GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
12 May, 2026
How to Disable OneDrive
There are three options for disabling OneDrive, depending on whether you want it to be temporary or permanent.
- Disable Syncing: (Allows enabling again if desired)
- Open OneDrive Settings: Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar (or menu bar) and then click the gear icon to open settings.
- Go to Sync and Backup: Select “Sync and backup”.
- Manage Backup: Click “Manage backup”.
- Turn off Syncing: Uncheck the boxes next to “Desktop,” “Documents,” and “Pictures”.
- Confirm: Click “Stop backup” to confirm.
- Unlink your account: (Disconnects the current device from OneDrive and can be linked again if desired)
- Open OneDrive: Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar.
- Open Settings: Click the gear icon and select “Settings”.
- Go to Account: Go to the “Account” tab and click “Unlink this PC”.
- Confirm Unlinking: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm unlinking.
- Uninstall OneDrive: (Removes OneDrive from the device. Download what you want to keep first!)
- Open Settings: Go to your computer’s “Settings”.
- Go to Apps: Select “Apps” or “Apps & Features”.
- Find OneDrive: Find “Microsoft OneDrive” in the list and click “Uninstall”.
- Confirm Uninstall: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm uninstalling
