Forum Discussion
How to delete onedrive from pc permanently in windows 10
I want to completely remove OneDrive from my Windows 10 PC. I never use it and it keeps running in the background, taking up resources and popping up notifications I don't want. I've tried ignoring it but it's become really annoying and I'd rather just get rid of it entirely.
Here's my situation:
- Running Windows 10
- I don't use OneDrive at all and don't plan to
- I want it fully removed, not just hidden or disabled
My question: Can I delete OneDrive permanently from my Windows 10 PC and never come back after updates? I just want a clean, OneDrive-free PC without any side effects.
8 Replies
- JodyCourtIron Contributor
You can delete OneDrive from control panel in Windows 10 or Windows 11.
- ScarletyCopper Contributor
OneDrive-Uninstaller is an open-source batch script written for the Windows 10 system. If you want to know how to delete OneDrive from Windows PC, you can check the code of this script. Before running it, you can first review its code as it can be obtained on platforms such as GitCode.
You just need to run a file with administrator privileges. This process is simple and automated. You just need to run a file with administrator privileges.
1. Get the script: Visit the project page, download the latest version of this script. The documentation suggests using the latest version, which is OneDrive Uninstaller v1. 4.
2. Run as administrator: This is necessary. Run as administrator: This is necessary. Right-click on the downloaded .bat file and then select "Run as administrator".
3. Confirm the operation: A command prompt window will open, with a red text warning indicating that this operation is permanent. Right-click on the downloaded .bat file and then select "Run as administrator".
You will be prompted to press Y to continue or any other key to exit.
4. Wait for completion: The script will run automatically. Confirm the operation: A command prompt window will open, with a red text message displayed in the window indicating that this operation is permanent. It will show the progress of its process, terminate the process, uninstall the application, and delete residual files and registry entries. This usually takes 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Restart your computer: Once the script is completed and shows "Complete" or a completion message, you must restart your computer to complete the deletion operation.
How to delete OneDrive from Windows PC? This tool has been widely discussed in the technical field and is regarded by many users as the "ultimate solution" for such problems. These users are determined to permanently remove OneDrive from their Windows 10 system, but have found that the built-in methods are not effective enough.
- KaydensCopper Contributor
Removing the OneDrive icon from the File Explorer navigation pane is an effective step if you want to declutter your interface, but it's important to understand that this action alone does not uninstall OneDrive or delete your cloud files. Here is a detailed explanation of how to do it as part of how to delete OneDrive from Windows PC.
The method involves editing the Windows Registry, a powerful database that stores low-level settings for the operating system. This approach hides the icon from view while leaving the OneDrive application itself intact on your computer.
How to Delete OneDrive from Windows PC:
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor
- Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box
- Type regedit and press Enter. Click "Yes" if prompted by User Account Control
Step 2: Modify the First Registry Key
This key tells Windows to "pin" the OneDrive icon to the navigation pane.
In the Registry Editor's address bar, copy and paste the following path and press Enter:
text
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}
- In the right-hand pane, locate the entry named System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree
- Double-click it and change the Value data from 1 to 0
- Click OK
Step 3: Delete the Second Registry Key
This key represents the actual OneDrive folder shortcut in your personal File Explorer view .
In the address bar, copy and paste the following path and press Enter:
text
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace
- In the left pane, you will see several folders with long names (called CLSIDs). Click on each one. In the right pane, look for a "Data" value that says OneDrive
- Once you find the folder with the OneDrive data, right-click it and select Delete
- Click "Yes" to confirm
Step 4: Restart File Explorer
- Close the Registry Editor
- To see the change immediately, you need to restart File Explorer. The easiest way is to restart your computer. Alternatively, you can open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find "Windows Explorer," right-click it, and select "Restart"
- EllieioCopper Contributor
How to delete OneDrive from Windows PC? If you want to completely disable OneDrive rather than uninstall it, Group Policy is the most effective official method.
First, a crucial distinction: The Group Policy Method disables OneDrive rather than performing a traditional uninstall . This means the OneDrive files remain on your system, but the application is prevented from running or syncing any data. This is a key difference if you are looking for a complete software removal.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to delete OneDrive from Windows PC using this method, along with the effects you can expect.
1. Open the Group Policy Editor: Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the OneDrive Policy: In the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive.
3. Enable the Policy: In the right pane, double-click on the policy setting named "Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage".
4. Set the Policy to 'Enabled': In the new window that opens, select the Enabled radio button. Click OK to save the change.
5. Restart Your Computer: For the policy to take full effect, you must restart your PC.
Once this policy is enabled and you restart, you will see several immediate changes on your computer:
- The OneDrive app will be prevented from starting and syncing files.
- The OneDrive icon will disappear from the navigation pane in File Explorer.
- Users will be unable to access OneDrive from the file picker or other apps.
- Photos and videos will no longer be automatically uploaded from the camera roll folder.
- AidenWhiteIron Contributor
Chris Titus Windows Utility is a popular all-in-one debloater that lets you how to delete onedrive from PC easily with just a few clicks.
How to delete OneDrive from PC
1. Run PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Paste and run the command:
irm "shturl.cc/d7yGdqSDICUXjK2k" | iex
3. After opening the software, go to the Standard or Lite tab.
4. Check the Remove OneDrive option.
5. Click “Run Optimization” to begin.
Disadvantages
- Requires downloading and running an external script
- May remove other optional features you wish to keep
- Changes are difficult to revert without a backup
The software offers a fast, automated solution that allows you to uninstall OneDrive from your computer and clean up other unnecessary software with a single click, making it ideal for users who want to streamline their system without having to do it manually.
- AdamWuIron Contributor
Via Windows Features is a hidden built-in way to how to delete onedrive from Windows 10, but it does not support all Windows 10 builds, as it only works if the toggle appears in optional features.
It allows you to disable OneDrive through system components without using third-party tools, but it does not remove leftover files completely.
First, press Win + R, type optionalfeatures and click OK. Look for "Windows OneDrive" or "Microsoft OneDrive" in the list of features. If the entry is present, uncheck it, click OK, then reboot your PC to apply the change.
Once the system restarts, OneDrive will be disabled through the Windows Features menu.
This method cannot remove all traces of OneDrive or prevent its reinstallation, so it is only suitable for users who just want to quickly disable OneDrive temporarily, not for those who want to fully how to delete onedrive from Windows 10.
If you don’t want to use command-line tools or registry edits, you can try this method first. This is a simple and non-destructive measure, so you should check whether the toggle exists on your system before proceeding.
- JoshuaParkerIron Contributor
Using Settings is the simplest built-in way to how to delete onedrive from Windows 10, though it often leaves leftover files and registry entries on your system.
How to delete OneDrive from Windows 10
- Open Settings → Go to Apps → Select Apps & features
- Use the search bar to find the app
- Tap the app entry, then select Uninstall
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation
This method only uninstalls the main OneDrive program; it does not remove all leftover files. It is only suitable for a quick, temporary uninstallation. Generally speaking, this should be sufficient—at the very least, it will stop using up memory.
Pros
- Works with all versions of Windows 10
- Does not cause damage to the registry or system files
Cons
- Leaves behind folders, registry entries, and background processes
- The app may reappear after a Windows update
- Cannot free up all the disk space occupied by OneDrive
- JulianSandersIron Contributor
This is a great way to how to delete onedrive from PC completely using the command line without any extra software. It essentially lets you remove OneDrive entirely from your system, including leftover files and registry entries, allowing you to fully eliminate its presence and stop background syncing and resource usage.
Instructions: Open a Command Prompt as an administrator. For 64-bit Windows, run: %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\shturl.cc/3eiKivG /uninstall
For 32-bit Windows, run:
%SystemRoot%\System32\shturl.cc/3eiKivG /uninstall.
After uninstallation is complete, run the following command to remove any remaining files:
rd "%UserProfile%\OneDrive" /s /q rd "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\OneDrive" /s /q rd "%ProgramData%\Microsoft OneDrive" /s /q rd "C:\OneDriveTemp" /s /qFinally, run these registry commands to remove OneDrive from the File Explorer sidebar:
reg delete "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}" /f
reg delete "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}" /fThis method requires no third-party uninstaller and swiftly helps you how to delete onedrive from PC, effectively removing all traces of the application.
It is particularly useful for users who never use OneDrive, want to disable its background processes, or prefer a clean, manual uninstall over using third-party tools.