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How to disable OneDrive?

Maria Wilson 0 Reputation points
2026-05-29T11:58:50.6133333+00:00

I am having issues with my file folders and I want to disable my One Drive. How do I disable One Drive and remove my files to an external hard drive?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Windows
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  1. EmilyS726 234.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-29T12:30:33.8766667+00:00

    In order for us to sort all of these out, it is necessary (just for now) to get OneDrive desktop app back up and running.

    To do so, go to your Start menu and see if you already have the OneDrive app installed. If so, go ahead and run it, sign in. If you don't have it installed, you will need to download it, install it back and then set it up. You can download it from here: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive/download

    Once you have the OneDrive app up and running again, please follow these steps closely:

    1. Right click on the OneDrive cloud icon on the lower right on your taskbar to go to Settings.
    2. On the "Sync and Backup" tab, click on "Advanced Settings" to expand that section. Then under File On-Demand, click on "Download all files".
    3. Give it plenty of time to allow the files to be downloaded from the online cloud. On your computer's file explorer, you can observe the OneDrive folder and its folders/files inside. You want all of the green checkmark icon to turn solid green with a white checkmark. Depends on how many files you have, this process can take a while, so please be patient.
    4. Once all of the folders and files turn into the solid green icon with white checkmark, you can go back to OneDrive Settings. Very important - click on "Manage Backup" button, then turn off all folders listed there.
    5. After you turn off the folders sync in Step 4, now go to Account tab, click on "Unlink this PC"
    6. Go to your Windows Settings > Apps, find OneDrive and uninstall it.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-05-29T11:59:04.8966667+00:00

    To stop using OneDrive and move files to an external drive, perform two tasks:

    1. Unlink or uninstall OneDrive (disables it on the PC)
    2. Move files from the local OneDrive folder to the external drive

    1. Disable OneDrive on Windows 10/11

    There are two main options: unlink (recommended first) or uninstall.

    Option A – Unlink OneDrive from the computer

    This stops sync but keeps the app installed.

    1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area (system tray) to open the OneDrive pop‑up.
    2. Select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon, then select Settings.
    3. Go to the Account tab.
    4. Select Unlink this PC, then select Unlink account.

    After unlinking, OneDrive stops syncing. Files already on the PC stay where they are until manually moved or deleted. Files remain in the cloud and can be accessed via OneDrive.com.

    Option B – Uninstall OneDrive (if desired)

    This removes the sync app from the PC. Files already downloaded stay on disk.

    1. Select Start, type Programs, then select Add or remove programs (or Settings → Apps → Installed apps).
    2. Under Apps & features, find Microsoft OneDrive.
    3. Select it, then select Uninstall and confirm.

    Uninstalling does not delete cloud copies; they remain available online.

    2. Move OneDrive files to an external hard drive

    Before moving, ensure OneDrive is unlinked or quit so changes are not synced back.

    1. If not already done, unlink OneDrive as above, or:
      • Right‑click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, select Pause syncing, then Quit OneDrive.
    2. Open File Explorer and locate the local OneDrive folder (commonly C:\Users\<username>\OneDrive).
    3. Connect the external hard drive and wait for it to appear under This PC.
    4. In File Explorer, select the files and folders in the OneDrive folder that need to be moved.
    5. Drag them to the external drive, or use Cut (Ctrl+X) and Paste (Ctrl+V) into a folder on the external drive.

    This copies or moves the local copies of OneDrive files to the external drive. Since the account is unlinked or the app is uninstalled, these changes are not synced back to the cloud.

    Notes and options

    • Files remain in OneDrive cloud storage unless deleted from the web interface. Unlinking or uninstalling on the PC does not remove cloud data.
    • If only some folders should stop syncing (instead of disabling OneDrive entirely), use selective sync: see Choose which OneDrive folders to sync to your computer from the referenced articles.
    • If OneDrive should be hidden but not removed, it can be unlinked and the OneDrive folder in File Explorer set to Hidden.

    References:

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