folder.
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Delete the OneDrive folder if it’s still there.
Remove OneDrive from File Explorer Sidebar
You might notice the OneDrive shortcut still sitting in File Explorer’s left sidebar. To remove it:
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Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
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Navigate to:
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Find the OneDrive entry (usually
{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}). -
Right-click and delete it.
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Restart File Explorer.
⚠️ Be careful when editing the registry—deleting the wrong thing can cause problems.
Reinstall OneDrive (If You Change Your Mind)
If you ever want OneDrive back, it’s easy to reinstall.
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Go to the Microsoft Store and search for OneDrive.
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Download and install it.
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Sign in with your Microsoft account to sync again.
Conclusion
OneDrive can be a handy cloud service, but if it’s not for you, removing it from Windows 11 is straightforward. Whether you uninstall it through Settings, Control Panel, or Command Prompt, you can also clean up leftover folders and registry entries for a complete removal.
Your PC should now feel lighter, cleaner, and more in your control—no more pop-ups asking you to set up OneDrive.
FAQs
Q1: Will deleting OneDrive delete my files?
No, uninstalling OneDrive doesn’t delete your files stored on your PC or in the cloud. They remain safe.
Q2: Can I reinstall OneDrive later?
Yes, you can download it anytime from the Microsoft Store.
Q3: Is it safe to remove OneDrive?
Absolutely. It’s not required for Windows 11 to run smoothly.
Q4: How do I stop OneDrive from syncing without uninstalling it?
Right-click the OneDrive icon > Settings > Account > Unlink this PC.
Q5: Does OneDrive slow down Windows 11?
It usually doesn’t, but background syncing can use bandwidth and CPU resources. Removing it can improve performance for some users.