How to Deactivate OneDrive

Table of contents

Want to stop OneDrive? Here’s how:

Unlink OneDrive: Disconnect your PC from OneDrive without losing files online.
- Go to OneDrive settings → Account tab → Unlink this PC.
Pause Syncing: Temporarily halt syncing for 2, 8, or 24 hours.
- Right-click the OneDrive icon → Pause syncing → Choose duration.
Unsync Folders: Free up local storage by unsyncing specific folders.
- OneDrive settings → Account tab → Choose folders → Uncheck folders.
Uninstall OneDrive: Fully remove OneDrive from your PC.
- Settings → Apps → Find OneDrive → Uninstall.

Pro Tip: Use Latenode to automate file management and sync tasks across other platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox.

Take control of your files today!

How Do I Get Rid of OneDrive?

OneDrive

How to Unlink OneDrive from Your PC

Unlinking OneDrive from your PC stops the connection between your local folders and the cloud, while keeping all your files accessible online through OneDrive.com ^[1]^[2]. This gives you control over which files sync to your computer without losing access to your data.

It’s important to understand how file availability changes after unlinking. Files marked as "Available on this device" will remain stored locally, while those labeled "Available when online" will only be accessible via the OneDrive web interface ^[3]. To avoid losing access to important files, ensure they are downloaded to your device before proceeding.

"You won't lose files or data by unlinking OneDrive from your computer. You can always access your files by signing in to OneDrive.com" ^[2].

Below are the steps to disconnect OneDrive from your PC.

Steps to Unlink OneDrive

Unlinking OneDrive is a simple process that can be completed in just a few clicks using the system tray icon.

Locate the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray (you may need to click the upward arrow to reveal hidden icons).
Right-click the icon, select Help & Settings, and then choose Settings.
Navigate to the Account tab and click Unlink this PC.
Confirm your choice by clicking Unlink account ^[1].

Once completed, synchronization will stop, but the OneDrive folder structure will remain on your computer. If you need more control over which files sync, consider the next method.

How to Unsync Specific Folders

If you don’t want to unlink your entire OneDrive account but want to free up local storage, you can stop syncing specific folders while keeping them accessible online ^[4]. This approach is ideal for managing storage without disrupting your cloud access.

Open OneDrive Settings by clicking the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, then selecting Help & Settings and choosing Settings.
Go to the Account tab and click Choose folders.
In the folder selection dialog, uncheck the folders you no longer want to sync locally and click OK ^[4].

The unchecked folders will be removed from your computer but will still be available on OneDrive.com. However, some folders, such as Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and your Personal Vault, cannot be unsynced, as they are essential for PC functionality ^[4].

"If you uncheck a folder you are syncing to your computer, the folder will be removed from your computer, but the folder and its contents will still be available online" ^[4].

How to Pause OneDrive Syncing

There are times when you might need to pause OneDrive syncing, whether to save bandwidth, deal with a slow internet connection, or troubleshoot syncing issues. Pausing the sync temporarily halts file updates between your device and the cloud. This can be especially helpful if you're on a metered network or experiencing sluggish connectivity. OneDrive also automatically pauses syncing when your PC enters battery saver mode or connects to a metered network ^[5]. Here's how you can quickly pause OneDrive sync.

If you encounter sync problems, such as files taking too long to process, pausing and then resuming the sync can often resolve the issue ^[6].

While syncing is paused, local changes won't be uploaded to the cloud, and updates from the cloud won't be downloaded to your device. However, you can continue working with your local files as usual - the pause only stops the synchronization process.

Steps to Pause OneDrive Sync

Find the OneDrive icon: Look for the OneDrive icon in the system tray, located at the bottom-right corner of your screen. If it's not immediately visible, click the upward arrow to reveal hidden icons.
Right-click the icon: From the menu that appears, choose how long you want to pause syncing - options include 2, 8, or 24 hours.
Confirm the pause: Make sure the OneDrive icon in your notification area now shows "Paused."
For multiple accounts: If you use both personal and business accounts, you'll need to pause syncing for each account individually.

Once the pause period ends, syncing will automatically resume. Alternatively, you can manually restart the sync by clicking the paused icon and selecting the resume option.

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How to Uninstall OneDrive Completely

If pausing or unlinking OneDrive isn't enough, you can fully uninstall it to stop file syncing permanently and free up system resources. Before starting, make sure to unlink your account and stop any active backups to avoid potential data loss.

Your files stored in the cloud will remain accessible online, but you’ll lose local access through the OneDrive app. If OneDrive is syncing folders like Desktop, Pictures, and Documents, stop those backups first to ensure your files are safely stored in their original locations.

To prepare, open OneDrive settings, go to the Backup tab, click Manage Backup, and stop backups for each synced folder. Verify that your files have been restored to their default locations before moving forward.

Once your folders are ready, you can choose one of the following methods to completely remove OneDrive.

Steps to Uninstall OneDrive

For Windows 10 and 11, the easiest way to uninstall OneDrive is through the Settings menu:

Press Win + I to open Settings, then navigate to Apps and select Installed Apps (or Apps & Features on older versions of Windows).
Use the search bar to find "OneDrive."
Locate Microsoft OneDrive in the list, click the three dots next to it (or select the app name in older interfaces), and choose Uninstall. Confirm the action by clicking Uninstall again.

Alternatively, you can use the Control Panel:

Open Control Panel, then click Programs followed by Programs and Features.
Find Microsoft OneDrive in the list, select it, and click Uninstall.

Final Cleanup Steps

After uninstalling OneDrive, some residual files and settings might remain. Follow these steps to clean up:

Remove leftover folders: Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]. Locate the OneDrive folder, back up any necessary files, and delete it.
Optional: Clean the registry: Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Use Ctrl + F to search for "OneDrive" entries, and carefully delete related keys. Always back up your registry before making any changes.

To prevent OneDrive from reinstalling through Windows updates, you can disable it using the Group Policy Editor (note: this tool is not available in Windows Home editions):

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive.
Double-click Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage, set it to Enabled, and restart your computer.

Lastly, keep in mind that uninstalling OneDrive does not automatically change the default save locations in Microsoft Office applications. You may need to manually adjust these settings to ensure your documents are saved locally.

Using Latenode for Advanced File Management

Latenode

Once you've adjusted your OneDrive settings or even removed it entirely, Latenode offers a powerful way to handle file management tasks automatically. Whether you're looking to organize files across multiple platforms, automate backups, or process documents with AI, Latenode steps in as a versatile solution. Its ability to connect with over 300 apps ensures you can create workflows tailored to your needs, even without relying on OneDrive's built-in tools.

Automate Backups to Other Cloud Services

If you've uninstalled OneDrive, safeguarding your files becomes a top priority. Latenode simplifies this by enabling automated backups to other cloud storage platforms like Google Cloud Storage, Dropbox, and Amazon S3.

With its user-friendly visual interface, you can set up backups without needing advanced coding skills. For example, you can create workflows that monitor specific folders or pull data from apps, then automatically transfer those files to your preferred cloud storage service. This ensures your files are always secure and accessible, no matter where they're stored.

Latenode also supports advanced customization during the backup process. Thanks to its usage-based pricing and JavaScript node compatibility, you can tailor data transformations to suit your specific requirements. Beyond backups, Latenode makes it easy to synchronize folders across multiple platforms, keeping your files organized and up-to-date.

Sync Folders Across Platforms

Even without OneDrive, you might still need to keep certain folders synchronized across various services. Latenode enables seamless folder synchronization between platforms like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and more.

To set up synchronization, you simply connect your Microsoft OneDrive account using Latenode's integration library. From there, you can configure actions such as file uploads or downloads. For example, you might create a new scenario in Latenode, set Microsoft OneDrive as the trigger node, authenticate your account, and add nodes for other applications you want to sync with. Once activated, this workflow ensures your files stay consistent across connected platforms.

Automate File Processing and Movement

Latenode goes beyond basic backup and synchronization tasks, offering advanced workflows for analyzing, transforming, and routing files - even if OneDrive isn't active.

With built-in AI capabilities, Latenode can analyze files, extract data, and summarize content automatically. For instance, you can design workflows that process documents as they arrive in cloud storage, extract key details, and route them to appropriate destinations based on their metadata or content. This is especially valuable for organizations handling large volumes of documents, as it automates the entire file lifecycle.

Imagine a scenario where files are analyzed by AI models for content classification, automatically moved to relevant folders, and integrated with tools like CRM systems for further use. Latenode also supports custom processing logic through JavaScript and NPM modules, allowing you to address specialized file-handling needs.

"Limitless automation integrations no matter what your use case. The AI javascript code generator node is a life saver..." - Francisco de Paula S., Web Developer Market Research ^[7]

The platform's visual workflow builder caters to users with varying technical expertise, offering both no-code and low-code options. Whether you're automating simple file movements based on naming conventions or leveraging machine learning for complex document analysis, Latenode equips you with the tools to streamline these processes.

Trusted by over 900,000 developers and businesses worldwide, Latenode has demonstrated its ability to manage large-scale file operations. Its pricing starts at $5 per month for basic plans and scales up to enterprise options capable of handling millions of scenario runs, making it a practical choice for individuals and organizations alike ^[8].

Conclusion

Take control of OneDrive on your Windows PC with three straightforward options: unlinking, pausing sync, or uninstalling. Unlinking disconnects your PC from OneDrive but keeps your files safe in the cloud. Pausing sync is a temporary fix, ideal for managing data on metered connections or during troubleshooting. Uninstalling fully removes the app from your system while still preserving access to your files online.

Each of these methods puts you in charge of your OneDrive setup, while also opening the door to more advanced solutions.

For those looking to go beyond basic file management, Latenode offers a powerful way to streamline and automate file workflows. Whether you need to manage local sync or automate file transfers across platforms, Latenode complements your OneDrive setup with its extensive app integrations and AI-driven workflows. With Latenode, you can build custom backup systems, synchronize folders across multiple platforms, and handle complex file processing tasks - all without relying solely on OneDrive's built-in tools.

Thanks to its usage-based pricing and 99% uptime, Latenode is a reliable choice for both individuals and businesses seeking efficient and flexible data workflow solutions.

FAQs

What happens to my files if I disconnect OneDrive from my PC?

When you disconnect OneDrive from your PC, the files already saved on your computer remain intact and fully accessible. However, these files will stop syncing with your OneDrive account. This means any updates or changes made to the local files won’t reflect in your OneDrive storage until the account is reconnected.

If you need access to your OneDrive files during this time, you can still sign in to your account through the OneDrive website and view or manage them online.

Can I reinstall OneDrive after removing it, and will my files still be safe?

Yes, you can reinstall OneDrive after uninstalling it, and your files will still be safe. Removing OneDrive from your device doesn’t touch your files - they remain securely stored in the cloud. You can always access them by logging into your OneDrive account online. After reinstalling OneDrive on your computer, it will sync your files again, allowing you to access them locally.

What happens to my files if I uninstall OneDrive, and how can I keep them secure and accessible?

If you decide to uninstall OneDrive, rest assured that your files stored in the cloud remain safe and accessible. You can always log in to OneDrive.com with your account to retrieve or manage your files. Removing the app simply takes it off your PC - it doesn’t delete your cloud-stored files.

To keep your files secure and easily accessible, consider these steps:

Unlink OneDrive instead of uninstalling: This option stops the syncing process without removing the app. Your files will still be available locally (if they’ve already synced) and online.
Back up important files manually: For added peace of mind, save copies of critical files to an external drive or another cloud service.

By taking these precautions, your data remains protected, and you can reconnect or access it online whenever needed.