OneDrive comes built into Windows 11, but it’s an ordinary app you can uninstall. Removing it stops syncing and takes its icon out of the taskbar, while your files in the cloud stay safe in your Microsoft account. The key step is to make sure your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures are stored on the PC before you uninstall, so nothing seems to vanish.
Quick answer
Stop folder backup in OneDrive settings, make sure your files are downloaded, then go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Microsoft OneDrive, select the three dots, and choose Uninstall.
Step 1: Bring your files back to the PC
- Click the OneDrive cloud icon on the taskbar, select the gear icon, and open Settings.
- On the Sync and back up tab, select Manage back up and turn off Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and any other folders.
- Choose to keep the files only on this PC when asked.
- Open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer, right-click any files with a cloud icon, and select Always keep on this device so they download.
Files you leave only in OneDrive stay available at onedrive.com after uninstalling.
Step 2: Unlink this PC
In OneDrive Settings, open the Account tab and select Unlink this PC. This signs OneDrive out without touching your cloud files.
Step 3: Uninstall OneDrive
- Press Windows+I and go to Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for OneDrive.
- Select the three dots next to Microsoft OneDrive and choose Uninstall, then confirm.
Using Terminal instead: run winget uninstall Microsoft.OneDrive.
Step 4: Tidy up
- The OneDrive entry may stay in File Explorer’s left pane for a while. It usually disappears after a restart; if not, it’s harmless.
- The old OneDrive folder in your user folder stays put with any files that were downloaded. Move anything you want to keep, then delete the empty folder.
- Check that your Desktop and Documents folders point to C:\Users\YourName\Desktop and Documents. Right-click the folder in File Explorer, choose Properties > Location, and select Restore Default if needed.
Turn off vs. remove: which is right?
| Goal | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Stop syncing for now | Pause syncing or quit OneDrive |
| Keep OneDrive but stop folder backup | Turn off Manage back up |
| Stop OneDrive starting with Windows | Turn off its startup in Settings > Apps > Startup |
| Remove it completely | Uninstall (this guide) |
For the gentler options, see how to turn off OneDrive on Windows 11.
Troubleshooting
- OneDrive isn’t in Installed apps: Search for “OneDrive” in the list rather than scrolling; it may appear as Microsoft OneDrive. On some PCs it’s installed per user, so sign in as the account that uses it.
- Uninstall fails or OneDrive comes back: Quit OneDrive from its taskbar icon first, then try again. Windows updates can occasionally reinstall it; uninstall it again if so.
- Files show a red X or sync errors before uninstalling: Let OneDrive finish syncing, or copy the files somewhere else on the PC first.
How to reinstall OneDrive
Download OneDrive from Microsoft’s OneDrive download page, or run winget install Microsoft.OneDrive in Terminal. Sign in, and your cloud files appear again.
Frequently asked questions
Will uninstalling OneDrive delete my files?
No. Files in the cloud stay in your Microsoft account, and files already downloaded stay on the PC. Only “online-only” files disappear from the PC until you download them from onedrive.com.
Why did my desktop files disappear?
Folder backup moved them into the OneDrive folder. Look in C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\Desktop, or sign in at onedrive.com and download them. Moving files back to the PC is covered in moving files from OneDrive to your PC.
Can I remove OneDrive on a work PC?
Often not. Organizations may require OneDrive and reinstall it automatically. Ask your IT team.
Does Microsoft 365 still work without OneDrive?
Yes. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint still open and save files on your PC. To save files locally by default, see saving files to your PC instead of OneDrive.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.