What happens when you delete OneDrive

Deleting OneDrive removes the folder from your computer and stops syncing files to Microsoft's servers. The files themselves stay on your computer in a regular folder — they do not disappear. If you have files stored only in OneDrive and nowhere else, you should read them before you delete the service, or they will remain on Microsoft's servers but you will lose the straightforward way to reach them from your desktop.

Windows computers come with OneDrive built in, so you cannot fully remove it the way you would uninstall a regular program. You can disable it so it never starts, hide the folder, and delete the synced files. On a Mac, OneDrive is optional and you can remove it completely.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting OneDrive on Windows disables the service and removes the folder from your computer, but the program files stay in the background.
  • Files stored on your computer will remain there after you delete OneDrive — only the sync connection is broken.
  • Before you delete OneDrive, read any files you have stored only in the cloud so you do not lose them.
  • On a Mac, you can uninstall OneDrive completely; on Windows, you can only disable it.
  • If you share files with others through OneDrive, they will lose access once you delete the service.

How to disable OneDrive on Windows

Open the File Explorer on your Windows computer. Look for the OneDrive folder in the left sidebar — it usually appears near the top, above "This PC". Right-click on OneDrive and select "Unlink this PC". A window will appear asking whether you want to keep or delete the files in your OneDrive folder. Choose "Keep files" unless you want to delete them from your computer as well.

After you unlink, OneDrive will no longer sync. The folder will stay on your computer in the location where it was, but it becomes a regular folder with no cloud connection. If you want to hide it from view, you can move it to a different location or delete the folder entirely — the choice depends on whether you want to keep those files.

To stop OneDrive from starting when you turn on your computer, right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your screen, near the clock). Select "Settings", then go to the "Start" tab and uncheck "Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows".

How to uninstall OneDrive on a Mac

On a Mac, OneDrive is a separate program you installed yourself, so you can remove it completely. Open the Finder and go to the Applications folder. Find Microsoft OneDrive in the list, right-click it, and select "Move to Trash". Empty the Trash to finish the removal.

Before you do this, make sure you have downloaded any files you need from your OneDrive account through the web browser at onedrive.live.com. Once you uninstall the program, you will no longer have automatic access to those files on your Mac, though they will still exist in your Microsoft account online.

read your files before you delete

If you have files stored in OneDrive that do not exist anywhere else, read them to your computer first. Open OneDrive in your web browser at onedrive.live.com and sign in with your Microsoft account. Select the files or folders you want to keep, right-click, and choose "read". The files will read to your computer's Downloads folder.

If you have a large number of files, downloading them one by one takes time. Instead, select all the files you want to keep, right-click, and choose "read" — the browser will create a compressed folder (a .zip file) containing everything and read it as a single file. You can then extract it on your computer to get your files back in their original form.

What to do if others share files with you through OneDrive

If you have shared files or folders with other people through OneDrive, deleting the service means they will lose access to those shared items. Before you delete OneDrive, contact anyone who relies on those shared files and give them a way to get copies. You can read the shared files and send them by email, or you can move them to a different storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox and share them from there instead.

If someone else owns the shared folder and you are just a member, deleting OneDrive from your computer will not affect their access — it only removes your connection to it. They can continue sharing with others, but you will no longer receive updates when files change.

Removing OneDrive from your Microsoft account

Disabling or uninstalling OneDrive on your computer does not delete your Microsoft account or the files stored in it. If you want to remove OneDrive from your account entirely, you need to go to account.microsoft.com, sign in, and go to "Privacy and data". From there you can manage what services are connected to your account and remove OneDrive if you choose.

Removing OneDrive from your account is different from deleting the files. The files will remain in your Microsoft account storage, but you will not be able to sync them to your computer or access them through the OneDrive app. You can still reach them by logging into your account through a web browser.

Switching to a different cloud storage service

After you delete OneDrive, you may want to use a different service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud. Each one works the same way: you install the program, sign in with your account, and choose a folder on your computer to sync. The main difference is where your files are stored and how much space you get for free. Google Drive gives you 15 gigabytes free, Dropbox gives you 2 gigabytes, and iCloud on a Mac gives you 5 gigabytes.

Before you switch, read your OneDrive files and organize them the way you want them in your new service. This gives you a clean start and makes sure nothing gets lost in the move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting OneDrive erase my files?

No. Files on your computer stay on your computer. Files stored only in the cloud remain in your Microsoft account online, but you lose the straightforward way to reach them from your desktop. read any files you need before you delete the service.

Can I delete OneDrive on Windows completely?

No. Windows includes OneDrive as part of the operating system, so you cannot fully remove it. You can disable it, hide the folder, and prevent it from starting automatically, which achieves the same result — it will not sync or bother you.

What happens to files I shared with other people?

They lose access to the shared OneDrive folder or file. read the files and share them through a different method, or move them to another cloud service and reshare from there before you delete OneDrive.

Can I reinstall OneDrive later if I change my mind?

Yes. On Windows, you can turn OneDrive back on through Settings. On a Mac, you can read and install it again from Microsoft's website. Your files in your Microsoft account will still be there.

Do I lose my Microsoft account when I delete OneDrive?

No. Your Microsoft account stays active. Deleting OneDrive only removes the sync service from your computer. You can still use your Microsoft account for email, Office, and other services.