by Launched in August 2007, OneDrive is a file hosting service developed by Microsoft that lets you share your files, folders, and data across multiple devices. It is a dedicated online cloud storage service where you can keep all your personal and business data in one place.
Read: How to Fix OneDrive Thumbnails Not Showing
However, OneDrive comes with a small limitation. The free storage space provided by the service is only 5 GB. And it’s not enough to store all your files and data in one place, is it? You can opt for paid plans to increase storage capacity and make the most of other productive and essential features OneDrive offers.
OneDrive is tightly integrated with Windows 11, making it easy to sync files. But if you’re not a fan of Microsoft’s cloud storage service, you can easily disable OneDrive on Windows 11 for a subscription.
Table of Contents
How to Disable OneDrive on Windows 11
You can use this guide as a reference to completely disable OneDrive on your Windows PC.
Method 1: Stop OneDrive Sync
Well, this is one of the fastest ways to stop OneDrive file syncing.
- Tap the OneDrive icon (cloud-shaped) on the taskbar, and select “Help & Settings”.
- Tap “Stop syncing,” then choose an option between 2 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours to turn off OneDrive file syncing for a specified period.
Method 2: Unlink OneDrive Account
No longer planning to use the OneDrive account on your Windows 11 device? Another easy way to deactivate OneDrive on Windows 11 is by unlinking your device. Here’s what you have to do.
- Tap on the OneDrive icon on the taskbar and tap on Help & Settings.
- In the context menu that appears on the screen, select “Settings”.
- Switch to the “Accounts” tab, then tap the “Unlink this PC” option.
- Press OK to save the recent changes.
Method 3: Uninstall OneDrive App
If you are sure that you are not using OneDrive storage on your Windows 11, you can simply uninstall the OneDrive app from your device. Follow these quick steps to uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11.
- Tap the Windows icon on the taskbar, and select “Settings”.
- Switch to the “Applications” section in the left menu pane. Tap Apps & features.
- Scroll down the list of installed apps to find “Microsoft OneDrive.” Once you find it, right-click on it and tap on the “Uninstall” option.
Method 4: Disable OneDrive on Startup
The OneDrive app loads automatically on startup and sometimes high CPU usage impacts on the performance of your device. To disable OneDrive on startup, follow these steps:
- Open Windows Settings > Apps.
- Tap on “Startup Applications”.
- Select “OneDrive” from the list, then toggle the switch off.
- You can also take a quick tour of other startup apps and manage items accordingly.
Method 5: Disable OneDrive through Local Group Policy Editor
- Another effective way to disable OneDrive on Windows 11 is to use the Local Group Policy Editor.
- Press the Windows + R key combination to launch the Run dialog box. Type “gpedit.msc” in the text box and press Enter.
- In the Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the following folder location:
- Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive.
- Double-tap “Stop using OneDrive for file storage.”
- Check the “Enabled” option. Press the OK and Apply button to save recent changes.
Conclusion
So, friends, here is how you can quit OneDrive services on your Windows PC or laptop. You can use any of the methods listed above to disable OneDrive on Windows 11. Which cloud storage service do you use to store your important files and data? Feel free to give your suggestions in the comment box.
