What deleting OneDrive actually means

Deleting OneDrive is not one action — it depends on what you want gone. You can remove the OneDrive app from your computer while keeping your files in the cloud, unlink your account so the app stops syncing, or delete the actual files stored in OneDrive. Most people want the first one: remove the app and stop it from running, but keep their files safe online in case they need them later.

Before you start, understand that uninstalling the app does not delete your files. They stay in your OneDrive account online. If you sign back in from any device, you will see them again. The files on your computer will stay where they are — OneDrive just stops watching them and syncing them to the cloud.

Key Takeaways

  • Uninstalling the OneDrive app from your computer does not delete your files — they remain in your online account.
  • On Windows, you uninstall OneDrive through Settings or Control Panel, the same way you remove any other program.
  • On Mac, you drag the OneDrive app to the Trash and empty it, then sign out of your account in System Settings.
  • If you want to delete the actual files stored in OneDrive, you must do that separately through the OneDrive website or app before uninstalling.
  • After uninstalling, the OneDrive folder on your computer remains — you can delete it manually if you no longer need those files.

How to uninstall OneDrive on Windows

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, the fastest way is through Settings. Click the Start button, type "Add or remove programs" into the search box, and press Enter. Scroll down until you see "Microsoft OneDrive" in the list. Click it once to select it, then click the "Uninstall" button that appears. Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Uninstall" again.

The uninstall process takes a minute or two. When it finishes, OneDrive is gone from your computer and will no longer start automatically when you turn it on. If you see a message asking whether to keep your files, click "Yes" — this keeps the OneDrive folder and everything in it on your hard drive so you do not lose anything.

If you cannot find OneDrive in the Add or remove programs list, it may be built into your Windows version and cannot be uninstalled the normal way. In that case, you can disable it so it does not run. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar (the cloud icon at the bottom right of your screen), click "Quit OneDrive," and it will close. It will not restart until you open it again manually.

How to uninstall OneDrive on Mac

On a Mac, open Finder and click "Applications" in the sidebar. Scroll down until you see "OneDrive" in the list. Right-click it and select "Move to Trash." Then empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in your dock and selecting "Empty Trash." This removes the app from your computer.

After moving OneDrive to the Trash, you should also sign out of your account in System Settings so your Mac does not try to sync with OneDrive anymore. Click the Apple menu at the top left, select "System Settings," then click "General" in the sidebar. Click "Login Items," find OneDrive if it appears there, and click the minus button to remove it. This prevents OneDrive from trying to start when you restart your Mac.

What to do with the OneDrive folder on your computer

After you uninstall the app, the OneDrive folder itself stays on your computer. On Windows, it is usually in your user folder (C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive). On Mac, it is usually in your home folder. This folder contains copies of the files you synced — they are yours to keep or delete.

If you want to keep those files, you can leave the folder where it is or move it somewhere else on your computer. If you do not need them anymore, you can delete the folder by right-clicking it and selecting "Delete" on Windows, or dragging it to the Trash on Mac. Deleting this folder does not affect the files still stored in your OneDrive account online — those remain safe unless you delete them separately through the OneDrive website.

How to delete files from OneDrive before uninstalling

If you want to remove files from your OneDrive account itself (not just from your computer), you must do that through the OneDrive website or app before uninstalling. Go to onedrive.live.com in your web browser, sign in with your Microsoft account, and you will see all your files. Right-click any file or folder you want to remove and select "Delete." The file moves to the OneDrive recycle bin.

Files in the OneDrive recycle bin stay there for 93 days before they are permanently deleted. If you change your mind, you can restore them from the recycle bin during that time. To empty the recycle bin and permanently delete everything, click "Recycle bin" in the left sidebar, then click "Empty recycle bin" at the top.

Signing out without uninstalling

If you do not want to uninstall OneDrive but want to stop it from syncing your files, you can sign out of your account instead. On Windows, right-click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar, click "Settings," then click the "Account" tab. Click "Unlink this PC" and confirm. On Mac, click the OneDrive icon in the menu bar at the top, click "Settings," then click the "Account" tab and select "Unlink this Mac."

When you unlink your account, OneDrive stops syncing but the app remains on your computer. You can sign back in anytime by opening OneDrive and entering your Microsoft account details. This is useful if you want to pause syncing temporarily or if you share your computer with someone else who has their own OneDrive account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting OneDrive erase my files?

Uninstalling the app does not erase your files. Files on your computer stay where they are, and files in your OneDrive account online stay in the cloud. You only lose files if you manually delete them from the OneDrive folder on your computer or from the OneDrive website.

Can I reinstall OneDrive after I uninstall it?

Yes. You can download OneDrive again from the Microsoft Store on Windows or the App Store on Mac, sign in with your account, and all your online files will be available to sync again. Reinstalling does not affect the files you left in your OneDrive account.

What happens to files I was syncing if I uninstall OneDrive?

The copies on your computer stay where they are. OneDrive simply stops watching them and updating them. If you make changes to files on another device, those changes will not sync to this computer anymore because OneDrive is not running.

How do I stop OneDrive from starting when I turn on my computer?

On Windows, right-click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar and click "Settings," then the "Start" tab. Uncheck "Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows." On Mac, go to System Settings, click "General," then "Login Items," and remove OneDrive from the list.

Can I delete OneDrive if I use Microsoft 365?

Yes. OneDrive and Microsoft 365 are separate. Uninstalling OneDrive does not affect Microsoft 365 or your Office apps. However, if you use OneDrive to store documents you open in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, you will need to save those files somewhere else first.