How to Sign Out, Pause, or Uninstall OneDrive on Windows
OneDrive is a great alternative to cloud services likeGoogle Drive, Dropbox,etc. However, the same can be a nuisance if it’s forced onto you and that’s what many Windows users feel about it. Thankfully, it is easy to turn off OneDrive on your Windows PC. you may do it by signing out, pausing, hiding, or uninstalling OneDrive from your PC.
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How to Sign Out of OneDrive Account
If you don’t want to sync your files to OneDrive or files from OneDrive to your PC, you’re able to unlink or sign out of your OneDrive account on your computer. Doing so will not delete any of your personal data. If you want to access any of your synced data, you can do it from theweb version of OneDrive.
Please keep in mind that signing out of OneDrive will only unlink OneDrive from your PC. You will remain logged into other Microsoft services like Microsoft Store, Office apps, your PC, etc. Also, signing out will not uninstall OneDrive from your computer. You can log in again anytime and start syncing your files.
Follow these steps to log out of your OneDrive account on a Windows PC:
1.Click on theOneDrive iconin your PC’s taskbar. If you don’t see the OneDrive icon, click on the small up arrow followed by the OneDrive icon.
Note:If the OneDrive icon doesn’t appear in both places, then right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Alternatively, go to Windows Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. In Taskbar Settings, expand Other system tray icons and enable Microsoft OneDrive. Check out other ways tofix Taskbar icons missingon Windows PC.
2.Click on theSettings gearicon and selectSettingsfrom the menu.
3. The OneDrive settings window will show up. Click onAccount.
4.Click onUnlink this PCunder your name. A confirmation pop-up will show up. Select Unlink account.
How to Pause OneDrive on Windows
In case you want to temporarily turn off OneDrive, you may do it by pausing the syncing. This comes in handy if you are on a metered connection or if you want to troubleshoot something.
Follow these steps to pause OneDrive syncing on Windows PC:
1.Click on theOneDriveicon in the taskbar.
- Click on theSettings gearicon. Here you will see the option toPause syncing. Click on it and select the time period for which you want to pause syncing. You can choose from 2, 8, or 24 hours.
Syncing will be resumed after the pause time has finished. But if you want to resume syncing before the set time period, click on the OneDrive icon followed by Your files are not currently syncing.
Note: OneDrive will automatically pause syncing when your Windows PC is in battery saver mode.
How to Uninstall OneDrive from Windows Computer
Finally, if you want to completely get rid of OneDrive from your Windows PC, you must uninstall it. Once uninstalled, you will have to reinstall it in order to use it. Files already synced to OneDrive will not be deleted from it. You can access those by signing intoOneDrive in a browser.
Use these steps to uninstall OneDrive from your PC:
1. OpenSettingson your Windows PC.
2.Go toAppsfollowed byInstalled Apps.
3.Click on thethree-dot iconnext to Microsoft OneDrive and selectUninstallfrom the menu.
Tip:Check out thebest Windows apps to boost productivity.
How to Hide OneDrive from File Explorer
To hide the OneDrive folder from File Explorer, follow these steps:
1.Open File Explorer on your PC.
2.Right-click on the OneDrive or [your name-personal] folder and selectPropertiesfrom the menu.
3.Go to theGeneraltab and check the box next toHidden. Click onApplyto save the changes.
Tip:Learn how todisable the quick access menuon Windows PC.
How to Disable OneDrive from Running at Startup
Another way to turn off OneDrive is to prevent it fromrunning at startup. This will also help save resources at startup and speed up the login process. Please keep in mind that you will have to manually launch OneDrive in order to use it.
Here are the steps to disable OneDrive at startup:
1.OpenSettingson your PC. You can use the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to launch settings.
Click onAppsfrom the left sidebar followed byStartupon the right side.
Scroll down and turn off the toggle next toMicrosoft OneDrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to sign out of OneDrive from other devices?
You cannot directly sign out of OneDrive from other devices. you’re able to, however, remove the devices where you are logged in to your Microsoft account. For that, go toaccount.microsoft.comand select the device. Click on Remove device.
- How to save Microsoft Office Files to PC instead of OneDrive?
In the Office file, click on File followed by Save as. Choose This PC and choose the desired folder on your PC.
- How to stop PC folders from syncing to OneDrive?
Go to OneDrive Settings and click on Manage Backup. Turn off the folders that you don’t want to sync to OneDrive.
Microsoft vs Google
That’s how you can turn off OneDrive on a Windows PC. But if you decide to keep it, learn how totransfer Google Drive data to OneDrive. Also, know what’s thedifference between OneDrive and Google Photos.
Mehvish Mushtaqis a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she’s always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She’s been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps. you’re able to also find her work onMake Tech Easier,Guiding Tech, andNerds Chalk
