How to Remove OneDrive from Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Steps to Fully Uninstall OneDrive from Windows 11

Looking to get rid of OneDrive on Windows 11? No worries; it’s pretty straightforward once you know the steps. The key is to prevent it from launching at startup, uninstall the app, and tidy up any remaining files or settings. Get it right, and you’ll have a cleaner system with no more OneDrive clutter.

Stopping OneDrive from Launching at Startup

First up, you want to prevent OneDrive from opening automatically every time you start your PC. Head to the Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Task Manager, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Once open, click the Startup tab—you’ll see all programs set to run at startup. Find OneDrive in the list, select it, and click Disable. That way, it won’t hog your system resources every boot. It’s a little tedious, but it does the trick.

Alternatively, you can go into Settings > Apps > Startup and toggle it off from there.

Uninstalling OneDrive Completely

Next, it’s time to uninstall the app itself. Click on the Start menu, then go to Settings. Navigate to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & Features depending on your version). Scroll down until you find Microsoft OneDrive, click on it, and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts, and Bob’s your uncle—OneDrive will be gone. This also shuts down any background processes that might be running in the background, freeing up RAM. If the uninstallation gets stubborn, you can also open PowerShell as an administrator and run:

Get-AppxPackage *OneDrive* | Remove-AppxPackage

Cleaning Up Remaining Files and Folders

After uninstalling, some leftover files may still be lurking around. Open File Explorer and go to This PC or My Computer. Then head to your user folder, usually on the C: drive, like C:\Users\YourUsername. Look for any remaining OneDrive folders—generally found in C:\Users\YourUsername\OneDrive. If you spot it, right-click and delete. Clearing out these folders prevents any confusion later on and frees up a bit of space. If you’re planning to use OneDrive again down the track, you might prefer just to disable it instead of deleting everything.

Checking and Editing the Registry for Leftovers

Sometimes, OneDrive leaves behind registry entries that could cause issues later. To clean these up, press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and hit Enter. Be cautious—messing with the registry can cause problems if you delete the wrong things. In Registry Editor, press Ctrl + F and search for “OneDrive.” Delete any entries you find, especially in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive. Also, check out HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive and remove entries there to prevent it from reinstalling. It’s a bit of a hassle, but worth the effort to keep OneDrive out of your system for good.

Finalising the Process

To wrap up, restart your PC. After it boots back up, look for any signs of OneDrive—its icon in the system tray or running processes like OneDrive.exe in Task Manager. If you don’t see/bother with them, you’re all clear. Doing a thorough clean-up helps keep Windows 11 running smoothly and free of junk.

Tips for a Clean Removal

Before deleting any OneDrive folders, make sure to back up any important files. Sometimes, files stored locally in the OneDrive folder won’t get deleted from the online storage unless you do so manually. If you think you might want to enable OneDrive again later, consider simply disabling it instead of uninstalling. To block it altogether, you can fiddle with Group Policy—press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, then navigate to:

Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive > Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage

Set this policy to Enabled to block OneDrive. Also, don’t forget to empty your Recycle Bin after deleting files to free up space. Running a reputable registry cleaner can also help tidy up any leftover entries.

Common Questions About Removing OneDrive

Is it risky to uninstall OneDrive?

Not at all. Uninstalling it is safe and won’t harm your system’s stability. Just ensure you’ve backed up any important files first—that’s the main thing to watch out for.

Will I lose my files if I delete OneDrive?

Nope—removing the app doesn’t delete your files. They’ll stay on your PC or cloud storage as usual, separate from the app itself.

Can I reinstall OneDrive later if I change my mind?

Absolutely. You can download it from the Microsoft Store or directly from Microsoft’s website. To reinstall quickly, run this command:

start https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkID=248256

Does turning off OneDrive improve my PC’s performance?

Definitely. Removing or disabling OneDrive can free up CPU and RAM, which might help your system run a bit snappier—especially if you’re on an older machine.

Can I disconnect OneDrive from my Microsoft account?

Yes. Removing OneDrive won’t affect your Microsoft account itself. The account remains active, and you can reinstall or enable OneDrive again whenever you like, hassle-free.

Final Thoughts on Managing OneDrive

Sometimes, the best way to tidy up your PC is to remove apps that no longer serve a purpose. Uninstalling OneDrive from Windows 11 can free up resources and declutter your system. It’s a safe process for your files, and re-adding it later is straightforward if needed. Follow these steps, and you’ll be confidently managing your software even if you’re not a tech expert. This approach has worked well on numerous machines, so give it a go.