Windows 11, Uninstall OneDrive

Hi,
Please forgive me for reaching out to the Forum for asking a hard question, (for me), but probably an easy answer for you.
I do not want to save any files on OneDrive. With Windows 10 I had the option to not sign up for OneDrive. This worked out for me until I was hit by a virus and a retired cyber security rep seriously stated to get a new PC. He found 40 traces of malware plus a live virus he could not remove. The PC was 8 yrs old.
I have read different answers to how to remove/uninstalled OneDrive and during my last search today the answer was to not do it at all! Since OneDrive was tied with Windows 11 you can run into messy problems. I also read OneDrive will remain on Explorer pathways.

This can create a problem when family members and trustee are trying to find files, which, by following properties, (even I use it), leads to OneDrive. However OneDrive is now uninstalled. How can I change the pathway to the former way to C\: users\user\ documents? I suspect the process is not user friendly especially for a retiree. Any easy answers?

My thanks to you,
Senior Citizen

We get asked this question all the time. We have a tutorial on how to do it.

Thank you so much for your input. I will follow through.

pparks1 said:

We have a tutorial on how to do it.

Click to expand...

That is true, but the user has to first unsync from onedrive.
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/turn-on-or-off-onedrive-folder-backup-syncing-across-windows-11-devices.4321/

Got it.

Senior citizen said:

Thank you so much for your input. I will follow through.

pparks1 said:

We get asked this question all the time. We have a tutorial on how to do it.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

glasskuter said:

That is true, but the user has to first unsync from onedrive.
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/turn-on-or-off-onedrive-folder-backup-syncing-across-windows-11-devices.4321/

Click to expand...

Once you have disabled Onedrive & stopped it syncing, you uninstall it by using 'Prograns & Features' in Conrol Panel

RevoUninstaller (freeware)

• Install and run RevoUninstaller
• Options tab (along the top) > Uninstaller (LH column)
• Untick Make a Restore Point before uninstall
• Tick Checkmark all leftovers by default
• Back to main Revo program window > select Windows Apps tab
• Double click the desired program
• Run the uninstallation process
• DO NOT reboot even if prompted when completed
• Select the Advanced button and then run the process to remove all leftover files/folders/registry entries left behind after a normal uninstall process.
• If prompted at any stage previously, now do the reboot

Also Geek Uninstaller (freeware)

Senior citizen said:

However OneDrive is now uninstalled. How can I change the pathway to the former way to C\: users\user\ documents? I suspect the process is not user friendly especially for a retiree. Any easy answers?

Click to expand...

After uninstalling One drive, I used the registry editor (regedit) to repair the folder paths in the user folder.


See:
"List of Shell folders & their default locations in Windows 10/11"
"User Shell Folders (Per-system)"