How to Disable OneDrive in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)
OneDrive, in case you haven’t heard of it, is the cloud storage service from Microsoft that comes integrated with Windows 11. A convenient, quick way to save, share, and back up your files, this intuitive file hosting service comes with 5 GB of free storage that can be added on to, as needed. Designed to make your computing life easier, OneDrive automatically syncs your files between devices, which you can then share with others.
Sounds great, no? So why on earth would you want to turn off OneDrive? Truth be told, there are many reasons users might want to reel in the cloud computing reach of OneDrive, from corporate policies, to saving storage space, and even privacy concerns.
We’ll discuss the pros and cons further on in the article, after we’ve covered the essential features of OneDrive. So, read on to discover all you need to know about OneDrive, the benefits and pitfalls of disabling it, as well as the steps you’ll need to take to pause, disable, or even uninstall OneDrive.
What is OneDrive?
Before we get into the finer points of OneDrive, let’s quickly cover the basics of the cloud. If you’re familiar with cloud computing, feel free to skip this paragraph. If, however, you’ve got your head in the clouds and aren’t sure what we’re going on about, then the cloud is a place to store, share, and back up files, as well as access processing power and applications, too. Cloud technology enables users to access all of these features via the internet, skipping the need to rely on local servers and on-device storage.
OneDrive, as mentioned above, is integrated with Windows 11, and the app is also available for Android, macOS, and iOS. OneDrive makes storing, sharing and accessing your files and folders easier. Users can choose OneDrive as the default location to save their files, work on the same document in multiple locations, and even access files when they’re offline! To make things even more convenient, Microsoft 365 apps are integrated with OneDrive, and storage upgrades to 100 GB, 1 TB, and even 6 TB are available through a Microsoft 365 subscription, or separately.
What are the pros and cons of disabling OneDrive?
Every cloud has a silver lining, does it not? But what if the cloud is storing all of your files and folders, and you decide to delete it? Before you skip ahead and disable OneDrive, let’s take a look at the benefits and potential pitfalls of putting the kibosh on OneDrive.
First the pros:
- Reduce internet usage. If you’ve got a limited or slow connection, then disabling OneDrive will stop the program from consuming bandwidth.
- Enhance privacy. Data breaches are an unfortunate pitfall of cloud computing. By keeping your files out of the cloud and storing them locally, you can avoid accidental cloud uploads and security issues.
- Save local storage. OneDrive automatically downloads and stores cloud files on your device. Disabling the app will give you more local storage to work with.
- Free up your system resources. OneDrive is a master of automatic syncing. This feature may be helpful, but can also take up CPU and RAM usage by constantly running in the background. Disable OneDrive and your PC has more room to function.
And the cons:
- Risk of data loss. OneDrive automatically backs up and saves your files, without this feature, there is an increased risk of losing important documents.
- Limits to collaboration. Without OneDrive, users struggle to access the real-time sharing and editing features of documents in Microsoft 365.
- No cross-device syncing. OneDrive acts as a bridge between your devices, disable it and you won’t be able to access your files across multiple devices.
- Impact on Microsoft Office features. Various Office apps rely on OneDrive for cloud saving and automatic version control. Removing OneDrive can cause a wild amount of issues with Office.
How to disable OneDrive
There are essentially three levels of finality to choose from if you require a rest from OneDrive. Firstly, there’s the option of pausing it, akin to taking some time alone in a relationship. If a pause isn’t sufficient, then closing OneDrive is your next option, followed by the nuclear break up option of uninstalling the program. Whichever of these you choose, follow the instructions below to ensure success.
1. To pause OneDrive
- Right-click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar
- Select Pause syncing
- Choose to pause for 2, 8, or 24 hours
- Confirm that the OneDrive cloud icon displays: Paused Syncing
To resume syncing at any time:
- Right-click the OneDrive icon in the notification area
- Clicking Resume syncing
2. How do I turn off OneDrive?
- Click the OneDrive icon in your notification area
- Select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon
- Select Settings
- Go to the Account tab
- Select Unlink this PC
- Select Unlink account
3. How to delete OneDrive
If you’re certain that your days with OneDrive have come to an end, then uninstalling the app is the final option. Windows 11 users follow the steps below, users of other OS, please check the Microsoft support page for even more detailed step-by-step instructions.
- Click Start
- Type Programs in the search box
- Select Add or remove programs in the list of results
- Choose Apps & features
- Locate and select Microsoft OneDrive
- Select Uninstall
Final thoughts on OneDrive
Like many must-have apps for your PC, there are times when we may rely on the assistance of OneDrive, and there are other times when it slows us down. Whatever your stance on OneDrive, be thankful for the free 5 GB of storage space, and remember that even after you’ve paused, unlinked, or even uninstalled OneDrive, there are always ways to quickly get back in sync with the program.
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Edmund is an English copywriter based in New Taipei City, Taiwan. He is a widely published writer and translator with two decades of experience in the field of bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between Chinese and English.
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