In Windows 11 and Windows 10 we find OneDrive as a cloud service integrated into the system, accessible directly from File Explorer but also integrated in the right-click menu, as a system icon at the bottom right and as an app that can be called up from the Start menu.
This cloud service is so well integrated into the operating system that it is not easy to replace it without finding it active again after a system update or a version change, often causing an over-positioning compared to the cloud service used on your personal computer.
In order not to have problems we must follow a precise procedure for disable OneDrive in Windows 11 and 10, so that it no longer starts even after a system update. By renouncing OneDrive, we will also renounce the online file backup system: so it is better to immediately focus on a alternative file backup system.
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How to disable OneDrive on Windows
Those who no longer want to run OneDrive on their computer will have to follow all the steps described in the following chapters to the letter. Skipping a few steps could lead to OneDrive reappearing after an update, which we absolutely want to avoid.
The steps described are valid for both Windows 11 and Windows 10where the OneDrive app is virtually identical.
1) Disconnect OneDrive
As a first step we must disconnect OneDrive from our Microsoft account, so as not to synchronize any files on the PC in use. To proceed, right-click on the OneDrive icon (in the service bar at the bottom right), press the gear icon, select the item Settings and, in the screen that will appear, let’s go to the card Account.
In this tab we press on the item Unplug this PC to disconnect OneDrive from the Microsoft account used up to that point, effectively interrupting all synchronization of personal files.
If we do not see the OneDrive icon on our computer, check among the hidden icons by pressing the arrowhead icon upwards, then press the OneDrive icon as seen above to proceed with the disconnection. If even so the icon does not appear, OneDrive is already closed and we can proceed to point 3.
2) Sign out of OneDrive
Now that Microsoft’s cloud service no longer synchronizes on our computer we can close the OneDrive program active in memory. To do this, simply press the right mouse button on the OneDrive icon, press the gear icon at the top right (in the OneDrive window), then press Close OneDrive.
3) Prevent auto start
With OneDrive disconnected and closed we can save RAM memory at startup by stopping the program auto-start in the service bar. To proceed with this operation, press the right button on the Start menu, click on the item Activity managementwe press on the item More details (if present) and let’s go to the card Start.
In this window we right-click on the item Microsoft OneDrive and finally press on the item Disable to prevent the cloud system from booting the next time Windows starts.
4) Uninstall OneDrive
If we intend to use OneDrive in the future, we can also stop here: all the steps seen so far are reversible and, in case of second thoughts, we can immediately go back to using OneDrive to save personal files.
If we do not like OneDrive and want to prevent its launch in future Windows updates we will have to proceed with the total uninstallation of the program. For the purpose we right-click on the Start menu, select Settingslet’s go to the App menu and look for the Microsoft OneDrive program, so as to proceed with its total uninstallation.
Do we want to reinstall OneDrive on our computer? We can use the Microsoft Store integrated into the operating system to reinstall it quickly, without having to search for the specific installer.
5) Delete OneDrive files from PC
If we had used OneDrive to sync files online, even after uninstalling or deactivating it files synchronized up to that point will remain in placetaking up disk space.
If you want to free up disk space on your PC, you can then delete the cloud service files by going to the folder C: \ Users \ Username \ OneDrive and deleting files that are no longer synchronized. We remind you that deleting them from your computer at this stage will not delete them from OneDrive if the account is disconnected and the OneDrive application is not installed or active on the PC.
Conclusions
Compared to the past Microsoft has made it much more difficult give up OneDrive in a clear and decisive way, without compromising the other features built into the operating system. By following the steps above we will stop the synchronization, block the program’s auto start and, as a last resort, we will uninstall every trace of OneDrive from the system.
We still advise you to don’t give up on an excellent cloud service like OneDrivewhich can be very useful for synchronizing the user’s important folders and for saving files from ransomware, as also seen in the guides on how to save important documents on windows and how enable Windows Defender ransomware protection.
If we were having problems with space on OneDrive (in fact 5GB can be few nowadays), we remind you that with Microsoft 365 or with the dedicated OneDrive Standalone 100GB subscription we can obtain a substantial increase in cloud space (1 TB on Microsoft 365 or 100 GB on the dedicated subscription).