How to uninstall OneDrive
On Windows 10 or 11, open Start, search for "Add or remove programs", find Microsoft OneDrive under Apps & features and uninstall it. On a Mac, drag the OneDrive app to the Trash. Microsoft states that you won't lose files or data by uninstalling OneDrive from your computer, and you can still reach your files by signing in at OneDrive.com.
If you only want OneDrive to stop syncing, Microsoft's easiest suggestion is to unlink it instead, and the steps are below. On some versions of Windows, OneDrive is built in and cannot be uninstalled, and the answer there is to hide it.
Which option to choose
| You want to | Choose | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Stop using OneDrive on this computer | Unlink | Disconnects your account from this computer. Your files stay available at OneDrive.com |
| Remove the app | Uninstall | Removes OneDrive from the computer. Your files stay available at OneDrive.com |
| Get OneDrive out of sight when Windows will not uninstall it | Hide | Unlinks the account, hides the OneDrive folder in File Explorer and quits the app |
| Pause for a while, or keep some folders off the computer | Pause or Choose folders | See how to stop, pause or turn off OneDrive sync |
Uninstall OneDrive on Windows 10 and 11
- Open Start, search for Programs, and open Add or remove programs.
- Under Apps & features, find Microsoft OneDrive and select it to uninstall.
- Enter an administrator password or confirm if Windows asks.
If Windows will not let you uninstall it: hide OneDrive
Microsoft states that OneDrive is built in to some versions of Windows and can't be uninstalled, but you can hide it and stop the sync process.
- Unlink OneDrive using the steps in the next section.
- In File Explorer, right-click OneDrive and open Properties. On the General tab, next to Attributes, tick Hidden. This hides OneDrive from File Explorer.
- Select the OneDrive icon, then the Help and Settings gear, and choose Quit OneDrive to remove the icon from the notification area.
Unlink OneDrive
Windows 10 and 11
- Select the OneDrive cloud in the taskbar corner.
- Select the Help and Settings gear, then Settings.
- Go to the Account tab.
- Select Unlink this PC, then confirm with Unlink account.
Mac
- Select the OneDrive cloud in the menu bar, open Help & Settings and choose Preferences.
- Go to the Account tab.
- Select Unlink this Mac.
Uninstall OneDrive on a Mac
Drag the OneDrive app to the Trash.
Remove OneDrive from a phone
- Android: press and hold the OneDrive icon, then choose uninstall.
- iPhone and iPad: press and hold the icon, then tap the X in its upper-left corner.
What happens to your files
- Unlink: Microsoft states you won't lose files or data by unlinking OneDrive from your computer.
- Uninstall: Microsoft states you won't lose files or data by uninstalling OneDrive from your computer.
- Both: you can still reach your files by signing in at OneDrive.com.
If you want fewer files on the computer but still want OneDrive, choose which folders sync or use Files On-Demand to keep files online-only. If a file goes missing along the way, how to recover deleted OneDrive files covers the recycle bin and the 93-day window.
Older versions of Windows
Microsoft's page notes that the OneDrive app that comes with Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 cannot be uninstalled. It also notes that support ended on January 1, 2022 for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, and that support for Windows 10 21H2 and earlier ended on August 15, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How do I uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11?
Open Start, search for Programs, open Add or remove programs, find Microsoft OneDrive under Apps & features and uninstall it. Confirm with an administrator password if asked.
How do I uninstall OneDrive on a Mac?
Drag the OneDrive app to the Trash. To disconnect the account first, open Preferences from the OneDrive menu bar icon, go to the Account tab and select Unlink this Mac.
Can I uninstall OneDrive?
Usually yes. Microsoft notes that OneDrive is built in to some versions of Windows and can't be uninstalled there, and in that case you can unlink and hide it.
Will I lose my files if I uninstall OneDrive?
Microsoft states that you won't lose files or data by uninstalling OneDrive from your computer, and you can still sign in at OneDrive.com to reach them.
How do I hide OneDrive instead?
Unlink OneDrive, then right-click OneDrive in File Explorer, open Properties, tick Hidden on the General tab, and choose Quit OneDrive from the Help and Settings gear.
What is the difference between unlinking and uninstalling?
Unlinking disconnects your account from the computer while the app stays installed. Uninstalling removes the app. Your files stay available at OneDrive.com in both cases.
Why can't I uninstall OneDrive?
OneDrive is built in to some versions of Windows and can't be uninstalled there. Unlink it and hide it instead.
Related reading
- How to stop, pause or turn off OneDrive sync - pause, choose folders, stop a library or unlink a PC.
- OneDrive Files On-Demand - keep files online-only instead of removing OneDrive.
- OneDrive deleted files: how to recover them - the recycle bin and restoring a OneDrive.
- Unlicensed OneDrive accounts - what happens to a OneDrive when its owner loses the license.
- SharePoint vs OneDrive vs Teams - where files live in each.
Mark Smith co-founded SmiKar Software in 2015 and has spent the past decade helping organisations solve Microsoft 365 data management challenges. He works with the SmiKar team to build solutions for SharePoint archiving, storage optimisation, governance and compliance, supporting customers from growing businesses through to Fortune 500 enterprises.
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