OneDrive is a cloud storage service that comes pre-installed with Windows 11. It allows you to sync your files and access them from any device, as well as collaborate with others online. However, not everyone may want to use OneDrive, especially if they have other cloud storage options or prefer to keep their data offline. If you are one of those users who wants to turn off OneDrive in Windows 11, here are some methods you can try.
Unlink Your OneDrive Account
The easiest way to turn off OneDrive in Windows 11 is to unlink your OneDrive account from your PC. This will stop the syncing process and remove your OneDrive files from your computer. However, you can still access your files by signing in to OneDrive.com or using another device. To unlink your OneDrive account, follow these steps:
- Click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, then click the Settings icon and select Settings.
- Go to the Account tab and click Unlink this PC.
- Confirm your choice by clicking Unlink account.
Uninstall OneDrive
If you want to completely remove OneDrive from your PC, you can uninstall it from the Settings app. This will delete the OneDrive app and its associated files from your system. However, you can still access your files by signing in to OneDrive.com or using another device. To uninstall OneDrive, follow these steps:
- Click the Start button and select Settings.
- Choose Apps from the left pane and click on Apps & features from the right.
- Wait until the list of apps is populated, then look for Microsoft OneDrive, click the three dots button from its right, and select Uninstall.
- Click Uninstall again to confirm your choice.
- When prompted, click Yes to allow OneDrive to make changes to your PC.
- Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Disable OneDrive Using the Group Policy Editor
Another way to turn off OneDrive in Windows 11 is to disable it using the Group Policy Editor. This is a more advanced method that requires administrative privileges and some technical knowledge. This will prevent OneDrive from running or syncing on your PC, but it will not remove the app or its files from your system. To disable OneDrive using the Group Policy Editor, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to launch a Run console, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter or click OK.
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive.
- Double-click the policy named Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.
- Select Enabled and click OK.
Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.