The fastest way to remove OneDrive depends on your operating system

On Windows 10 and 11, you can uninstall OneDrive through Settings without affecting your files. On Mac, the process is simpler but requires a few manual steps. On any system, you have the choice between removing just the app or removing it completely along with your synced files. Most people want to keep their files and just stop the app from running — that's the safest starting point.

Before you start, decide what you want to happen to the files OneDrive was syncing. If they're stored only in OneDrive and nowhere else, read them first. If they're also on your computer's hard drive, you can remove OneDrive without losing anything. This choice determines which removal method makes sense for you.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, search for OneDrive, and click Uninstall to remove the app while keeping your files on your computer.
  • On Mac, quit OneDrive, drag it to Trash from the Applications folder, and remove the OneDrive folder from your user directory if you want to delete synced files too.
  • If you want to keep files synced to OneDrive but stop the app from running, you can disable it in startup settings instead of uninstalling.
  • Removing OneDrive does not affect Microsoft 365 or other Microsoft services — you can still use Word, Excel, and Outlook normally.
  • If OneDrive is tied to a work or school account, your IT department may have policies that prevent full removal.

Uninstalling OneDrive on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start menu and type "Settings". Go to Apps, then Apps & features. Scroll down or search for "OneDrive" in the search box at the top. Click on OneDrive when you find it, then click the Uninstall button that appears.

Windows will ask you to confirm. Click Uninstall again. The process takes a minute or two. When it's done, OneDrive will no longer appear in your system tray (the icons in the bottom right corner of your taskbar) and won't start automatically when you turn on your computer.

Your files remain on your computer in the OneDrive folder, usually located at C:\Users\[Your Username]\OneDrive. You can move them to another folder, delete them, or leave them where they are. OneDrive won't touch them once the app is gone.

Removing OneDrive on Mac

First, quit OneDrive. Click the OneDrive icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then click the gear icon and select Quit OneDrive. Alternatively, press Command + Q while OneDrive is the active app.

Open Finder and go to Applications. Find Microsoft OneDrive, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. Then go to your user folder (click the house icon in Finder's sidebar), press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files, and look for a folder named OneDrive. Move that to Trash as well. Empty your Trash to complete the removal.

Your synced files are stored in the OneDrive folder you just deleted. If you want to keep them, move the OneDrive folder to your Documents or Desktop before deleting it, or copy the files you need to a different location first.

Stopping OneDrive from starting automatically without uninstalling

If you want to keep OneDrive installed but prevent it from running in the background, you can disable it in your startup settings instead. On Windows, press Windows key + R, type "msconfig", and press Enter. Go to the Startup tab, find OneDrive in the list, right-click it, and select Disable. Click OK and restart your computer.

Alternatively, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the Startup tab, right-click OneDrive, and select Disable. This method doesn't require a restart.

On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items. Find OneDrive under "Allow in the Login Items" and click the minus button to remove it. OneDrive won't start when you log in, but the app remains on your computer if you want to use it later.

What happens to your files after you remove OneDrive

Files stored only in OneDrive's cloud storage remain there — removing the app doesn't delete them from Microsoft's servers. You can still access them by logging into OneDrive.com in a web browser. If you had files synced to your computer (stored in the OneDrive folder), those remain on your hard drive after you uninstall the app.

If you delete the OneDrive folder itself, those synced files are gone from your computer, but they still exist in your OneDrive cloud storage. You can recover them by logging into OneDrive.com and downloading them again, though recovery is only possible for 93 days after deletion.

OneDrive and Microsoft 365 or work accounts

Removing OneDrive does not affect Microsoft 365, Outlook, Word, Excel, or any other Microsoft service. You can still use these apps normally. If your OneDrive is connected to a work or school account, your organization's IT department may have set policies that prevent you from uninstalling OneDrive or that reinstall it automatically.

If you work for an organization and OneDrive keeps reappearing after you remove it, contact your IT support team. They can tell you whether removal is allowed under your company's policies and may be able to disable OneDrive remotely if it's not permitted.

Reinstalling OneDrive if you change your mind

If you remove OneDrive and later want it back, you can reinstall it. On Windows, go to the Microsoft Store, search for OneDrive, and click Install. On Mac, read OneDrive from Microsoft's website or install it through the Mac App Store. Sign in with your Microsoft account, and OneDrive will start syncing your files again.

Your files in OneDrive's cloud storage are still there. When you sign back in, OneDrive will sync them to your computer again, though this can take time depending on how many files you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will removing OneDrive delete my files?

No. Files stored in OneDrive's cloud remain accessible through OneDrive.com. Files in the OneDrive folder on your computer stay on your hard drive. Only if you manually delete the OneDrive folder will those synced files be removed from your computer, though they can still be recovered from the cloud for 93 days.

Can I remove OneDrive if I use Microsoft 365?

Yes. Microsoft 365 and OneDrive are separate services. Removing OneDrive does not affect Word, Excel, Outlook, or any other Microsoft 365 app. You can still save and open files in Microsoft 365 apps normally.

Why does OneDrive keep coming back after I uninstall it?

If you have a work or school account, your organization's IT policies may automatically reinstall OneDrive. Contact your IT department to ask whether removal is permitted. Windows updates can also reinstall OneDrive on some systems, though this is less common on recent versions.

Can I just disable OneDrive instead of uninstalling it?

Yes. Disabling it in startup settings or Task Manager stops it from running automatically without removing the app. This is useful if you think you might want to use OneDrive again later, or if your organization requires it to be installed.

What if I only want to stop syncing one folder?

You don't need to remove OneDrive entirely. Open OneDrive settings, go to the Account tab, click Choose folders, and uncheck the folders you don't want to sync. OneDrive will stop syncing those folders but continue running normally for the others.