Remove OneDrive from the left sidebar in File Explorer

The fastest way to stop seeing OneDrive in File Explorer is to unpin it from the left sidebar. Right-click on "OneDrive" in the left panel and select "Unpin from Quick Access." This removes the shortcut without uninstalling the program itself — OneDrive keeps running in the background, but you won't see it every time you open a folder.

If you want OneDrive completely gone from your view and you don't use it at all, you can uninstall it instead. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, search for "Microsoft OneDrive," and click "Uninstall." Windows will ask you to confirm. After uninstalling, restart your computer and OneDrive will no longer appear in File Explorer.

Some people want to keep OneDrive installed but hidden — useful if your workplace requires it but you prefer not to see it. In that case, unpinning from the sidebar is the right choice. The program still syncs files in the background, but File Explorer stays cleaner.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click OneDrive in the File Explorer sidebar and select "Unpin from Quick Access" to hide it without removing the program.
  • Uninstalling OneDrive through Settings > Apps > Apps & features removes it completely, but you will need to restart your computer afterward.
  • Unpinning keeps OneDrive running in the background for syncing; uninstalling stops it entirely.
  • If your workplace manages OneDrive on your computer, uninstalling may not be possible — unpinning is your only option.
  • After removing OneDrive from File Explorer, your local files remain on your computer unchanged.

Disable OneDrive startup so it doesn't run in the background

Even after unpinning OneDrive from File Explorer, it may still launch when you start your computer. To stop this, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, then click the "Startup" tab. Find "OneDrive" in the list, right-click it, and select "Disable." The next time you restart, OneDrive won't start automatically.

Disabling startup is different from uninstalling — the program stays on your computer, but it won't run unless you manually open it. This is useful if you occasionally need OneDrive but don't want it consuming memory or syncing files constantly.

Stop OneDrive from syncing specific folders

If you want to keep OneDrive but prevent it from syncing certain folders, you can choose which folders to sync. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray (bottom right of your screen) and select "Settings." Go to the "Account" tab, then click "Choose folders." Uncheck any folders you don't want synced, and OneDrive will stop backing them up to the cloud.

This approach is helpful if you use OneDrive for some files but want to keep others local-only. You can sync your Documents folder while leaving Desktop and Downloads alone, for example. The folders you uncheck stay on your computer but won't upload to OneDrive.

Remove OneDrive from the system tray

The OneDrive icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen (the system tray) can clutter your taskbar. To hide it, right-click the OneDrive icon and select "Settings." Go to the "Settings" tab and check "Start OneDrive automatically when I sign in to Windows" — this sounds backwards, but unchecking it prevents OneDrive from showing in the tray on startup.

Alternatively, you can hide any icon from the system tray by clicking the up arrow next to the clock, then right-clicking the OneDrive icon and selecting "Hide." This removes it from view but doesn't stop OneDrive from running.

What happens to your files when you remove OneDrive

Removing OneDrive from File Explorer or uninstalling it does not delete your files. Any documents stored in your local OneDrive folder (usually C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive) remain on your computer. If those files were also synced to the cloud, they stay there too — uninstalling OneDrive just stops the sync connection.

If you had files only in OneDrive's cloud storage and never downloaded them to your computer, they remain in your Microsoft account online. You can still access them by logging into OneDrive.com in a web browser. The local uninstall doesn't touch cloud storage.

Reinstall OneDrive if you change your mind

If you uninstall OneDrive and later decide you need it, reinstalling is straightforward. Open the Microsoft Store, search for "OneDrive," and click "Install." After installation completes, sign in with your Microsoft account and OneDrive will resume syncing. Any files you stored in the cloud remain there waiting for you.

You can also reinstall OneDrive by going to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage options > Restore your files, which is useful if you want to recover files that were deleted after you uninstalled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling OneDrive delete my files?

No. Files stored in your local OneDrive folder stay on your computer. Files in the cloud remain in your Microsoft account. Uninstalling only stops the sync — it doesn't erase anything.

Can I uninstall OneDrive if my workplace manages it?

Probably not. If your company controls OneDrive through group policy, the uninstall option may be grayed out. In that case, unpinning it from File Explorer is your best option. Contact your IT department if you need it removed.

Does unpinning OneDrive stop it from syncing?

No. Unpinning only hides it from the sidebar. OneDrive continues syncing in the background. To stop syncing, you must either uninstall it or disable it in Task Manager startup settings.

How do I access my OneDrive files after uninstalling?

Log into OneDrive.com in your web browser with your Microsoft account. All your cloud files are there. You can read individual files or folders to your computer without reinstalling the app.

What's the difference between unpinning and uninstalling?

Unpinning removes the shortcut from File Explorer but leaves OneDrive running. Uninstalling removes the program entirely. Unpinning is reversible and keeps syncing active; uninstalling stops everything.