How to remove
Uninstall OneDrive
from Windows

Isn’t OneDrive a default Windows 10 app? I would like to uninstall it, but I wonder if it’s one of the default apps, removal will either be forbidden or may cause some problems. Am I wrong?

OneDrive is a handy Microsoft service used by millions of people worldwide. It allows a computer, laptop, tablet, and smartphone users to store and share data on the Internet. OneDrive can be referred to as a data storage, except that it does not require having an external drive (USB, DVD, CD, etc.) by hand. To use it, a PC or another device with the Internet connection is the only must. All Microsoft Windows users can use OneDrive for free. However, those who run older Windows versions, including 7, 8, 8.1 or XP have to install the app from the Windows Store manually; whereas with the Windows 10, OneDrive comes by default, meaning that its removal was not permitted. Luckily, Creators Update brought many changes, one of which is the permission to Uninstall OneDrive. Windows 10 Home users are now able to uninstall it just like any other application. However, Windows 10 Professional, Education, and Enterprise users will have to use Registry Editor or the Local Group Policy Editor for its removal. Luckily, neither of the methods is difficult, except that you should be careful while executing modifications on Registry Editor and Local Group Policy Editor because any inaccurate move can cause system errors.

Uninstalling OneDrive From Programs and Features in Windows 10 Home

This method is only available for Windows 10 Home Users.

1. Right-click on "Windows key" and select "Control Panel."
2. Select "Programs and Features" and locate "Microsoft OneDrive" on the list.
3. Click it and select "Uninstall."
4. Click "Yes" on the UAC window to confirm the removal.

IMPORTANT: after removing OneDrive via Control Panel, you will still see an empty OneDrive folder in File Explorer. If it doesn’t annoy you, then everything is OK because OneDrive is no longer functioning on your Windows system. If, however, you opt for deleting the service completely and make all its folders disappear, try the following removal methods:

Removing OneDrive from File Explorer in Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise

This method requires editing some Registry keys. Therefore, we would strongly recommend you to backup Windows Registry in the case of a failure.

1. Press "Windows key," type "regedit," and press "Enter."
2. Click "Yes" on the UAC.
3. Using the left pane navigate to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6} key ( 32-bit system).
4. Using the left pane navigate to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6\ key  (64-bit system).
5. Double-click on the System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree and set its value to 0.
6. Press "OK" to save the changes.

Uninstalling OneDrive with the Local Group Policy Editor in Home, Professional, Enterprise, or Education

1. Open "Start," type "gpedit.msc," and press "Enter."
2. Use the left pane to navigate to the "Computer Configuration" -> "Administrative Templates" -> "Windows Components" -> "OneDrive."
3. Double-click on the “Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage” policy setting and set it to “Enabled.”
4. Click “OK” to save the changes.

TIP: In case you would change your mind and decide to start using OneDrive, you should open the Local Group Policy Editor as explained above and set “Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage” policy setting to “Not Configured.”

If you have uninstalled OneDrive from Programs and Features or Windows Registry, you can reinstall it at any time. For that you should navigate to the C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ folder on a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or the C:\Windows\System32 folder on a 32-bit version of Windows 10, double-click on the “OneDriveSetup.exe” file, and wait for OneDrive to reinstall.