OneDrive automatically logs in to a Microsoft Accounts, syncs data

Mark K · Mar 20, 2026

Windows 11 Pro 26200.8037
Microsoft Edge 146.0.3856.62 (don't use Edge/no accounts in Edge)
Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.300.0
Local user account in Windows 11 (no Microsoft account on system)
Microsoft 365 Enterprise installed (Word, Excel, Outlook Classic, etc.), used @workdomain.com account to install/activate.

Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Your Accounts > [no email accounts]
Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Other users [no accounts]
Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Access work or school > [no email accounts]

Installed and activated MS 365 Enterprise using the @workdomain.com account. The @workdomain.com account does not show up in Windows 11 at all, just in MS 365 apps.

Suddenly OneDrive installs, seeing the OneDrive icon in the system tray area. First the cloud icon for OneDrive in a slash through out, then the icon updates where it is signed in to an account. I presumed it would be the @workdomain.com account, but OneDrive logged in with a personal account (@outlook.com account) .

Luckily I checked OneDrive. OneDrive's account is set to the @outlook.com account that does not exist on the system; the Documents and Pictures folders sync'd to OneDrive (other folders are empty). I unlinked the @outlook.com account from OneDrive, stopped the data sync (hoping it removed whatever files that it uploaded from OneDrive), and searched the system for that @outlook.com account. Nothing found.

When I checked these settings again:

Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Your Accounts > [no email accounts]
Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Other users [no accounts]
Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Access work or school > [no email accounts]

no email accounts were found.

Where did Microsoft pull this @outlook.com account? I have no clue as it has not been used in decades. Microsoft closed this @outlook.com account (used to be a msn.com account originally) about a decade or more ago. When I tried to log in to this @outlook.com account, account is closed and cannot gain access to it. I forgot about that I even had this account. I'm starting to wonder these closed Microsoft accounts are just inaccessible to me and on the back-side of things at Microsoft these accounts are still active, collecting data, etc. LOL.

This mystery @outlook.com account is not found anywhere. How did Microsoft use this account with OneDrive? I'm extremely puzzled.

I did log in with the @workdomain.com account in OneDrive (for now) while I need it, and will unlink the account and remove OneDrive when I am done with the account.

ChrisPbass · Mar 20, 2026

OneDrive is wonderful if you want to use it.

Mark K · Mar 20, 2026

ChrisPbass said:
OneDrive is wonderful if you want to use it.

I prefer not to use OneDrive for personal. I use it only when needed, then I get rid of it.

Still waiting for Microsoft Support to get back to with an answer on this mysterious closed Microsoft account that got sync'd with OneDrive. The only answer I received so far is that the account had been linked to Skydrive and maybe that is why it got used. My answer is, huh? LOL.

Probably never receive an answer on this support case.

cheaterslick · Mar 20, 2026

Make sure it's uninstalled. Revo will do the trick. Just beware of left over registry entries that Revo needs to clean out as well.

Scannerman · Mar 20, 2026

If you have an email account with Microsoft, or Office 365, it is almost certain that One Drive will attempt to hijack your data unless you jump through all the hoops and hurdles to stop it. Myself, I have tried to selectively use it and it always finds some way of lending itself to my other PCs much the same way a virus will infiltrate a network. Fortunately there are tutorials that can assist you in dealing with One Drive. I thought we had some in this forum but I can't find them. Shutting off One Drive would be the first step.

Mark K · Mar 20, 2026

Nipdawg said:
Where did Microsoft pull this @outlook.com account? I have no clue as it has not been used in decades. Microsoft closed this @outlook.com account (used to be a msn.com account originally) about a decade or more ago. When I tried to log in to this @outlook.com account, account is closed and cannot gain access to it. I forgot about that I even had this account. I'm starting to wonder these closed Microsoft accounts are just inaccessible to me and on the back-side of things at Microsoft these accounts are still active, collecting data, etc. LOL.

This mystery @outlook.com account is not found anywhere. How did Microsoft use this account with OneDrive? I'm extremely puzzled.

This the main part that I am trying to figure out. I know all about MS 365/OneDrive.

Microsoft updated my case to Pending on closing because they cannot answer it. Microsoft is good at closing many support cases without answering. I submitted this through a business account for support.

glasskuter · Mar 20, 2026

Uninstalling Onedeive is NOT the way to get rid of it. Doing so without making the pre-requisite changes just digs your hole deeper.

How to PROPERLY Remove OneDrive from Windows 11

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, Windows automatically sets Documents, Desktop, Pictures, and Videos 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 below. Skipping or rearranging them can cause issues with your files and folders.

Important:
These instructions assume that OneDrive is still installed on your PC.
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, 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

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 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 you do this the files you have in onedrive will remain there until you login to Onedrive on the Web and delete them. 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.

NOTE: Office 365 and Ofc 2019-2024 DEFAULT save location is Onedrive. You will have to go into each Office app and change its default save location to a folder on your computer. (file>options>Save>Uncheck save to onedrive by default and Check Save to computer by default. Select a local folder where you want files saved.) Note : Auto correct will NOT work with files not saved in Onedrive.

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

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

If you want to hide it 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. Note: Whether this will work as written for you depends on what steps were taken in your prior attempts to get rid of Onedrive. Sometimes a user’s incorrect actions can have unwanted results. Nevertheless, your files should still be in Onedrive so they are not lost.

cheaterslick · Mar 20, 2026

Nipdawg said:
This the main part that I am trying to figure out. I know all about MS 365/OneDrive.

Microsoft updated my case to Pending on closing because they cannot answer it. Microsoft is good at closing many support cases without answering. I submitted this through a business account for support.

If you're using Microsoft 365 Office then you're pretty stuck using OneDrive. Microsoft 365 Office is a cloud service so you need OneDrive in order to access it.

glasskuter · Mar 20, 2026

cheaterslick said:
If you're using Microsoft 365 Office then you're pretty stuck using OneDrive

Not so, @cheaterslick . Even with 365 one can change a setting in each 365 app to save files locally. All one loses is autosave.

Edwin · Mar 20, 2026

cheaterslick said:
If you're using Microsoft 365 Office then you're pretty stuck using OneDrive. Microsoft 365 Office is a cloud service so you need OneDrive in order to access it.

Nope. When Canary 29553.1000 landed today, the first thing I did was uninstall OneDrive!

cheaterslick · Mar 20, 2026

glasskuter said:
Not so, @cheaterslick . Even with 365 one can change a setting in each 365 app to save files locally. All one loses is autosave.

Hi,

So the 365 program itself, is not located in the cloud? That it's hard coded locally on your C:\Program Files (or C:\Program Files (x86)) drive like the older versions of Office were?

Again, I don't mean where your saving your files. I meant where the program itself is located.

Thanks

Edwin · Mar 20, 2026

cheaterslick said:
I meant where the program itself is located.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

cheaterslick · Mar 21, 2026

Edwin said:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16

How big is that folder? Does it contain the whole program?

I mean you can get this which I believe was a 300mb digital download

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/microsoft-office-home-2024-1-device-windows-mac-os-digital/JJGXPXLL4Z

Like that one?

Fishmill · Mar 21, 2026

Scannerman said:
I thought we had some in this forum but I can't find them. Shutting off One Drive would be the first step.

Enable or Disable OneDrive in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the OneDrive feature for all users 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

Uninstall and Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11

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

Are the above what you were looking for?

I examined them 2 months ago when I rebuilt with a clean install and ultimately decided to "disable" Onedrive rather than "uninstall" it.

So far, I have no indication the disabling didn't work, at least temporarily. But I've been led to believe that innocently poking certain icons or links within the Windows 11 interface might easily re-enable it. Nor do I have any confidence that it will not be re-enabled via some future Windows update, without my overt and explicit consent.

Is there a benign or flattering reason why Microsoft has not offered and highly publicized a simple "yes/no" switch that would allow or not allow Onedrive's presence on the PC?

idgat · Mar 21, 2026

ChrisPbass said:
OneDrive is wonderful if you want to use it.

You sure we're taking about the same "OneDrive"??? "Wonderful" is not part of the lexicon I would associate with this abomination.

TairikuOkami · Mar 21, 2026

cheaterslick said:
Make sure it's uninstalled.

cereberus · Mar 21, 2026

idgat said:
You sure we're taking about the same "OneDrive"??? "Wonderful" is not part of the lexicon I would associate with this abomination.

Yep OneDrive is super, great, fantastic, bend a bit of bully.

The ABOMINATION is that many dipsticks fail to learn properly how to use the best cloud service by miles and then slag it off.

The old adage "A bad workman blames his tools" so applies here.

DJNelson · Mar 21, 2026

OneDrive probably works great if you have a very fast symmetrical network connection, but that's generally not offered as a home service in the US without paying a premium. When the ratio is something like 20:1, the never-ending uploads caused all kinds of problems for me, and the last straw was when files started disappearing from the cloud AND from whichever machine uploaded the file. I've removed it from every computer I've worked on since 2019.

2112 · Mar 21, 2026

cheaterslick said:
How big is that folder? Does it contain the whole program?

I mean you can get this which I believe was a 300mb digital download

My folder is about 4,4GB and yes, it contains all apps that are installed locally on the computer. The installer is an online installer, iow when you launch it it will download the files from Microsoft that install Office locally.

It´s the same as Adobe Cretive Cloud and many peolpe thinks the same thing, iow that the apps are in the cloud when you use them. This is not true, all apps are installed locally on the computer.

Edwin · Mar 21, 2026

cheaterslick said:
How big is that folder?

Fully installed, mine's about 4½GB.

cheaterslick said:
Does it contain the whole program?

Pretty much, except for online content that you can download on demand.
I disable all Connected Experiences, though..., the Suite still functions fine on it's own.
For what I do, I create my own Templates, etc. I very rarely need to download online content through the Suite, if at all.

OneDrive automatically logs in to a Microsoft Accounts, syncs data

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