How to Disable OneDrive in Windows 10

Edited 5 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service that integrates with Windows 10. It allows users to store files in the cloud and access them from anywhere. While OneDrive is convenient for many, some users don't want to use it for various reasons, such as preferring another cloud service, wanting to save system resources, or simply not needing OneDrive's functionalities. Disabling OneDrive can also help avoid any accidental leak of sensitive data in the cloud. In this detailed guide, we will discuss different ways to disable OneDrive on Windows 10 system. Each method has its own peculiarities, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Method 1: Unlink OneDrive account

A straightforward way to disable OneDrive without uninstalling it is to unlink your Microsoft account from it. This stops OneDrive from synchronizing files, effectively disabling its functionality while the app remains on your system in case you want to use it later.

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, typically found in the lower-right corner of your screen.
2. Select Settings from the context menu.
3. In the Microsoft OneDrive dialog box, go to the Account tab.
4. Click the Unlink this PC option. This action will stop OneDrive from syncing files to your computer.
5. You will see a confirmation dialog. Click Unlink Account to confirm your decision.

Once that's done, OneDrive will no longer sync files to your computer until you sign back in. The OneDrive folder remains on your system, but if you're confident that no essential files are stored there, you can choose to ignore or delete it.

Method 2: Use the Group Policy Editor

Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool for changing system settings in Windows. It can be used to effectively disable OneDrive, especially in a work or school environment. Note that this tool is only available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → OneDrive.
4. On the right-side pane, double-click Prevent using OneDrive for file storage.
5. Select the Enabled option, then click Apply, followed by OK.

Setting this policy to Enabled will cause OneDrive to stop working on the machine completely. You will no longer see the OneDrive icon in the system tray, and OneDrive will no longer run at startup. This action can also be reversed; simply follow the steps above and set the option to Not Configured or Disabled if you want to enable OneDrive again.

Method 3: Use the Registry Editor

You can also disable OneDrive through the Windows Registry. This method is more technical and should be used with caution, as incorrect changes to the registry can cause system problems. It is advisable to back up your registry before making any changes.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. If prompted by UAC (User Account Control), click Yes.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive.
4. If OneDrive key doesn't exist, you'll need to create it. Right-click Windows in the left pane, choose New, and then choose Key. Name the new key OneDrive.
5. In the OneDrive key, right-click on the right-side pane, select New, and then select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name the new DWORD DisableFileSyncNGSC and set its value to 1 by double-clicking on it and entering a number in the Value data field.
7. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

This change stops OneDrive from running on your system. It will not sync files, and the OneDrive icon will disappear from File Explorer.

Method 4: Uninstall OneDrive via Windows Settings

If you don't want to use OneDrive at all and want to remove the software from your system, you can uninstall it through Windows Settings. This method is similar to removing any other program from your system.

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to Apps, then select Apps & features from the sidebar.
3. In the search box, type OneDrive to find the app.
4. Click on Microsoft OneDrive, and then click on the Uninstall button.
5. You may see a confirmation dialog to confirm the action. Click Uninstall again to proceed.

Note that uninstalling will completely remove OneDrive from your system. If you later decide you want to use OneDrive again, you'll need to reinstall it, which is possible by downloading it from the Microsoft website or by re-enabling it if it comes with your Windows reinstallation.

Method 5: Use Command Prompt to uninstall OneDrive

For those who prefer command-line operations, OneDrive can also be uninstalled using the Command Prompt. This method can quickly remove OneDrive without going through the Windows UI interface.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator by pressing Windows + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Type the following command to stop any OneDrive process: taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe.
3. Next, to uninstall OneDrive, enter the following commands, depending on your system architecture:
   - For 64-bit systems: %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
   - For 32-bit systems: %SystemRoot%\System32\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall
4. Press Enter to execute the command. When done, OneDrive should be uninstalled from your computer.

This will remove OneDrive from the system. Again, if there is a need to use OneDrive later, it will be necessary to reinstall it from the Microsoft website.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you want to stop using OneDrive temporarily or permanently, Windows 10 provides multiple methods to disable or uninstall the app, catering to different needs and user expertise levels. The method you choose will depend on your preference for disabling or uninstalling, as well as your level of comfort with tools like Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor. It is important to remember that changes to system settings should be made with caution, especially when using features associated with Group Policy or Registry Editor, as incorrect settings can affect your system's performance and stability. If necessary, always confirm that your data is safe and backed up before proceeding with these changes.

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