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How to delete old OneDrive folder from computer
Previously, I used OneDrive with one account and have now unlinked that account from OneDrive. After that, I deleted the OneDrive app on my computer and reinstalled the OneDrive app and logged into t...
Method 1: Using File Explorer
Locate the folder: Open File Explorer and navigate to the location of your old OneDrive folder. It's typically found under your user folder (e.g., C:\Users<your username>\OneDrive).
Right-click the folder: Once you've found it, right-click on the folder you want to delete.
Select "Delete": In the context menu, choose "Delete".
Confirm deletion (if prompted): A confirmation window might appear asking you to confirm deletion. Click "Yes" or "Delete" to proceed.
Method 2: Using OneDrive Settings
Access OneDrive settings: Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (usually near the clock in the taskbar) and select "Settings".
Choose "Unlink this PC": In the OneDrive settings window, navigate to the "Account" tab. Click on the button labeled "Unlink this PC".
Choose what to do with files: OneDrive will prompt you about what to do with the existing OneDrive files on your computer. Select the option "Keep files on this device". This will remove the folder from OneDrive but keep the files locally on your computer. Then click "Unlink account".
Important Notes:
Method 1 permanently deletes the folder and its contents from your computer. Make sure you have backups of any important files before proceeding.
Method 2 removes the folder from OneDrive synchronization but keeps the files locally. This is useful if you want to keep the files on your computer but don't want them synced to the cloud anymore.
If the folder won't delete: In some cases, you might encounter issues deleting the folder. This could be because the files are still open in another program or because they are set to "read-only".
Close any programs that might be using the files.
Right-click on the folder and its contents, select "Properties", and under the "General" tab, uncheck the "Read-only" attribute (if it's checked). Click "Apply" and then try deleting again.
By following these methods, you should be able to successfully delete the old OneDrive folder from your computer.
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Locate the folder: Open File Explorer and navigate to the location of your old OneDrive folder. It's typically found under your user folder (e.g., C:\Users<your username>\OneDrive).
Right-click the folder: Once you've found it, right-click on the folder you want to delete.
Select "Delete": In the context menu, choose "Delete".
Confirm deletion (if prompted): A confirmation window might appear asking you to confirm deletion. Click "Yes" or "Delete" to proceed.
Method 2: Using OneDrive Settings
Access OneDrive settings: Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (usually near the clock in the taskbar) and select "Settings".
Choose "Unlink this PC": In the OneDrive settings window, navigate to the "Account" tab. Click on the button labeled "Unlink this PC".
Choose what to do with files: OneDrive will prompt you about what to do with the existing OneDrive files on your computer. Select the option "Keep files on this device". This will remove the folder from OneDrive but keep the files locally on your computer. Then click "Unlink account".
Important Notes:
Method 1 permanently deletes the folder and its contents from your computer. Make sure you have backups of any important files before proceeding.
Method 2 removes the folder from OneDrive synchronization but keeps the files locally. This is useful if you want to keep the files on your computer but don't want them synced to the cloud anymore.
If the folder won't delete: In some cases, you might encounter issues deleting the folder. This could be because the files are still open in another program or because they are set to "read-only".
Close any programs that might be using the files.
Right-click on the folder and its contents, select "Properties", and under the "General" tab, uncheck the "Read-only" attribute (if it's checked). Click "Apply" and then try deleting again.
By following these methods, you should be able to successfully delete the old OneDrive folder from your computer.
<a href="https://webdevexpert.online">webdevexpert</a>
I removed the OneDrive-folder months ago (method 1) because I cannot log on to the OneDrive-account to which it is linked.
The OneDrive-folder is long gone, but Windows explorer still shows it in the side-pane and on the Desktop (Bureaublad).
- If I try to open OneDrive-folder, it says: Folder location does not exist... bla bla.
Yes, that is true. I deleted it (method 1)! - Selecting the OneDrive-folder on the Desktop (Bureaublad) and pressing the Delete-key has no result, no message whatsoever.
- If I shift+right-click the OneDrive-folder, I cannot choose to remove/delete it. If I choose "Properties" I get the same kind of error in it's properties on location, security et cetera.
- I tried: "OneDrive.exe /reset" as mentioned in the https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/reset-onedrive-34701e00-bf7b-42db-b960-84905399050c to fix this problem, with no result.
- I also tried running "wsreset.exe" as mentioned in the https://support.microsoft.com/nl-nl/office/onedrive-opnieuw-instellen-34701e00-bf7b-42db-b960-84905399050c?WT.mc_id=365AdminCSH_Smc. Again with no result.
- At last I removed OneDrive from my pc. Then rebooted my pc and reinstalled OneDrive.
This resulted in some other syncing problems mentioned here, but the OneDrive-folder still shows up!
Notes
- I'm a Dutch Windows 11 Home and Professional user on two different pc's. All updates (25H2) installed. Both have the same issue.
- Since I'm using a Dutch Windows-version, I had to translate some terms.
- I cannot log on to my company Microsoft-account because my company turned on the https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/conditional-access/policy-all-users-app-enforced-restrictions.
Ah, the registry key in: Gemo53's comment did the trick.
By starting the registry editor and removing the unwanted name(space) from:
HKCU\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\desktop\namespace
I was able to remove the non-functioning OneDrive-folder from the Desktop (Bureaublad)!
It is still strange that you have to do it by editing the registry manually and Microsoft is not removing it's garbage when you remove the software (OneDrive) from your computer. But well, the trick worked 🙂
Thanks Gemo53​ !