How to Turn Off OneDrive Without Losing Your Files

OneDrive switches itself on for a lot of people, and then it starts filling the screen with sync messages, storage warnings and folders that seem to have moved. The good news is you're in control. You can pause it, stop it syncing, hide it or remove it, and none of those options deletes your files if you do them in the right order. Here's which one to pick and how.

Pick the right kind of off

What you want	Best option
A short break from syncing	Pause syncing for 2, 8 or 24 hours
To stop syncing this computer	Unlink this PC
OneDrive out of sight completely	Unlink, then hide the folder
The app gone for good	Uninstall it (where Windows allows)

Option 1: Pause OneDrive for a while

1. Right-click (or Ctrl-click on a Mac) the OneDrive cloud icon on the taskbar or menu bar.
2. Choose Pause syncing.
3. Pick 2, 8 or 24 hours, or choose Quit OneDrive.

Microsoft says the sync resumes automatically, so this is ideal if OneDrive is hogging your internet during a video call or while you're uploading something else.

Option 2: Unlink OneDrive (the one most people want)

Microsoft's own advice is that if you just don't want to use OneDrive, the easiest solution is to unlink it. Unlinking stops this computer syncing, and you won't lose files or data, because everything stays available at OneDrive.com.

On Windows 10 or 11

1. Select the OneDrive cloud in your notification area, near the clock.
2. Select the Help and Settings icon, then Settings.
3. Go to the Account tab.
4. Select Unlink this PC, then Unlink account.

On a Mac

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the menu bar.
2. Click Help & Settings, then Preferences.
3. Go to the Account tab and select Unlink this Mac.

Option 3: Hide OneDrive on Windows

Here's something that surprises people: Microsoft says OneDrive is built in to some versions of Windows and can't be uninstalled. What you can do is hide it and stop it syncing so it stays out of your way.

1. Unlink OneDrive using the steps above.
2. Open File Explorer, right-click OneDrive and choose Properties.
3. On the General tab, next to Attributes, tick Hidden.
4. Open the OneDrive menu one last time and choose Quit OneDrive to remove the icon from the notification area.

Before you switch it off: check your folder backup

If OneDrive has been backing up your Desktop or Documents, look before you leap. When you stop backing up a folder, Microsoft asks whether to keep the files only in OneDrive or only on your PC. If you want your files on your computer, choose the PC option, otherwise your desktop can look empty afterwards. They're not gone, they're online, but it's a horrible moment if you're not expecting it.

Also, don't delete files from the OneDrive folder to save space before unlinking. Microsoft explains that files deleted from your computer's OneDrive go to the Recycle Bin, and the deletion syncs online too. Unlink first, then tidy up.

Option 4: Uninstall the app

Where Windows allows it, you can remove OneDrive from Settings by searching for Add or remove programs, finding Microsoft OneDrive and selecting Uninstall. On a Mac you drag the app to the Trash. I've written a full guide to uninstalling OneDrive on every device, including phones, if you want to go that far.

Turning it back on later

Changed your mind? Open OneDrive from the Start menu and sign in again. It will ask which folder to use, and you can choose which folders sync to your computer so it doesn't download everything at once. If you work across several cloud services, this piece on why manual file sharing gets risky is worth reading before you decide which one to keep.

Stopping OneDrive on your phone

The mobile apps work differently from your computer. There's no sync folder on a phone in the same way, so the simplest way to stop OneDrive on Android or iPhone is to sign out of the app or remove it. If the app is backing up your camera roll, switch that off in the app's settings first so it stops uploading new photos. Your existing photos stay in OneDrive either way.

Why OneDrive keeps coming back

If OneDrive starts up again every time you restart, it's because it's set to launch with Windows. Unlinking the PC stops it syncing your files, and quitting it removes the icon, but a Windows update can bring the sign-in prompt back. That's normal and harmless. Just close the prompt and carry on. If you'd rather it never asked, hide the folder as described above and keep it unlinked. It's also worth a look at what cloud hosting does for a small business if you're weighing up where your files should live.

My verdict

Pause it for a quick break, unlink it if you don't want it syncing, and hide it if you never want to see it again. Check your Desktop and Documents backup settings first so nothing seems to disappear. Your files stay safe at OneDrive.com whichever option you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Will turning off OneDrive delete my files?

No. Microsoft says you won't lose files or data by unlinking OneDrive. You can still reach them at OneDrive.com.

How do I stop OneDrive syncing temporarily?

Right-click the OneDrive icon, choose Pause syncing and pick 2, 8 or 24 hours. It resumes automatically.

Can I uninstall OneDrive from Windows?

On some versions of Windows it's built in and can't be uninstalled, but you can unlink it and hide the folder.

Why did my desktop files disappear after turning off OneDrive?

If OneDrive was backing up your Desktop, the files may be kept only in OneDrive. Sign in at OneDrive.com to find them.

How do I turn OneDrive off on a Mac?

Click the OneDrive icon in the menu bar, go to Help & Settings, Preferences, Account, and select Unlink this Mac.