You can remove OneDrive from your PC in a few different ways depending on how far you want to go: unlink it so it stops syncing, hide the folder so it’s out of sight, or uninstall the app completely. This guide walks through each option for Windows 10 and 11, plus Mac and mobile, and explains what happens to your files at every step.
Quick steps
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in your notification area, then choose Help and Settings.
- Select Settings, go to the Account tab, and choose Unlink this PC, then confirm with Unlink account.
- If you also want the app gone, go to Settings > Apps (or Add or remove programs), find Microsoft OneDrive, and select Uninstall.
Before you start
Unlinking or uninstalling OneDrive does not delete your files. Everything stays safe in the cloud and stays accessible by signing in at onedrive.com, even after you remove the app or account from your PC. Only follow the “permanently delete everything” method further down if you genuinely want to erase all of your OneDrive content.
On some versions of Windows, OneDrive is built in and can’t be fully uninstalled, only hidden. It’s worth knowing which version of Windows you have before you start, since the options differ slightly between Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 8.1, and older releases.
Unlink OneDrive on Windows 10 or 11
Unlinking is the easiest and safest way to stop using OneDrive without losing anything. It disconnects your account from this PC but leaves your files in the cloud.
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area on your taskbar.
- Select the Help and Settings icon, then choose Settings.
- Go to the Account tab.
- Select Unlink this PC, then confirm by selecting Unlink account.
Once unlinked, OneDrive stops syncing to this PC, but you can still open your files any time by signing in to onedrive.com.
Hide OneDrive on Windows 10 or 11
If your version of Windows doesn’t let you uninstall OneDrive outright, hiding it is the next best thing. This tucks it out of sight in File Explorer and stops the sync process from running.
- Unlink OneDrive first using the steps above.
- Open File Explorer, right-click OneDrive in the left-hand pane, and select Properties.
- On the General tab, next to Attributes, check the Hidden box, then confirm.
- Select the OneDrive icon in the notification area again, then select Quit OneDrive to remove it from the notification area.
Uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11 or Windows 10
To remove the OneDrive app entirely from a modern Windows PC, use the standard apps uninstaller.
- Select Start, type Programs, and select Add or remove programs from the results (this may also appear as Open installed apps).
- Under Apps & features, find and select Microsoft OneDrive.
- Select Uninstall.
- If prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, provide it to continue.
This removes the OneDrive app from your PC, but your files remain untouched in the cloud, accessible from onedrive.com or any other device where you’re signed in.
Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Windows Vista
On Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, OneDrive comes built into the operating system and cannot be uninstalled. Your only options on these versions are to unlink your account or hide the OneDrive folder as described above.
On Windows 7 or Windows Vista, you can uninstall the OneDrive desktop app the same way you’d remove any other program:
- Select Start, type Add Programs, and select Programs and Features from the results.
- Select Microsoft OneDrive, then select Uninstall.
- Provide an administrator password or confirmation if asked.
Note that support for the OneDrive desktop app has already ended on Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, and will end on Windows 10 version 21H2 and earlier in August 2026, so these environments won’t receive further OneDrive updates.
Remove OneDrive on Mac
On macOS, unlinking and uninstalling are handled separately from the Windows process.
- Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the Menu bar, click Help & Settings, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Account tab and select Unlink this Mac.
- To remove the app entirely, open Finder, find the OneDrive app, and drag it to the Trash.
Remove the OneDrive app on Android or iOS
On mobile devices, removing OneDrive just means uninstalling the app like any other.
Android:
- Open your app list.
- Tap and hold the OneDrive icon to open the menu.
- Select Uninstall.
iOS:
- Go to the Home Screen and tap and hold the OneDrive app icon.
- Tap the X that appears in the upper-left corner of the icon.
Permanently delete everything in OneDrive
If you actually want to erase all of your OneDrive content, not just remove the app, this is a separate and more drastic process. Files deleted from the OneDrive recycle bin this way cannot be recovered, so only do this if you’re certain.
- Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, select Settings, go to Accounts, and select Unlink this PC.
- Sign in to onedrive.com and open My Files.
- Select the tick box at the top of the file list to select everything, but uncheck any shared folders and your personal vault.
- Select Delete from the controls at the top of the page. For shared folders, select them and choose Remove shortcut instead.
- Open the OneDrive recycle bin, select Empty Recycle bin, and confirm with Yes.
- Back on your PC, open File Explorer, right-click your OneDrive folder, and select Delete.
- Finally, go to Settings > Apps > OneDrive and select Uninstall.
On Mac, the equivalent is to unlink under Settings > Account > Unlink this Mac, delete everything from onedrive.com the same way, then drag the OneDrive app to the Trash.
If it doesn’t work
The Uninstall option is greyed out or missing
If you’re on Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, OneDrive is part of the operating system and simply can’t be uninstalled. Use the hide method instead so it stays out of File Explorer and the notification area.
OneDrive keeps reappearing after you remove it
Make sure you unlinked your account before hiding or uninstalling, since an active sync connection can cause OneDrive to relaunch. If backup settings are still turned on for folders like Desktop or Documents, check your backup and sync settings so files stop routing through OneDrive automatically.
Files seem to have vanished after unlinking
Unlinking never deletes files, but it does stop your local OneDrive folder from syncing. Sign in to onedrive.com with the same Microsoft account to confirm your files are still there before assuming anything is missing.
Sync problems before you even get to removing OneDrive
If OneDrive was misbehaving before you tried to remove it, it’s worth ruling out a sync or sign-in issue first. See our guides on troubleshooting OneDrive backup issues or fixing OneDrive sign-in issues before you uninstall.
Frequently asked questions
What will happen if I remove OneDrive?
Unlinking or uninstalling OneDrive from your PC does not delete your files. They remain stored in the cloud and stay accessible by signing in to onedrive.com from any device. Only the separate “permanently delete everything” process actually erases your OneDrive content, and that can’t be undone once the recycle bin is emptied.
Why is it so hard to get rid of OneDrive?
OneDrive is built directly into some versions of Windows, including Windows 8.1, so it can’t be uninstalled on those systems, only hidden and disconnected. On Windows 10 and 11 it’s a standard app that can be uninstalled, but because it’s tied into File Explorer and backup settings, simply closing the app or deleting the folder isn’t enough on its own.
How do I stop everything from going into OneDrive?
Unlink your account from the PC, which stops files from syncing to OneDrive automatically. You can also choose which folders sync to your computer, or review your backup settings so things like Desktop and Documents save locally instead of being routed into OneDrive.
Is it a good idea to turn off OneDrive?
It depends on how you use your PC. If you rely on cloud backup, multi-device sync, or file sharing, turning it off means losing those conveniences and switching to manual backups instead. If you don’t use those features, or you prefer another cloud service, unlinking or uninstalling OneDrive is a reasonable and safe choice, since it won’t affect files you already have stored in the cloud.
Related guides
- Troubleshooting OneDrive Backup Issues on Windows 11
- How to Fix OneDrive Sign-in Issues on Windows 11
- How to Fix OneDrive Storage Full Error on Windows 11
- Troubleshooting OneDrive Selective Sync Issues on Windows 11
Leave a Reply