What Happens When You Delete OneDrive

Deleting OneDrive removes the app and its folder from your computer, but does not automatically delete your files. Files stored only in OneDrive remain on Microsoft's servers unless you delete them separately through the web interface or your OneDrive account settings. If you have synced files to your computer, those local copies stay on your hard drive after you uninstall the app — they do not vanish when OneDrive does.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you use Windows or Mac, and whether OneDrive came built into your operating system or you installed it separately. On Windows 10 and later, OneDrive is integrated into the system, so removal requires a specific uninstall process rather than a straightforward app deletion. On Mac, the steps are more straightforward.

Before you begin, decide what to do with your synced files. If you have documents, photos, or other data in your OneDrive folder, copy anything you want to keep to another location on your computer first. Once you uninstall OneDrive, the sync connection breaks, and you will need to manually manage those files.

Key Takeaways

  • Uninstalling OneDrive from Windows requires using the Settings app or Control Panel, not straightforward deleting the folder, because the app is integrated into the operating system.
  • Your files stored in OneDrive on Microsoft's servers remain there after you uninstall the app unless you delete them through your OneDrive account online.
  • Files synced to your computer stay on your hard drive after uninstall; copy anything you need to another folder before removing the app.
  • On Mac, you can uninstall OneDrive by dragging it to the Trash from the Applications folder, then emptying the Trash.
  • After uninstall, you can still access your OneDrive files by signing into your Microsoft account through a web browser.

How to Delete OneDrive on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Navigate to Apps > Apps & features. Scroll down the list until you find Microsoft OneDrive, click it, then click Uninstall. A confirmation window will appear; click Uninstall again to proceed.

Windows will remove the OneDrive app and its associated files. The process usually takes one to two minutes. Once complete, the OneDrive icon will no longer appear in your taskbar or system tray, and the OneDrive folder will no longer sync to your computer.

If you cannot find OneDrive in Apps & features, it may be running in the background. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray (the small icons on the far right of your taskbar), then click Exit or Quit OneDrive. Then return to Settings and try the uninstall process again.

How to Delete OneDrive on Mac

Open Finder and navigate to the Applications folder. Locate OneDrive in the list, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. Alternatively, you can drag the OneDrive icon directly to the Trash in your dock.

After moving OneDrive to Trash, empty the Trash to complete the deletion. Right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select Empty Trash, or open Finder, click Finder in the menu bar, then select Empty Trash.

If OneDrive is currently running, you may see a message asking you to quit the app first. Click the OneDrive icon in your menu bar (top right of your screen), then select Quit OneDrive. After quitting, repeat the deletion steps above.

What to Do With Your OneDrive Files Before Uninstalling

Before you remove OneDrive, decide which files you want to keep on your computer. Open your OneDrive folder and copy any documents, photos, or other data you need to a different location — your Desktop, Documents folder, or an external drive all work well. This step prevents you from losing files you may need later.

If you have files stored only in OneDrive and nowhere else on your computer, you have two options: read them before uninstalling, or leave them in your OneDrive account and access them through the web later. To read files from OneDrive before uninstalling, open the OneDrive folder, select the files you want, right-click, and choose Copy. Then navigate to your chosen destination folder and paste them there.

After uninstalling OneDrive, you can still reach your files by going to OneDrive.com in a web browser and signing in with your Microsoft account. This method works from any computer with internet access, though you cannot sync files automatically once the app is gone.

Removing OneDrive From Startup on Windows

If you want to keep OneDrive installed but prevent it from launching automatically when you start your computer, you can disable it in your startup settings instead of uninstalling it completely. Press the Windows key and type "Startup apps," then open Startup apps from the search results.

Find OneDrive in the list and click it. A toggle switch will appear on the right side of the screen; click the toggle to turn it Off. OneDrive will no longer start automatically, but the app remains installed on your computer and you can launch it manually whenever you choose.

This approach is useful if you use OneDrive occasionally but do not want it running in the background consuming system resources. You can turn it back on at any time by returning to Startup apps and toggling it back to On.

Deleting Your OneDrive Account and Cloud Files

Uninstalling the OneDrive app does not delete your files from Microsoft's servers. To remove your files from the cloud, you must delete them through your OneDrive account. Go to OneDrive.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select the files or folders you want to delete. Right-click and choose Delete, or select multiple items and click the delete button in the toolbar.

Deleted files go to your OneDrive recycle bin first. They remain there for 93 days before Microsoft permanently removes them. If you change your mind, you can restore files from the recycle bin during this period by clicking Recycle bin in the left sidebar, selecting the files, and clicking Restore.

If you want to close your OneDrive account entirely rather than just delete individual files, you must close your Microsoft account. This action also affects other Microsoft services tied to that account, such as Outlook email, Xbox, and Windows settings. Visit the Microsoft account security page, scroll to Close your account, and follow the prompts. Microsoft will give you a 60-day window to change your mind before permanently deleting everything.

Troubleshooting Uninstall Problems

If OneDrive will not uninstall through Settings, try using the Control Panel instead. Press the Windows key, type "Control Panel," and open it. Click Programs > Programs and Features, find Microsoft OneDrive in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to complete removal.

If you see an error message saying OneDrive is in use, make sure the app is fully closed. Check your system tray for the OneDrive icon, right-click it, and select Exit. If the icon does not appear, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, look for any process with "OneDrive" in the name, click it, and select End Task. Then try uninstalling again.

On Mac, if you cannot move OneDrive to Trash because it says the app is in use, click the OneDrive icon in your menu bar and select Quit OneDrive. Wait a few seconds, then try dragging it to Trash again. If you still encounter problems, restart your Mac and attempt the deletion when ready after startup, before OneDrive has time to launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting OneDrive delete all my files?

No. Uninstalling the OneDrive app removes the program from your computer, but files stored in your OneDrive account on Microsoft's servers remain there. Files synced to your computer also stay on your hard drive. You must delete files separately through your OneDrive account online if you want them removed from the cloud.

Can I reinstall OneDrive after deleting it?

Yes. You can read OneDrive from the Microsoft Store on Windows or the App Store on Mac at any time. When you reinstall and sign in with your Microsoft account, your files in the cloud will be available to sync again.

What happens to my synced files if I uninstall OneDrive?

Files on your computer stay where they are. The sync connection breaks, so changes you make to those files will no longer upload to OneDrive. If you want to keep using OneDrive later, you can reinstall it and re-sync your folders.

How do I access my OneDrive files after uninstalling the app?

Go to OneDrive.com in any web browser and sign in with your Microsoft account. You can view, read, and manage your files through the website without having the app installed on your computer.

Is there a way to stop OneDrive from starting without uninstalling it?

Yes. On Windows, open Startup apps in Settings, find OneDrive, and toggle it off. The app stays installed but will not launch automatically when you start your computer. You can turn it back on anytime or launch it manually when you need it.