How do I remove OneDrive from my file explorer? This is a common question among Windows users who are looking to streamline their file management experience. Whether you find OneDrive intrusive or simply want to manage your files without the cloud service, removing it from your file explorer can be a straightforward process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to successfully remove OneDrive from your file explorer on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft, which is integrated into the Windows operating system. While it offers many benefits, such as easy file sharing and automatic backup, some users prefer to keep their files local and without the additional cloud storage service. Removing OneDrive from your file explorer can help you achieve this goal.
Here are the steps to remove OneDrive from your file explorer on Windows 10 and Windows 11:
1. Open File Explorer:
– Press `Win + E` to open File Explorer.
2. Access File Explorer Options:
– In the upper-right corner of File Explorer, click on the three dots (More actions) and select “Options.”
3. Navigate to the View Tab:
– In the File Explorer Options window, click on the “View” tab.
4. Uncheck “Use OneDrive to sync files”:
– Look for the option “Use OneDrive to sync files” and uncheck it. This will stop OneDrive from syncing your files with the cloud.
5. Remove OneDrive from File Explorer:
– In the same View tab, scroll down to the “Files and Folders” section.
– Look for the option “Show icons and thumbnails” and uncheck it. This will remove the OneDrive icon from the file explorer.
– Look for the option “Use a single folder to store files” and uncheck it. This will prevent OneDrive from managing your files in a single folder.
6. Restart File Explorer:
– Close File Explorer and restart it to apply the changes.
7. Uninstall OneDrive (Optional):
– If you want to completely remove OneDrive from your system, you can do so by going to the Control Panel, selecting “Programs and Features,” and then choosing “Uninstall a program.” Find OneDrive in the list and follow the prompts to uninstall it.
By following these steps, you should be able to remove OneDrive from your file explorer and manage your files without the cloud storage service. Remember that removing OneDrive will not delete your files from the cloud; they will simply no longer be synced with your local files.
