Uninstalling OneDrive completely depends on your operating system and whether you want to keep your files

Removing OneDrive is straightforward on Windows or Mac, but the process differs slightly between them. Before you start, decide whether you want to keep the files stored in your OneDrive folder — if you do, move them to another location first, because uninstalling OneDrive will delete the local copy on your computer. The cloud copy stays in your Microsoft account, but you won't see it synced to your machine anymore.

On Windows 10 or 11, you can uninstall OneDrive through Settings, or you can remove it by signing out and disabling it so it doesn't launch at startup. On a Mac, the process is simpler: you quit the app and move it to Trash. If you're on an older version of Windows or a work computer, your options may be limited by your IT department.

Key Takeaways

  • Move any files you want to keep out of your OneDrive folder before uninstalling, because the local copies will be deleted.
  • On Windows 10 and 11, you can uninstall OneDrive through Settings or disable it so it doesn't run at startup without fully removing it.
  • On a Mac, quit OneDrive and drag it to Trash from your Applications folder.
  • If you use a work or school account, your IT department may prevent you from uninstalling OneDrive entirely.
  • After uninstalling, your files remain in your Microsoft account online but will no longer sync to your computer.

How to uninstall OneDrive on Windows 10 and 11

The easiest route on Windows is to go to Settings, then Apps, then Apps & Features. Scroll down until you find Microsoft OneDrive, click it, then click Uninstall. Windows will ask you to confirm; click Uninstall again. The app will be removed, and OneDrive will no longer run on your computer.

If you want to keep OneDrive installed but stop it from running in the background, you can disable it instead. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray (bottom right of your screen, near the clock), then click Settings. Go to the Account tab and click Sign out. OneDrive will stop syncing, but the app remains on your computer. You can turn it back on anytime by signing in again.

If you can't find OneDrive in Apps & Features, it may be built into Windows and cannot be uninstalled through Settings. In that case, you can disable it by opening Task Scheduler (search for "Task Scheduler" in the Windows search box), navigating to Microsoft > Windows > OneDrive, and disabling the tasks listed there. This prevents OneDrive from launching automatically, though the app itself stays installed.

How to uninstall OneDrive on Mac

On a Mac, quit OneDrive first by clicking the OneDrive icon in the menu bar (top right of your screen) and selecting Quit OneDrive. Then open Finder, go to Applications, find Microsoft OneDrive, and drag it to Trash. Empty Trash to complete the removal.

If you want to stop OneDrive from launching at startup without removing it entirely, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), go to General, then Login Items, find OneDrive, and click the minus button to remove it from the startup list. OneDrive will remain installed but won't run automatically when you restart your computer.

What happens to your files after you uninstall OneDrive

The files in your OneDrive folder on your computer will be deleted when you uninstall. However, anything you uploaded to OneDrive stays in your Microsoft account online. You can still access it by signing into OneDrive.com in a web browser, even after you've removed the app from your computer.

If you reinstall OneDrive later and sign in with the same Microsoft account, those files will sync back down to your computer. The cloud copy is never deleted just because you uninstall the app — only the local sync stops.

Uninstalling OneDrive on work or school computers

If you use a work or school account, your IT department may have locked down OneDrive so you cannot uninstall it. Attempting to uninstall may show an error message saying the operation is not permitted. In that case, contact your IT support team — they control whether OneDrive can be removed on your device.

You can still sign out of OneDrive on a work computer, which stops it from syncing your files. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, click Settings, go to the Account tab, and click Sign out. Your organization's files will no longer sync to your machine, but the app will remain installed.

Removing OneDrive from older versions of Windows

On Windows 7 or Windows 8, OneDrive (then called SkyDrive) may not appear in your Apps list. Instead, go to Control Panel, then Programs and Features, find OneDrive or SkyDrive in the list, and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts to remove it.

If you're running Windows 8.1 or earlier and OneDrive is built into the operating system, you may not be able to uninstall it completely. In that case, you can disable it by signing out and preventing it from launching at startup. Open the OneDrive app, click the settings icon, go to Account, and click Sign out.

Stopping OneDrive from running without uninstalling it

If you want to keep OneDrive installed but prevent it from using your computer's resources, you can disable it in several ways. The simplest is to sign out: right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray or menu bar, go to Settings, and click Sign out. OneDrive will stop syncing when ready.

You can also prevent OneDrive from launching when your computer starts. On Windows, open Task Scheduler, navigate to Microsoft > Windows > OneDrive, and disable the tasks. On Mac, open System Settings, go to General, click Login Items, find OneDrive, and remove it. OneDrive will remain on your computer but won't run unless you open it manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling OneDrive delete my files?

The files in your OneDrive folder on your computer will be deleted, but your files in your Microsoft account online will remain. You can access them anytime by signing into OneDrive.com in a web browser. If you reinstall OneDrive and sign in, those files will sync back to your computer.

Can I uninstall OneDrive if I use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows?

Yes, you can uninstall OneDrive even if you use a Microsoft account for Windows login. Your Windows account and OneDrive are separate, so removing OneDrive won't affect your ability to sign into Windows. You'll just lose the file syncing feature.

What if I see an error when I try to uninstall OneDrive?

If OneDrive is in use by another program or process, Windows won't let you uninstall it. Close any open files from your OneDrive folder, sign out of OneDrive, and try again. If you're on a work computer, contact your IT department — they may have locked OneDrive to prevent removal.

Can I turn OneDrive back on after I uninstall it?

Yes. On Windows, you can reinstall OneDrive from the Microsoft Store. On Mac, you can read it from Microsoft's website. Sign in with your Microsoft account, and your files will sync back to your computer.

Does uninstalling OneDrive affect my Microsoft Office files?

Uninstalling OneDrive doesn't affect Microsoft Office itself. However, if you store Office files in OneDrive and rely on syncing, you'll lose that feature. Your files remain in your Microsoft account online and can be opened through OneDrive.com or Office.com.