How To Delete Onedrive Windows 10

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of storage space OneDrive takes up on your Windows 10 device? Well, you're not alone. OneDrive is a popular cloud storage service offered by Microsoft, but many users find it unnecessary or prefer other options. So, if you're looking to free up some space and remove OneDrive from your Windows 10, you're in the right place.

Deleting OneDrive from Windows 10 is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. First, you'll need to access the settings menu on your computer. From there, you can navigate to the "Apps & features" section and search for "OneDrive." Once you've located it, click on it and select the "Uninstall" option. This will initiate the removal process, and within a few moments, OneDrive will be completely removed from your Windows 10 device.

Understanding Onedrive in Windows 10

Onedrive is a cloud-based storage service provided by Microsoft that allows users to save, sync, and access files and folders from any device. It comes pre-installed with Windows 10 and offers a convenient way to store and backup your important data. While Onedrive is a useful feature for many users, there may be instances where you want to delete Onedrive from your Windows 10 device. Whether you want to free up storage space or simply prefer using alternative cloud storage solutions, this article will guide you through the process of deleting Onedrive from your Windows 10 system.

Method 1: Unlink Onedrive from Your Computer

The first method to delete Onedrive from Windows 10 is by unlinking it from your computer. This method will disconnect your computer from your Onedrive account while keeping your files intact and accessible through the Onedrive website. Follow these steps to unlink Onedrive:

• Click on the Onedrive icon in the system tray located at the bottom right corner of your screen.
• Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
• In the "Settings" tab, click on the "Unlink OneDrive" button.
• Confirm the action by clicking on "Unlink account."

By following these steps, you will successfully unlink Onedrive from your Windows 10 computer, removing the sync connection and freeing up resources on your device. However, please note that your files will still be available in the Onedrive website, and you can access them by signing in to your Onedrive account.

Method 2: Disable Onedrive at Startup

If you prefer a less drastic approach and want to disable Onedrive from starting up with your computer, you can follow these steps:

• Press "Windows key + R" to open the Run dialog box.
• Type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
• Navigate to "User Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "Onedrive".
• Double-click on the setting "Prevent the usage of Onedrive for file storage".
• Select "Enabled" and click on "Apply" and "OK".

By enabling this setting, you prevent Onedrive from starting up automatically with your computer. Keep in mind that this method only disables the startup of Onedrive and does not remove the program completely.

Method 3: Uninstall Onedrive from Windows 10

If you want to completely remove Onedrive from your Windows 10 device, you can follow these steps to uninstall it:

• Press "Windows key + R" to open the Run dialog box.
• Type "appwiz.cpl" and press Enter to open the Programs and Features window.
• In the list of installed programs, locate "Microsoft Onedrive" and right-click on it.
• Select "Uninstall" and follow the on-screen prompts to remove Onedrive from your computer.

By uninstalling Onedrive, you remove the program completely from your device. This will permanently delete the local Onedrive folder and any synced files. Make sure to back up any important files before proceeding with this method.

Reinstalling Onedrive in Windows 10

If you change your mind and decide to reinstall Onedrive on your Windows 10 device, follow these simple steps:

• Open the Microsoft Onedrive website in your preferred web browser.
• Click on the "Download" button to download the latest version of Onedrive for Windows.
• Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Onedrive.
• Sign in to your Microsoft account when prompted to sync your files with Onedrive.

By following these steps, you can reinstall Onedrive on your Windows 10 device and resume syncing your files to the cloud.

Using Alternative Cloud Storage Solutions

If you decide to delete Onedrive from your Windows 10 device, you may want to consider using alternative cloud storage solutions to store and backup your files. Some popular alternatives include:

• Google Drive: Provides 15 GB of free storage and seamless integration with Google's suite of productivity tools.
• Dropbox: Offers 2 GB of free storage, with the option to upgrade to higher storage plans.
• Box: Provides 10 GB of free storage and focuses on enterprise-level security and collaboration features.
• Amazon Drive: Offers 5 GB of free storage for Amazon Prime members, with additional storage plans available.

These alternatives provide similar cloud storage capabilities and can be easily accessed on Windows 10 and other devices.

Advantages of Deleting Onedrive from Windows 10

While Onedrive can be a convenient cloud storage solution, there are several advantages to deleting it from your Windows 10 device:

• Free up storage space: Onedrive may take up a significant amount of storage on your device, especially if you have a large number of files or folders synced.
• Reduced resource usage: Disabling or uninstalling Onedrive can help improve system performance by freeing up system resources.
• Focus on alternative solutions: Deleting Onedrive allows you to explore other cloud storage options that may better suit your needs.
• Enhanced privacy and security: Removing Onedrive from your device can eliminate any potential privacy concerns or security risks associated with cloud storage.

Consider these advantages when deciding whether to delete Onedrive from your Windows 10 system.

In Summary

Deleting Onedrive from Windows 10 can be done through different methods, such as unlinking the account, disabling it at startup, or uninstalling it entirely. Each method offers varying levels of removal, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your needs. If you change your mind, you can always reinstall Onedrive or explore alternative cloud storage solutions. Consider the advantages of deleting Onedrive, such as freeing up storage space, reducing resource usage, focusing on alternative solutions, and enhancing privacy and security. Ultimately, the decision to delete Onedrive from your Windows 10 system depends on your preferences and requirements.

Deleting Onedrive in Windows 10

To delete Onedrive in Windows 10, follow these steps:

• Open the Onedrive settings by right-clicking the Onedrive icon in the system tray and selecting "Settings."
• In the Settings tab, click on the "Unlink OneDrive" button.
• A warning message will appear informing you that you will lose access to your files unless they are saved in a different location. Review the message and click on "Unlink account" to proceed.
• After unlinking your account, open the Windows File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:\Users\[Your Username].
• Delete the "OneDrive" folder.
• To completely remove Onedrive, open the Run dialog by pressing the Windows key + R, type "regedit," and hit enter.
• In the Registry Editor, navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}" and delete the "ShellFolder" folder.
• Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Following these steps will help you delete Onedrive from your Windows 10 system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about deleting OneDrive on Windows 10:

1. Can I delete OneDrive from Windows 10?

Yes, you can delete OneDrive from Windows 10. However, keep in mind that OneDrive is an essential component of the Windows operating system and is tightly integrated with other Microsoft services. If you choose to delete it, you won't be able to access your OneDrive files and sync them across devices. Proceed with caution and make sure you have an alternative cloud storage solution in place.

If you still want to delete OneDrive, follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign out of OneDrive

Before you can delete OneDrive from your computer, make sure you're signed out of the app. To do this, right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (located in the bottom right corner of your screen) and select "Settings." In the Settings tab, click on the "Account" tab and then click on the "Unlink this PC" button. Follow the prompts to sign out of OneDrive.

Step 2: Uninstall OneDrive

To uninstall OneDrive from Windows 10, follow these steps:

- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type "appwiz.cpl" and press Enter.

- In the Programs and Features window, scroll down and find "Microsoft OneDrive" in the list of installed programs.

- Right-click on "Microsoft OneDrive" and select "Uninstall."

- Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

2. How do I disable OneDrive on Windows 10?

If you don't want to completely remove OneDrive from Windows 10 but just want to disable it, follow these steps:

- Right-click on the white OneDrive icon in the system tray.

- Select "Settings" and go to the "Settings" tab.

- Under the "Files On-Demand" section, uncheck the box that says "Save space and download files as you use them."

This will disable the Files On-Demand feature of OneDrive, which can help save storage space on your computer.

3. Can I reinstall OneDrive after deleting it?

Yes, you can reinstall OneDrive after deleting it. To reinstall OneDrive on Windows 10, follow these steps:

- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter.

- In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "OneDrive."

- Double-click on "Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage" policy.

- Set the policy to "Not Configured."

- Close the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer.

- After the restart, you should be able to reinstall OneDrive from the Microsoft website or the Microsoft Store.

4. Are my OneDrive files permanently deleted if I uninstall it?

No, if you uninstall OneDrive from your computer, your OneDrive files will not be permanently deleted. They will still be available on the OneDrive cloud storage. If you reinstall OneDrive or access your OneDrive account from another device, you will be able to sync and access your files again.

However, it's important to note that if you delete files from your OneDrive folder on your computer before uninstalling OneDrive, those files will be deleted permanently. Make sure to back up any important files before uninstalling OneDrive.

5. What are the benefits of using OneDrive on Windows 10?

OneDrive offers several benefits for Windows 10 users:

- Easy file storage and organization: OneDrive provides a convenient way to store and

Deleting OneDrive from Windows 10 is a straightforward process that can help you free up storage space and remove any unwanted files or folders. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily disable or uninstall OneDrive, depending on your preferences and needs.

To delete OneDrive, first, make sure you have another cloud storage service or a backup solution in place to avoid losing any important data. Then, use the settings or the Control Panel to disable or uninstall OneDrive, depending on your version of Windows 10. Remember to remove any associated files or folders from your device to completely erase OneDrive from your system.