How to Turn Off OneDrive on Windows

OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that allows users to store and access files from any device. While this can be a useful tool for some, others may prefer to use alternative cloud storage services or simply not use cloud storage at all. If you fall into the latter category, you may be wondering how to turn off OneDrive on your Windows computer. In this article, we will discuss the steps you can take to remove or disable OneDrive on your Windows device.

Disable OneDrive from Startup

OneDrive is set to automatically start when you turn on your computer. To disable this, you can follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (located in the bottom right corner of your screen).
2. Select “Settings” from the menu.
3. Go to the “Settings” tab and uncheck the box next to “Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows.”
4. Click “OK” to save the changes.

This will prevent OneDrive from automatically starting when you turn on your computer.

Unlink OneDrive from Your Account

If you want to completely remove OneDrive from your computer, you can unlink it from your account. This will remove all OneDrive files and folders from your computer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
2. Select “Settings” from the menu.
3. Go to the “Account” tab and click on “Unlink this PC.”
4. A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to remove OneDrive files from your computer. Click “Unlink account” to confirm.

This will remove all OneDrive files and folders from your computer.

Disable OneDrive from File Explorer

If you want to keep OneDrive on your computer but don’t want it to be easily accessible, you can disable it from File Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the “View” tab at the top of the window.
3. Click on the “Options” button.
4. In the “General” tab, uncheck the box next to “Show sync provider notifications.”
5. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

This will remove the OneDrive icon from File Explorer and prevent it from syncing with your computer.

Uninstall OneDrive

If you want to completely remove OneDrive from your computer, you can uninstall it. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter.
3. In the list of installed programs, find and click on “Microsoft OneDrive.”
4. Click on “Uninstall” and follow the prompts to remove OneDrive from your computer.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can turn off OneDrive on your Windows computer. Whether you want to completely remove it or just disable it from starting up, these methods will help you customize your computer to your preferences. If you have any questions or need further assistance, let us know in the comments below.