How to completely remove OneDrive

timlab55 · Jun 5, 2023

I've searched/asked this question and got many different answers. I did follow Brink's advice in one of his posts a long time ago. However, I guess Windows 11 is different in such a way that Microsoft wants you to use OneDrive, but I don't want big brother to see my important files. That is why when I installed Windows 11 Pro, I checked that little box about saving everything to this computer and not to OneDrive. But anyway, its funny that when I add something to my desktop (an icon or a program), that is transferred to a folder on my OS drive called OneDrive. I've tried to delete that folder and within seconds that folder is back. So what am I doing wrong or is there something in the reg file?
Thanks

wiganken · Jun 6, 2023

Have you actually uninstalled OneDrive? Go to Settings>Apps>Installed apps and look for OneDrive in the list.
Click on the three dots on right and select 'Uninstall'. I have uninstalled OneDrive but you can see the method I am describing on photo: -

Fabler2 · Jun 6, 2023

Things change with OneDrive continuously as there was no option this time to untick the box to 'start with Windows'. The last time I removed OneDrive was when on the Desktop to right click the icon on the taskbar and stop it synching. Then in task manager disabling it to start with Windows. Installing Geek uninstaller ready. Rebooting and then running Geek to uninstall it. This is how File Explorer now looks,

System folders showing 'Stored locally'.

It's important to stop OneDrive synching before removal even if 'keep files on this PC' is selected during install.

timlab55 · Jun 6, 2023

wiganken said:
Have you actually uninstalled OneDrive? Go to Settings>Apps>Installed apps and look for OneDrive in the list.
Click on the three dots on right and select 'Uninstall'. I have uninstalled OneDrive but you can see the method I am describing on photo: -

View attachment 61712

One Drive is NOT listed on this page.

Brink · Jun 6, 2023

timlab55 said:
One Drive is NOT listed on this page.

Hello Dan,

Did you look for it listed as Microsoft OneDrive to uninstall like in option one below?

Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to uninstall or reinstall OneDrive for only your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. OneDrive is built-in to Windows 11 by default. With OneDrive, you can sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere -...

www.elevenforum.com

timlab55 · Jun 6, 2023

@Brink - I followed your instructions to the "T" and it's not listed anywhere. Not on my Features and Programs, no where. However, it is listed in my reg file which if I can find that screen shot I took about it I will tackle it tonight.
Any other suggestions?

Brink · Jun 6, 2023

Just to note, when you uninstall the OneDrive app, it does not remove your "C:\Users\<username>\OneDrive" folder since that is a personal folder for the account. It just happens to be used by the OneDrive app to sync from to the cloud when installed, signed in to, and running.

timlab55 · Jun 6, 2023

Ty but I'd you delete that folder it comes back and holds anything from the desktop. Don't want that.

Brink · Jun 6, 2023

Just to confirm, did you make sure you turned off backing up folders (ex: "Desktop") to OneDrive like below before uninstalling the OneDrive app?

Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing Across Windows 11 Devices Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off OneDrive folder sync for your Microsoft account across all your Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices you sign in with the same Microsoft account. You can use OneDrive to sync files and folders between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to...

www.elevenforum.com

For now, see if using option three below to restore the default location of your Desktop folder may stop what you are describing.

Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to move or restore the default location of the Desktop folder for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Desktop folder (shell:Desktop) is a component of the user profile that is used as a unified location for storing personal data. By default, the...

www.elevenforum.com