Unable to Completely Delete OneDrive

I have recently updated my system to a pre-built Window 11 Pro system. This had OneDrive installed which I do not use. I have uninstalled this and removed my subscription. However, whatever I do, when I create a new document, sometimes (not every-time) the file is saved t my "C:\Users\dforr\OneDrive" folder and not my "C:\Users\dforr\Documents" folder as it should be.

Has anyone any advice on how to stop this happening?

Welcome to the forum. Here is the proper sequence of events to get rid of Onedrive.

1. You first have to turn off backup folder syncing. This tutorial tells you how and also how to get your files onto your local drive.
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/turn-on-or-off-onedrive-folder-backup-syncing-across-windows-11-devices.4321/

NOTE: ONLY IF FOLDERS DO NOT MOVE TO DEFAULT LOCATION IN STEP 1 ABOVE DO THIS

If this happens, then you could try option three in the tutorials below to restore the default folder location and move your files manually from Onedrive into the folders..

• Move or Restore Default Location of Desktop Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Documents Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial
• Move or Restore Default Location of Pictures Folder in Windows 11
• Move or Restore Default Location of Videos Folder in Windows 11

2. Then you have to unlink account & PC from onedrive.
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/unlink-account-and-pc-from-onedrive-in-windows-11.15162/
Once you do this the files you have in onedrive will remain there until you login to Onedrive on the Web and delete them.
Sign in - Microsoft OneDrive

3. You can then either uninstall Onedrive or disable it. I prefer to disable it. Open Task Manager>Startup Apps
Find Onedrive in the list and, right click on it, select disable. This prevents Onedrive from auto-starting.

4. If you want to uninstall it instead use Revo Uninstaller Freeware Portable. Be sure to delete any leftover files and registry entries Revo finds. Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download

Most people have OneDrive to back up documents to the cloud.

If you're signed in, you can sync across all your devices on which you have OneDrive installed.

NormanF said:

Most people have OneDrive to back up documents to the cloud.

Click to expand...

You are right that most people have Onedrive, but IMO it's because many are not experienced enough to know their personal folders location default to Onedrive, nor they have no idea how Onedrive works. Also many users exceed their 5gb of free Onedrive storage. When users decide they don't want Onedrive, they think all they have to do is uninstall it (like this OP) when there's more to it than that.

It's also my opinion that for inexperienced users who do not know the value of any sort of backup plan, that Onedrive should be left alone unless the user has so much data in documents and pictures that they exceed their 5 gb of free Onedrive storage. This way they at least have some of their data protected. The issue is ...many people have no idea where their data is stored.

Let's keep to the OP's question and not go down the onedrive hate debate again!!!

Thanks for all the responses, I am going through them to see where they effect me.

Use RevoUninstaller Portable to remove it along with reg keys and leftovers.

Set the default save location for office to local disk:

I have thoroughly read the responses. Thank you. I have come to the conclusion that OneDrive is not correctly uninstalled. For one thing too many uses of a "OneDrive" named folder remain. I have therefore re-installed OneDrive and then immediately uninstalled it, this time, with Revo Uninstaller, accepting all its options given at the completion of the basic uninstall. I also have also uninstalled in the same way, Microsoft Office 2003, which I no longer use.

Things appear better and hopefully my problem is now remedied.