Solved Minimizing the Waste of Time

H2ONaCl · Mar 29, 2026

I never intentionally used OneDrive but there is the possibility that I inadvertently deposited one or more files in the cloud many years ago.

Anyway, on computer A, I inspected subfolders like OneDrive > MyName Personal > Pictures > Camera Roll and OneDrive > MyName Personal > Pictures > Camera Roll . This is infuriating because they force the user to inspect folders that the user did not create. After inspecting my determination is that I have no files of my own creation on OneDrive. I then unlinked OneDrive.

Computer B is a new acquisition. I reset Windows which necessitated signing into a Microsoft Account which is infuriating because I have no intention to use OneDrive on computer B. I unlinked OneDrive. Then I rebooted. Then File Explorer showed me the name of a file in OneDrive which I had not touched in about 4 years. This is on a new computer that has no creations of my own and with OneDrive unlinked. Why is this phantom file appearing on a new computer with OneDrive unlinked?

Why does unlinked new computer B tell me about a file that I have not thought about in 4 years ? This file doesn't even exist on the unlinked OneDrive of computer A !!! It does exist on the hard drive of computer A but how can my new computer know about it ?

Is this some sort of OneDrive corruption? My previous experience with cloud storage was with UbuntuOne which never seemed to work and seemed highly corrupt. Is OneDrive also corrupted?

How can I avoid wasting more time on this ?

In the image, taken from computer B, see the icon in the lower right in the black task bar shows OneDrive is unlinked. See the file called "damage done by helpers" is from 2022 and has never physically been on computer B. I am very angry about this. Why is this file being shown to me?

HeavyHemi · Mar 29, 2026

It would be nice if the title of your post was actually related to your isssue... to waste less time.

If you're signing into the same MS account on both computers, that is probably why you're seeing that file.

glasskuter · Mar 30, 2026

H2ONaCl said:
I reset Windows which necessitated signing into a Microsoft Account

Not so. One can create a local account during both OOBE or during a clean install which regates you having to deal with Onedrive at all. Here's how.
Do not connect to internet until afterward.

During setup, when you reach the second keyboard layout screen DO NOT SELECT SKIP.
Hit Shift+F10 keyboard combination to open a Windows command prompt.

At this prompt, type
start ms-cxh:localonly
and press Enter on your keyboard to open a create user account window where you can create a new local user.
After filling in the information and clicking the Next button, the Windows 11 setup will continue

During a clean install it's step 15 here.

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

-------------------------------

When one does use a MS account but does not want to use Onedrive, there's more to it than just "unlinking" and the steps have to be done in a particular order for Onedrive to be disabled/uninstalled. I can only give you the entire proper procedure to deal with it. I have no way of knowing what other actions you took. If all you did was unlink, POSSIBLY, you could relink to Onedrive and sign in. Then follow the proper procedure.

Another option on the new computer is to create a new local account, make it an administrator. Restart. You will see 2 users on your signin screen. Log in to the new local account and delete the MS account. This is what I would do if the new computer is currently just a base install of windows.

How To PROPERLY Remove OneDrive from Windows 11

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, Windows automatically sets Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and Videos user folders to use OneDrive as their default storage location.These folders are NOT on your system drive.

If you don’t want to use OneDrive, you’ll need to carefully follow the steps in the order below. Skipping or rearranging them can cause issues with your files and folders.

Note 1: If you use Office 365, Office 2019, 2021 or 2024 user, you need to change options in each Office app such as Word and Excel to save to your computer by default. Currently files created in these apps default to Onedrive. Open a document, select File>Options> Check “save to computer by default” and choose a save location. Do the same for each app.. Note, this disables the autosave feature in these apps as autosave works only for files in Onedrive.

Note 2: Whether this will work as written depends on what steps were taken in your prior attempts to get rid of Onedrive. A user’s incorrect actions can have unwanted results so other steps may be required. Nevertheless, your files should still be in OD until you manually delete them.

Important:
These instructions assume that OneDrive is still INSTALLED, YOUR ACCOUNT IS STILL LINKED, & FOLDERS ARE SYNCING..
If you’ve already uninstalled it, for this procedure to work, you will need to first reinstall OneDrive by downloading it from Microsoft’s official site.

sign in to OneDrive if not already signed in, and then continue with the tutorial.

STEP 1: Turn Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing

First, you need to stop OneDrive from automatically syncing your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Videos folders. This guide will also help you get your files back on to your local drive.
Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing in Windows 11

You know this was successful by right clicking on a user folder>select Properties>General tab. The folder location should now be C:\users\yourusername\foldername

Only If the folders don’t automatically return to their default local location under C:\Users\YourUserName in step 1:Use the tutorials below (Option Three) to manually restore the default location of each folder and manually move your files from Onedrive into it.
Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11 |

STEP 2: Unlink Account & PC from OneDrive

After syncing is turned off, disconnect your account and computer from OneDrive:
Unlink account & PC from Onedrive.

Once unlinked, your files remain in OneDrive until you delete them online at Onedrive on the Web. Microsoft OneDrive
__________________________________________________________

STEP 3: Prevent OneDrive from Starting Automatically or Uninstall Onedrive

At this point, you can either disable OneDrive from autostart or uninstall it.

Option 1- disable Onedrive from auto-starting. This is my preference since Microsoft can reinstall Onedrive through Windows or Office updates. This setting tends to hold during those updates.

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).
Go to the Startup Apps list in left pane. (Hover you mouse over the little icons until you see the one named Startup Apps)
Find OneDrive.exe, right-click it, and select Disable

If you want to remove OD from file explorer navigation pane Add or Remove OneDrive in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11

If you want to hide OD in the task tray, Settings > Personalization > Taskbar "Other system tray icons". Find Onedrive and toggle it off. Alternatively, you can quickly hide an icon by dragging it from the taskbar onto the upward-pointing arrow that opens the hidden icons menu.

Once you re-start, OneDrive will no longer launch at startup and the only place you will see it is in your start menu.

Option 2 - Uninstall OneDrive

Method 1 – Using Revo Uninstaller (recommended):
Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware Portable.

Open Revo and look under Windows Apps to find OneDrive.
Uninstall it using Revo, then run its scan feature. Check all the leftover files and registry entries Revo finds and remove.

Method 2 – Built-in Windows option:
You can also uninstall OneDrive through Windows settings, but this will leave some registry entries behind. Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11
________________________________________________________________________
Following this sequence ensures your files are safe and your folders return to their proper locations, while OneDrive is disabled or completely removed from your system.

-----------------------------------------

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

HeavyHemi said:
It would be nice if the title of your post was actually related to your isssue... to waste less time. If you're signing into the same MS account on both computers, that is probably why you're seeing that file.

It's not on the OneDrive when I temporarily link computer A.

HeavyHemi · Mar 30, 2026

H2ONaCl said:
It's not on the OneDrive when I temporarily link computer A.

Therefore you are signing into the same account?

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

HeavyHemi said:
Therefore you are signing into the same account?

I have only 1 Microsoft account which I find to be 1 too many. I only need 2 computers with 2 C: drives.

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

HeavyHemi said:
It would be nice if the title of your post was actually related to your isssue... to waste less time. If you're signing into the same MS account on both computers, that is probably why you're seeing that file.

The title is worded the way it is because I am looking for the most convenient, that is to say, the quickest way to use C: drive exclusively. I am open to suggestions. For example if the quickest way to use C: drive exclusively is to delete the Microsoft account maybe somebody will steer me in that direction. I am concerned deleting the Microsoft account might cause more problems so I haven't tried that.

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

glasskuter said:
Not so. One can create a local account during both OOBE or during a clean install which regates you having to deal with Onedrive at all. Here's how.
Do not connect to internet until afterward.

During setup, when you reach the second keyboard layout screen DO NOT SELECT SKIP.
Hit Shift+F10 keyboard combination to open a Windows command prompt.

At this prompt, type
start ms-cxh:localonly
and press Enter on your keyboard to open a create user account window where you can create a new local user.
After filling in the information and clicking the Next button, the Windows 11 setup will continue

During a clean install it's step 15 here.

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

-------------------------------

When one does use a MS account but does not want to use Onedrive, there's more to it than just "unlinking" and the steps have to be done in a particular order for Onedrive to be disabled/uninstalled. I can only give you the entire proper procedure to deal with it. I have no way of knowing what other actions you took. If all you did was unlink, POSSIBLY, you could relink to Onedrive and sign in. Then follow the proper procedure.

Another option on the new computer is to create a new local account, make it an administrator. Restart. You will see 2 users on your signin screen. Log in to the new local account and delete the MS account. This is what I would do if the new computer is currently just a base install of windows.

How To PROPERLY Remove OneDrive from Windows 11

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, Windows automatically sets Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and Videos user folders to use OneDrive as their default storage location.These folders are NOT on your system drive.

If you don’t want to use OneDrive, you’ll need to carefully follow the steps in the order below. Skipping or rearranging them can cause issues with your files and folders.

Note 1: If you use Office 365, Office 2019, 2021 or 2024 user, you need to change options in each Office app such as Word and Excel to save to your computer by default. Currently files created in these apps default to Onedrive. Open a document, select File>Options> Check “save to computer by default” and choose a save location. Do the same for each app.. Note, this disables the autosave feature in these apps as autosave works only for files in Onedrive.

Note 2: Whether this will work as written depends on what steps were taken in your prior attempts to get rid of Onedrive. A user’s incorrect actions can have unwanted results so other steps may be required. Nevertheless, your files should still be in OD until you manually delete them.

Important:
These instructions assume that OneDrive is still INSTALLED, YOUR ACCOUNT IS STILL LINKED, & FOLDERS ARE SYNCING..
If you’ve already uninstalled it, for this procedure to work, you will need to first reinstall OneDrive by downloading it from Microsoft’s official site.

sign in to OneDrive if not already signed in, and then continue with the tutorial.

STEP 1: Turn Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing

First, you need to stop OneDrive from automatically syncing your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, and Videos folders. This guide will also help you get your files back on to your local drive.
Turn On or Off OneDrive Folder Backup Syncing in Windows 11

You know this was successful by right clicking on a user folder>select Properties>General tab. The folder location should now be C:\users\yourusername\foldername

Only If the folders don’t automatically return to their default local location under C:\Users\YourUserName in step 1:Use the tutorials below (Option Three) to manually restore the default location of each folder and manually move your files from Onedrive into it.
Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11

Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11 |

STEP 2: Unlink Account & PC from OneDrive

After syncing is turned off, disconnect your account and computer from OneDrive:
Unlink account & PC from Onedrive.

Once unlinked, your files remain in OneDrive until you delete them online at Onedrive on the Web. Microsoft OneDrive
__________________________________________________________

STEP 3: Prevent OneDrive from Starting Automatically or Uninstall Onedrive

At this point, you can either disable OneDrive from autostart or uninstall it.

Option 1- disable Onedrive from auto-starting. This is my preference since Microsoft can reinstall Onedrive through Windows or Office updates. This setting tends to hold during those updates.

Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).

Go to the Startup Apps list in left pane. (Hover you mouse over the little icons until you see the one named Startup Apps)

Find OneDrive.exe, right-click it, and select Disable

If you want to remove OD from file explorer navigation pane Add or Remove OneDrive in Navigation Pane of File Explorer in Windows 11

If you want to hide OD in the task tray, Settings > Personalization > Taskbar "Other system tray icons". Find Onedrive and toggle it off. Alternatively, you can quickly hide an icon by dragging it from the taskbar onto the upward-pointing arrow that opens the hidden icons menu.

Once you re-start, OneDrive will no longer launch at startup and the only place you will see it is in your start menu.

Option 2 - Uninstall OneDrive

Method 1 – Using Revo Uninstaller (recommended):
Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware Portable.

Open Revo and look under Windows Apps to find OneDrive.

Uninstall it using Revo, then run its scan feature. Check all the leftover files and registry entries Revo finds and remove.

Method 2 – Built-in Windows option:
You can also uninstall OneDrive through Windows settings, but this will leave some registry entries behind. Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11
________________________________________________________________________
Following this sequence ensures your files are safe and your folders return to their proper locations, while OneDrive is disabled or completely removed from your system.

-----------------------------------------

You said "When one does use a MS account but does not want to use Onedrive, there's more to it than just "unlinking". I respectfully ask "are you sure about this". You're going against ChatGPT in giving this advice. ChatGPT is quite explicit in saying that Microsoft's primary recommended way to proceed if you intend to never use OneDrive is to simply unlink. ChatGPT says this is the cleanest "I don't use it" kind of option.

antspants · Mar 30, 2026

H2ONaCl said:
You said "When one does use a MS account but does not want to use Onedrive, there's more to it than just "unlinking". I respectfully ask "are you sure about this". You're going against ChatGPT in giving this advice. ChatGPT is quite explicit in saying that Microsoft's primary recommended way to proceed if you intend to never use OneDrive is to simply unlink. ChatGPT says this is the cleanest "I don't use it" kind of option.

If you want to take advice from ChatGPT as apposed to members & tutorials here, go for it.
Come back when you realize it probably wasn't a good idea.

AgathePower · Mar 30, 2026

glasskuter said:
During setup, when you reach the second keyboard layout screen DO NOT SELECT SKIP.
Hit Shift+F10 keyboard combination to open a Windows command prompt.

You actually can pass all the screens and type Shift+F10 when you are on Connect to your Microsoft account (or Connect to network if no network is detected).

glasskuter · Mar 30, 2026

What I posted was not written specifically for you. The instructions I gave combines Brinks tutorials start to finish when dealing with Onedrive. I offered it because it has been proven to work and deals with all aspects of Onedrive integration, including MSOFFICE, leaving no loose ends that can come back and haunt you later..

Most people who come here actually have files in Onedrive because they had no idea their files were automatically going there. You do not. You have a new device with no files and don't want Onedrive. That's why I suggested just making yourself a new local user account, deleting the MS account, and getting on with your life.

I take no disrespect if you choose to follow ChatGPT. But I can promise you if you were one of the many who have suddenly discovered that years of files were no longer stored on their PC drive and they did no more than unlink as Chatgpt advised you to do, they would be in a world of hurt.

Now, one can manually change a Onedrive setting to "always keep on this device" which keeps them in the Onedrive folder on the device as well as in the cloud, but that setting is not automatically enabled and 99% of the folks we deal with want no part of Onedrive at all.

AI is great but you need to remember that the wording in your question is very important in what answer you get. You have to furnish it ALL the specifics of your situation before you can put any trust in what you get back.

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

AgathePower said:
You actually can pass all the screens and type Shift+F10 when you are on Connect to your Microsoft account (or Connect to network if no network is detected).

My keyboard is in a weird state when I exit the installation GUI via Shift+F10. Letters on the keyboard don't work.

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

glasskuter said:
What I posted was not written specifically for you. The instructions I gave combines Brinks tutorials start to finish when dealing with Onedrive. I offered it because it has been proven to work and deals with all aspects of Onedrive integration, including MSOFFICE, leaving no loose ends that can come back and haunt you later..

Most people who come here actually have files in Onedrive because they had no idea their files were automatically going there. You do not. You have a new device with no files and don't want Onedrive. That's why I suggested just making yourself a new local user account, deleting the MS account, and getting on with your life.

I take no disrespect if you choose to follow ChatGPT. But I can promise you if you were one of the many who have suddenly discovered that years of files were no longer stored on their PC drive and they did no more than unlink as Chatgpt advised you to do, they would be in a world of hurt.

Now, one can manually change a Onedrive setting to "always keep on this device" which keeps them in the Onedrive folder on the device as well as in the cloud, but that setting is not automatically enabled and 99% of the folks we deal with want no part of Onedrive at all.

AI is great but you need to remember that the wording in your question is very important in what answer you get. You have to furnish it ALL the specifics of your situation before you can put any trust in what you get back.

It was hard to make a local account because the command line Window wasn't the active context when I tried to use the keyboard. Eventually I made a local account in the way you advised. You said "just making yourself a new local user account, deleting the MS account, and getting on with your life". This is most definitely a local account on a wiped SSD. It doesn't even remember the WiFi password so it is definitely local. Strangely enough, I can still see a crossed-out-OneDrive in the system tray. A waste of space. Strangely it still offers the button to click to "unlink" OneDrive. I did the unlink. I also did the "Quit OneDrive". I also did an uninstall of Microsoft OneDrive. The local account is not a really tidy solution because it still gives you a crossed-out-OneDrive in the system tray and all the rest (unlink, quit, uninstall) are still feasible so this is a really bad implementation of a local account.

Thank you for your help.

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