[SOLVED] How to remove OneDrive ?

[Ferdly1]

How do I remove OneDrive from pc. After uninstallation I deleted OneDrive in user folder. After reboot it comes back with doc and pictures folder embedded. I even ran Revuninstall which cleared registry still comes back. Is there any way to remove this without reformatting and reinstallg Windows 11?

 

[Lutfij]

I opened up OneDrive, removed the option for it to invoke during startup, then from startup, Right click taskbar>Task manager>Startup Apps, removed the app from there. Then uninstalled the app from Control Panel>Uninstall a program.

I wouldn't tamper with the registry entries as it's been seen often times how the OS goes belly up.

My 2 cents.

 

[Ferdly1]

Thanks for your reply. I guess i will have to reinstall so i can uninstall again. It is uninstalled however there are still remnants behind attached to doc and pictures folder. Also conflicts with trading software. I cant have that. Windows really wants you to use it. Also i have used rev installer- i trust them never had a problem with them
I dont trust myself to mess with registers for sure.
Right now i am configuring harddrive for new pc so i can play around with it. Everything works fine just this one drive driving me nuts.
Thanks again for your suggestion.

 

[garioch7]

@Ferdly1 ,

I too found OneDrive to be my nemesis! 😡 The issue is that you have to be very careful when removing it, or you could lose the files that OneDrive controls. It is a multi-stage process that takes about an hour or so, all things going well, to remove it completely, and to ensure that you don't lose any files it controlled.

OneDrive will keep your files on itself, incorporate itself into your folder structure, but unless you insist on having local copies, OneDrive, to save you disk space, will only keep links on your computer to your files stored on OneDrive, NOT on your computer. That is where the danger lies. Kill OneDrive recklessly before recovering files from OneDrive, and you lose your files.

You need to instruct OneDrive that you want local copies in your own folders, not just in the OneDrive folder on your computer. Once you have achieved that, and have confirmed that you do indeed have local copies of your files, now in your folders, as well as the OneDrive folder(s), you can disable syncing. Once that is done, you can ultimately, but carefully, exterminate OneDrive.

I got my assistance from another Forum, but the Forum Rules here prevent me from sharing a link to another Forum, but you would PM me, and I would send you the link via PM, to the post with explicit instructions that I used to safely recover my files, and to banish OneDrive permanently from both of my computers several months ago. I don't want to plagiarize those instructions, and I don't recall all of the details now, being almost 73 years old! 🙄

I have a Proton Mail Ultimate account. Their Proton Drive does what I want it to: saves copies of my changing files of the folders I stipulate, but leaves my local files and file structure intact.

Above all, proceed with caution. OneDrive has deep roots.

I hope this helps. Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

 

[Ferdly1]

@Ferdly1 ,

I too found OneDrive to be my nemesis! 😡 The issue is that you have to be very careful when removing it, or you could lose the files that OneDrive controls. It is a multi-stage process that takes about an hour or so, all things going well, to remove it completely, and to ensure that you don't lose any files it controlled.

OneDrive will keep your files on itself, incorporate itself into your folder structure, but unless you insist on having local copies, OneDrive, to save you disk space, will only keep links on your computer to your files stored on OneDrive, NOT on your computer. That is where the danger lies. Kill OneDrive recklessly before recovering files from OneDrive, and you lose your files.

You need to instruct OneDrive that you want local copies in your own folders, not just in the OneDrive folder on your computer. Once you have achieved that, and have confirmed that you do indeed have local copies of your files, now in your folders, as well as the OneDrive folder(s), you can disable syncing. Once that is done, you can ultimately, but carefully, exterminate OneDrive.

I got my assistance from another Forum, but the Forum Rules here prevent me from sharing a link to another Forum, but you would PM me, and I would send you the link via PM, to the post with explicit instructions that I used to safely recover my files, and to banish OneDrive permanently from both of my computers several months ago. I don't want to plagiarize those instructions, and I don't recall all of the details now, being almost 73 years old! 🙄

I have a Proton Mail Ultimate account. Their Proton Drive does what I want it to: saves copies of my changing files of the folders I stipulate, but leaves my local files and file structure intact.

Above all, proceed with caution. OneDrive has deep roots.

I hope this helps. Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

Not sure how to do a pm. Already have a mess thinking of reinstalling this time avoiding one drive if its still possible. They
are supposed to close the option next upgrade and force us to use one drive and microsoft account. I am 71 and it doesnt get easier.

 

[Ferdly1]

i finally got one drive uninstalled talk about programs acting weird.

 

[COLGeek]

Just a couple things to consider.

You don't have to use One Drive. Nothing forces its use. Just ignore it.

You don't have to log in to Windows via a Microsoft account. Use a local account for your day to day use instead.

There really is no compelling need to muck around with registry hacks and tweaks.

 

[Ferdly1]

I am just tryna set up new pc with windows 11. Old pc still works but its not windows 11 compliant. So I will probably try to reinstall eleven and completely ignore Microsoft and one drive if Microsoft will still let me. I have some apps that wont play nice with One drive

 

[USAFRet]

I have some apps that wont play nice with One drive

What applications might those be?

I've not seen anything where that happens.

 

[JeffreyP55]

I found disabling one drive stopped saving work to the desktop and gives you an icon to access the desktop instead. I have the app running with just the one drive desktop slider enabled. Nothing else is saved and MS can just stop trying to pimp cloud storage. I don't need it. Local storage works for me.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

All I did was disable it. That was sufficient for me. I didn't uninstall it as I might decide to use it at some future date.

 

[Ferdly1]

All I did was disable it. That was sufficient for me. I didn't uninstall it as I might decide to use it at some future date.

Just a couple things to consider.

You don't have to use One Drive. Nothing forces its use. Just ignore it.

You don't have to log in to Windows via a Microsoft account. Use a local account for your day to day use instead.

There really is no compelling need to muck around with registry hacks and tweaks.

i trade online. everything was going good. Until i loaded a software ninja trader. Right away it came up with a conflict. Also noticed some files that didnt work correctly like windows fax and scan. Plus there were a lot of apps that had loaded i wasnt aware of brought over in the cloud due to the syncing of files. So when i tried to disble or uninstall one drive these other programs didnt work. Needless to say. All from a progam I never used before nor did I want.

At this point now liooks like only recoarse is reinstall without internet i hope. I dont want
OneDrive - i have never used OneDrive or microsoft account. I prefer to keep everything local. I appreciate the help guys. But looks like i really mucked things up. I am 71 my memory not that good anymore . i cant tell you all I have done. Just be easier to refresh drive and start new while pc still under warranty.

I was able to get my product code and Bitlocker recovery keys that's another thing I never heard of. I have heard stories of microsoft not allowing people to do rebuilds even with product key. Bought this mini pc at Amazon. Literally no paperwork. My old pc still works fine just tryna make the switch because of Windows 10 being phased out.

Thanks for the help guys. I am gonna image this drive first and keep a copy just in case. Just before i do reinstall.

 

[Ferdly1]

Its important this works correctly and i dont want my information shared with anyone (cloud) since i trade on this computer. It contains financial data i dont wish to share. Thanks guys appreciate the advice!

@Ferdly1 ,

I too found OneDrive to be my nemesis! 😡 The issue is that you have to be very careful when removing it, or you could lose the files that OneDrive controls. It is a multi-stage process that takes about an hour or so, all things going well, to remove it completely, and to ensure that you don't lose any files it controlled.

OneDrive will keep your files on itself, incorporate itself into your folder structure, but unless you insist on having local copies, OneDrive, to save you disk space, will only keep links on your computer to your files stored on OneDrive, NOT on your computer. That is where the danger lies. Kill OneDrive recklessly before recovering files from OneDrive, and you lose your files.

You need to instruct OneDrive that you want local copies in your own folders, not just in the OneDrive folder on your computer. Once you have achieved that, and have confirmed that you do indeed have local copies of your files, now in your folders, as well as the OneDrive folder(s), you can disable syncing. Once that is done, you can ultimately, but carefully, exterminate OneDrive.

I got my assistance from another Forum, but the Forum Rules here prevent me from sharing a link to another Forum, but you would PM me, and I would send you the link via PM, to the post with explicit instructions that I used to safely recover my files, and to banish OneDrive permanently from both of my computers several months ago. I don't want to plagiarize those instructions, and I don't recall all of the details now, being almost 73 years old! 🙄

I have a Proton Mail Ultimate account. Their Proton Drive does what I want it to: saves copies of my changing files of the folders I stipulate, but leaves my local files and file structure intact.

Above all, proceed with caution. OneDrive has deep roots.

I hope this helps. Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

I went down the rabbit hole. Cant find my way back thanks to my memory. Only choice is reinstall. Still would like that link

 

[garioch7]

@Ferdly1 ,

I got your PM, and I have responded with two links that might help you.

I am 72, almost 73 (September), but being older also gives one the advantage of long years of experience. Don't sell yourself short!

I have Windows 11 Pro, 24H2, latest build, on two computers. I have uninstalled OneDrive from both. There are no complaints from Windows. SFC and DISM scans come back clean. I got rid of OneDrive months ago. I have no experienced any issues with either of my computers, due to the removal of OneDrive.

Good luck. I hope that you are able to successfully nuke OneDrive safely.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

 

[Ferdly1]

I was just about to wipe my new drive when i came upon a video in you tube. Not sure i can post it here.
Basically i created a local user and bypassed the one drive and microsoft setup with a few command directory commands. It was fast safe and effective and it worked. Everything is now working even Ninja trader since i no longer have one drive. This creates a local account with just the files installed from factory. Best part i can delete the user i previously setup. If yall want the url if it is allowed let me know. I want to thank everyone for their reply!! This save me a lot of time.