OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage solution that comes pre-installed with Windows operating systems, including the latest Windows 11. It offers users a seamless way to back up and sync their files across devices. However, not everyone uses OneDrive, and some may prefer other cloud storage services or simply want to declutter their system. If you’re among those who’d rather not have OneDrive in your Windows 11 setup, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through the steps to disable or completely remove OneDrive from Windows 11.
Option 1: Unlinking OneDrive
If you merely want to stop OneDrive from syncing without completely removing it:
- Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (located on the bottom right of your screen).
- Click on “Settings.”
- Navigate to the “Account” tab.
- Click on “Unlink this PC” and then confirm.
- This will stop OneDrive from syncing with your device, but it will not remove the application.
Option 2: Disable OneDrive Startup
To stop OneDrive from launching at startup:
- Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC or CTRL + ALT + DELETE and select ‘Task Manager.’
- Navigate to the ‘Startup’ tab.
- Find ‘Microsoft OneDrive,’ right-click, and choose ‘Disable.’
Option 3: Remove OneDrive Completely
If you wish to completely remove OneDrive:
Press the Windows + X keys together and choose ‘Windows PowerShell (Admin)’ or ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’ from the menu.
In the prompt window, type the following command:
taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
This command will ensure that any OneDrive processes that are currently running are terminated.
Based on your system type (either 32-bit or 64-bit), enter one of the following commands:
For 32-bit:
%SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
For 64-bit:
%SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
Wait a few moments for the process to complete.
After following these steps, OneDrive should be completely removed from your system. However, the OneDrive folder and its contents will still remain on your PC, and you’ll have to delete them manually if you want to get rid of them.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to free up system resources, prefer another cloud storage solution, or just want to tidy up your computer, disabling or removing OneDrive can be achieved with a few simple steps. Always remember to back up any important files before making changes to your system.