How to disable OneDrive and stop it from coming up when I use SAVE As

[desertcairns500]

I uninstalled OneDrive and its folders.  I could not find the setting icon to unlink my computer prior to uninstalling it.  It still is the first option that pops up under Save as....this is hindering my productivity.

Do I need to reinstall it and then try again to find the setting?  All the posts online say to access the OneDrive help and setting icon...then click settings, then account, and select unlink this computer.  The OneDrive setting icon does list and account option.  This is so frustrating.

I feel held hostage by OneDrive which I don't want.  Any help would be appreciated to resolve this annoyance.

[#2]

@desertcairns500 

If you have uninstalled OneDrive but it’s still showing up as an option when you use the "Save As" dialog, it's likely because OneDrive integration with Windows is still active, and the uninstallation didn't fully remove all components. To completely disable OneDrive and remove it from the "Save As" options, you can follow these steps:

Method 1: Disable OneDrive Integration

1. Press Win + R: This will open the Run dialog.
2. Type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter: This will open the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "OneDrive".
4. Find the policy called "Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage".
5. Double-click on the policy to open its properties.
6. Select "Enabled" to disable OneDrive integration.
7. Click "Apply" and then "OK".

Method 2: Modify the Windows Registry

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Windows Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}".
4. Right-click on this key and choose "Export". Save it to your computer as a backup.
5. Delete the key (folder) "{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}".
6. Restart your computer.

After performing either of these methods, OneDrive should no longer appear in the "Save As" dialog or any file dialog in Windows.

Please note that editing the Windows Registry and Group Policy can be sensitive operations, and making incorrect changes can affect your system. Make sure to follow the steps carefully, and it is a good practice to back up your system or registry before making any changes. If you are not comfortable with these steps, you may want to seek assistance from someone with more experience in managing Windows settings. The proposed solutions are untested. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

Was the answer useful? Mark as best response and Like it!

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[#3]

@NikolinoDE 
Hi, is your above recommendation the easiest way to do it ? , as for me, its a bit tricky but I will try Method 1 only as deleting stuff in the registry is not something that I usually do 

thank you 

@wolfgangu 

[#4]

@NikolinoDE 

I tried your Method 1: explanation below and an error message popped up that Windows could not find gpedit.msc.  Make sure you typed the correct name, and then try again.  My backstory is I can NOT find my OneDrive account anywhere, nor do I recall installing it ever.  I have an old free version of hotmail, now outlook email account.  My OneDrive is full, and I am no longer able to receive/send emails.  My regular mailbox has plenty of space.  I have searched the Settings on my computer - Apps & features - and NO OneDrive or Microsoft OneDrive anywhere.  I have searched my entire computer and found nothing!  When I log into my email account, a message pops up that my account is full and to please delete files in my OneDrive.  When I go to settings, there is no Account or Syncing & Backup option.  I have tried everything and read through every post on the community help board.  I really just want my email account back, as I feel Microsoft has been holding it hostage.  There is no reason for me to pay to upgrade my storage as that has never been an issue for me, until this OneDrive issue.  Any suggestions by you or anyone else would be greatly appreciated!!

Since I can't get any emails from my current hotmail account, please email responses to my new account at sewwht2 @ gmail dot com please.

Thanks in advance for your time and attention!

[#5]

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing with OneDrive and your email account. Unfortunately, I cannot send emails, but I can offer some additional guidance to help you resolve the issue:

1. Finding and Unlinking OneDrive:

If you're unable to find OneDrive on your computer, you may try searching for it in the Start menu or File Explorer. If it's not there, it might not be installed.

To unlink your computer from OneDrive, you can try reinstalling it, then follow the steps you mentioned earlier to unlink your computer. After that, you can uninstall it again.

2. Checking OneDrive Status Online:

Go to the OneDrive website (https://onedrive.live.com) and log in with your Microsoft account credentials.

Check if you can find your OneDrive files and manage your account settings from there.

3. Managing Email Storage:

To address the issue of your email account being full due to OneDrive, consider deleting unnecessary files from your OneDrive storage through the web interface.

Ensure that your email account is not set to automatically save attachments to OneDrive.

4. Contacting Microsoft Support:

If you're still experiencing issues, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for assistance. They can provide specific guidance tailored to your account and may help resolve the problem.

5. Upgrading Email Storage:

If the issue persists and you're unable to resolve it with the free storage provided, you might need to consider upgrading your OneDrive storage or contacting Microsoft Support for assistance in resolving the storage-related issues affecting your email account.

Remember to back up important data before making any changes to your system or account settings. If you continue to face challenges, Microsoft Support will be the most reliable resource for resolving account-specific issues.

[#6]

I did Method 1 no problem, "enabled" all the options to disable one drive (enable is not intuitive to disable), Save as STILL defaults to one drive. This is soooo frustrating. The cloud icon is not in my notification area, Uninstall programs doesn't show one drive. etc. its like its hiding and hijacking all my files. please help me uninstall it. I've tried everything offered online, no success.

[#7]

@keelyinlagmailcom 

If you've already disabled OneDrive using the Group Policy Editor and the "Save As" still defaults to OneDrive, you can try a few additional steps to ensure that OneDrive integration is fully disabled. Please note that these steps involve editing the Windows Registry, so proceed with caution, and back up your system before making any changes.

Edit the Windows Registry:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.

2. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Windows Registry Editor.

Caution: The Windows Registry is a critical part of the operating system. Incorrect changes can cause serious issues. Be cautious and follow the steps carefully.

3. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6} 

4. In the right pane, right-click on the "{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}" key and choose "Delete."

5. Close the Registry Editor.

Restart Your Computer:

After making these changes, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Verify OneDrive Uninstallation:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to "C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive" (replace [YourUsername] with your actual username).
2. If the "OneDrive" folder is still present, delete it.

Check "Save As" Again:

After completing these steps, try using the "Save As" function in Excel to check if OneDrive is still the default location.

Note:

• If you're still having issues, it's possible that remnants of OneDrive may persist. In such cases, you may need to use a third-party uninstaller. There are various third-party uninstaller tools available that can help you remove software more thoroughly than the built-in uninstaller. One popular option is "Revo Uninstaller." You can visit the official website of Revo Uninstaller: https://www.revouninstaller.com/. Revo Uninstaller is just one option, and there are other uninstaller tools available. Always download such tools from reputable sources to ensure their safety and legitimacy.

Remember, making changes to the Windows Registry requires caution. If you are not comfortable with these steps, consider to contact OneDrive Microsoft Support for further guidance.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

[#8]

I got to this in mid-Jan 24. The instructions in method 1 are still spot on. Just follow them as is.

[#9]

Thanks for this. Was getting so frustrated, having tried all the local solutions in the office apps which seem to last all of 5 minutes. Figured there had to be a deeper way to **bleep** this. Sadly this is probably going to be an ongoing battle.

[#10]

may have been helpful when written, but worthless in 2024.

Method 1 fails because "Windows cannot find 'gpedit.msc'

Method 2 fails because there is no HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6} in my registry.

Maybe M$ keeps changing ways to delete OneDrive?

@NikolinoDE 

[#11]

Hi @NikolinoDE - I have the same issue - I'm on Windows 11, version 22H2. I went to gpedit as advised above but I don't have a folder called "Computer Configuration" to navigate to- do you know if there may be a different name for it?

PS - I hope MS tech team reads this: I am so so tired of Windows 11 changing my system without notice - every time they change a setting it costs me money - at least when it's new to me - last month it kept defaulting urls to open in Edge - which I don't want - and it took me ages and ages to try and find the problem. Eventually I paid my IT support service £36 to find it for me. Please stop pushing Microsoft defaults on us!

[#12]

Any more on this please, anyone?  I have just realised this thread is addressing Windows 11 Pro users whereas I have Windows Home. So probably that means I am stuck with this. Grrrr! 

[#13]

I am on Windows 11 Pro. I tried Methods 1 & 2 and both failed. Number 1 did not have OneDrive in the lists of apps. Number 2 failed because there was no HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6} in my registry. I've tried every possible instruction to remove and/or disable "OneDrive - Personal" at the top of the Save As. I REALLY WANT TO GET RID OF ONEDRIVE! HELP - HELP- HELP. I have never purposely put anything on cloud & I don't intend to do now. Do I need to Unix or Linux, or???? I've been with MS Windows for more than 45 years. The reason I stayed with MS is I hated Apple because everything was "locked down". It was either the "apple way or the highway". Why would MS want to make an operating system that acted like an Apple device. MAKE ME HAPPY MICROSOFT. I don't make me pay for something I don't need. I have my own personal cloud. Fix this problem or give me a workaround.

[#14]

@desertcairns500 

It seems like many users are having difficulty disabling or removing OneDrive from their Windows systems. But it couldn't be more different for everyone, as everyone could have different configurations. As a final comment in this forum, I would like to provide some additional information and possible solutions based on the problems addressed::

1. For users unable to find gpedit.msc or experiencing errors with Method 1:

• Ensure that you're using a Windows edition that includes the Group Policy Editor. It's typically available in Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, but not in Windows Home.
• If you're using Windows Home or another edition without gpedit.msc, you can try using the Registry Editor method (Method 2) or consider alternative solutions provided by Microsoft or third-party tools.

2. For users unable to locate the registry key in Method 2:

• It's possible that the registry key may have been renamed or relocated in newer Windows versions or updates. You can try searching for alternative keys related to OneDrive or consult Microsoft documentation or forums for updated instructions.
• Additionally, ensure that you're accessing the correct registry hive (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT) and that you have the necessary permissions to make changes.

3. For users on Windows 11 encountering issues:

• Windows 11 may have different settings or configurations compared to previous versions, which could affect the removal of OneDrive. Ensure that any instructions or solutions you're following are specific to Windows 11.
• Consider reaching out to Microsoft Support or consulting Windows 11-specific resources for assistance with disabling or removing OneDrive.

4. Consider alternative approaches:

• If built-in methods like Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor prove ineffective, you can explore third-party uninstaller tools designed to remove software more thoroughly. Tools like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller may help in removing stubborn software remnants.
• Another option is to explore cloud storage alternatives that better suit your needs and preferences. There are many cloud storage providers available, offering various features and pricing plans.

5. Express feedback to Microsoft:

• If you're dissatisfied with changes or defaults imposed by Microsoft, consider providing feedback through official channels such as the Feedback Hub or Microsoft Community forums. Microsoft values user feedback and may consider it in future updates or revisions.

Ultimately, resolving issues with OneDrive removal or disabling may require a combination of troubleshooting steps, careful navigation of system settings, and potentially seeking assistance from Microsoft Support.

Note:

• Thank you all for your contribution. However, it's important to note that each user should post their own inquiries separately rather than adding additional questions within an existing post. This helps maintain clarity the conversation. Please feel free to create a new post for any additional questions you may have. Thank you for your understanding.
• Any third-party products or information I have provided are for reference only.
• I'm a simple user like most people here in the forum. I am not an employee of Microsoft and in no way indirectly. My knowledge and information are without guarantee and only serve to provide support insofar as they can be helpful. Help to be helped.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

[#15]

Has anyone tried this?

REG delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /f /v "OneDrive"

[#16]

@desertcairns500 

I want to keep the OPTION to save to OneDrive. I just do not want it to default and show up. on any application.

I cannot unsee it  Again, I do not want remove One Drive just have it not be first option to save as

[#17]

@NikolinoDE

Thanks for the suggestions. 

I used the first method but, in total contradiction of what the policy setting claims to control, MSWord still wants to impose Onedrive as the default save location. Ridiculous. 

[#18]

One /Drive is a money making machine for Microsoft, I had same proble. Microsoft blocked my email stating FULL as due to One Drive, which I blocked since November 2023. i had to fork out for subscription to re use my email address.

moving now to old yahoo and gmail.

[#19]

You can change the default save location from within a MS app ex. MS Word. To do that open MS Word and look for ‘Options’ in the left side pane. If you don’t see ‘Options’ look under ‘More..’. Your version of Office might be different. Once you have the options window open click the ‘Save’ title. The options under ‘Save’ let you browse to and choose your default save location as well as other save preferences.

[#20]

@RJUSA

Thanks for the suggestion but this setting has no impact at all on OneDrive which always does it's own thing.