Turn Off, Disable, Or Uninstall OneDrive On Windows

Overview

OneDrive allows you to save files and data to the Cloud. In addition, OneDrive also allows you to share files, and sync files across Android, IOS mobile devices, Windows or macOS computers. Windows 10 comes with the OneDrive app preinstalled and ready to go, so it is not necessary for you to download and install it. And the synchronized files are saved on the OneDrive folder in File Explorer by default.

However, you might consider disabling the app for various reasons, including preventing constant file syncs, cleaning up the Windows file explorer or protecting your data from certain types of cybercrime. This article will walk you through turning off, disabling, and uninstalling Microsoft OneDrive.

Although these methods of disabling the app are all intended for OneDrive on Windows 10, there are comparable processes for macOS and other Windows versions.

Method to Turn off OneDrive

Method 1: Disable OneDrive Through Settings

1. Click the OneDrive icon to open OneDrive.
2. In the context menu, choose More > Settings.
3. In the popup window, go to Settings and uncheck the option Start OneDrive automatically when I sign into Windows.
4. Then go to the Account tab, and click Unlink this PC.
5. After that, you can see a popup window that requires you to enter your email address to stop OneDrive from syncing Windows 10.

Method 2: Disable OneDrive Through Group Policy

Besides, you can stop OneDrive syncing Windows 10 through group policy.

1. Press the Win + R keys together to open the Run dialog.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the box and click OK to continue.
3. In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the OneDrive folder according to the path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive
4. Then double-click the item Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.
5. In the popup window, choose Enabled and click Apply and OK to confirm the changes.
6. When you have finished all steps, restart your computer. Although OneDrive is still on File Explorer, it is not available now.

Method to Uninstall OneDrive

Uninstalling OneDrive is the most permanent solution to stopping it from backing up your files. On some versions of Windows, you will only be able to Disable the application, but it will have the same result: OneDrive will no longer operate.

1. Type Programs in the search box and select Add or remove programs in the list of results.
2. Scroll down the list until you find Microsoft OneDrive and select the three-dot menu icon on the right-hand side, then select Uninstall.
3. When asking for confirmation that This app and its related info will be uninstalled, select Uninstall again.

Conclusion

This article has introduced what OneDrive is and also showed you how to turn off, disable or uninstall OneDrive with three methods. If you also want OneDrive not to work, try them now!