Uninstalling OneDrive from Windows 10: A Complete How-To Tutorial

Getting Rid of OneDrive on Windows 10

So, OneDrive is taking up space and you’d rather it just disappear? No worries — it’s a bit of a process, like peeling an onion, but not quite as satisfying. Start by disconnecting your account, then uninstall the app, and finally, tinker with the registry to prevent it from making a comeback. Once you’ve got this sorted, your system’ll be leaner and free from its clutches.

First Up: Disconnect Your OneDrive Account

Open OneDrive and look for that little cloud icon in the system tray near the clock. Right-click it, select Settings, then click Unlink this PC. It’s best to do this first — if not, OneDrive might just start syncing again like nothing happened, which can be a bit much.
If you’re after a shortcut, you can open Command Prompt and run: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /unlink. Quick and easy.

Next: Head to Control Panel

Now, open the Start menu and type “Control Panel.” When it appears, give it a click. Depending on your setup, you’ll see Programs or Programs and Features. This is where you can remove applications.

Find and Uninstall OneDrive

Scroll through the list until you see “Microsoft OneDrive.” Right-click it and select Uninstall. Too easy, right? If that doesn’t do the trick, you can also remove it via PowerShell or Command Prompt with these commands:

PowerShell (run as Administrator):

Get-AppxPackage *OneDrive* | Remove-AppxPackage

Or from Command Prompt:

taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
rd "%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive" /Q /S
rd "%programfiles%\Microsoft\OneDrive" /Q /S

This ensures all the leftover files are wiped out, especially if the uninstall didn’t finish cleanly.

Final Step: Clear Out Registry Entries

If you want to be thorough (and stop OneDrive from coming back in the future), it’s wise to tidy up the registry. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter. Once in Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive. Deleting these keys helps stop reinstallation issues.
Also, check for these other keys and delete if present:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OneDrive

Be careful here — editing the registry can cause problems if done incorrectly. Back it up first if you’re unsure.

Extra Tips for a Smooth OneDrive Removal

Before you go ahead, back up any important files — better safe than sorry.
If you’re worried about OneDrive reinstalling after a Windows update, you can block it via Group Policy or tweak the registry:

• Open Group Policy Editor with Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
• Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive.
• Enable Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.
• Alternatively, set HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive with DisableFileSyncNGSC set to 1.

Check your Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to make sure no OneDrive processes are hiding in the background. If issues persist, tools like CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller can help tidy things up — just ensure they’re downloaded from reputable sources.

Common Questions About Removing OneDrive

What happens to my files if I remove OneDrive?

Your files will stay on your PC, so no worries there. They won’t sync anymore, though, which means no automatic cloud updates. If you still want online access, you’ll need to log in via onedrive.live.com.

Can I reinstall OneDrive later?

Absolutely. You can grab it from the Microsoft Store or download directly from the official OneDrive download page. Installing via the command line is an option too:

PowerShell (run as Administrator):

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=237221" -OutFile "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDriveSetup.exe"
Start-Process "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDriveSetup.exe" /silent

Will removing OneDrive speed up my PC?

Potentially, yes. As OneDrive can consume bandwidth and CPU resources during syncing, removing it might make your system a little snappier — especially if you’re on an older machine or have a slow connection.

How do I stop OneDrive from reinstalling after a Windows update?

Disabling registry settings and Group Policy options, like DisableFileSyncNGSC, will help prevent it from coming back. Regularly check these settings to keep OneDrive at bay.

Is this method suitable for other versions of Windows too?

The steps are similar across most Windows 10 and Windows 11 setups, but some details might vary. The general approach — unlink, uninstall, clean registry — remains consistent.

Quick Recap

1. Unlink your OneDrive account to stop it syncing.
2. Head to Programs and Features in Control Panel or use PowerShell commands to uninstall it.
3. Clear any remaining registry entries using regedit.

Final Thoughts on Removing OneDrive

Getting rid of OneDrive on Windows 10 can free up space and potentially boost performance, especially if you don’t rely on cloud backup. Just remember to unlink, uninstall, and tidy up the registry so it doesn’t creep back in. Removing auto-syncing is handy — unless you need the cloud backup. Reinstalling later is straightforward, so this is about tailoring your system to suit you best.