The fastest way to disable OneDrive depends on what you want

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service that runs in the background on Windows and Mac computers. If you want to stop it from syncing files, you have three main options: pause syncing temporarily, sign out of your account, or disable it entirely at the system level. Which one you choose depends on whether you might use OneDrive again soon or want it gone completely.

The simplest approach for most people is to pause syncing. This keeps OneDrive installed but stops it from uploading or downloading files for a set time — usually 2 hours, 8 hours, or until you restart your computer. If you want OneDrive completely off your machine, you'll need to uninstall it or disable it in your startup settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Pausing OneDrive from the system tray icon stops syncing for a few hours without uninstalling anything, and is reversible in seconds.
  • Signing out of OneDrive removes your account but leaves the app installed; you can sign back in later without reinstalling.
  • Disabling OneDrive in Windows startup settings prevents it from launching when you turn on your computer, but the app remains on your drive.
  • Uninstalling OneDrive completely removes the app, though on Windows 10 and 11 you may need to use PowerShell because the standard uninstall option is hidden.
  • OneDrive syncing will resume automatically if you restart your computer after pausing, or if you sign back in after signing out.

Pause OneDrive syncing for a few hours

Pausing is the quickest temporary fix. Look for the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray — on Windows it's in the bottom right corner of your taskbar, on Mac it's in the top right corner of your menu bar. Right-click the icon and select "Pause syncing". You'll see options to pause for 2 hours, 8 hours, or until you restart your computer.

When the pause period ends, OneDrive automatically resumes syncing. If you restart your computer before the pause expires, syncing also resumes. This method doesn't change any settings; it just temporarily stops the background process. Use this if you're troubleshooting a problem, need your internet bandwidth for something else, or want OneDrive off for a short time.

Sign out of OneDrive without uninstalling it

Signing out removes your account from OneDrive but leaves the app installed on your computer. Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray and select "Settings". Go to the "Account" tab and click "Unlink this PC". You'll be asked to confirm; click "Unlink account".

After you unlink, OneDrive stops syncing and no longer appears in your file explorer or Finder. The app itself remains on your computer. If you decide to use OneDrive again later, you can sign back in with your Microsoft account without reinstalling anything. This is useful if you're not sure whether you'll need OneDrive in the future, or if you're switching to a different cloud storage service temporarily.

Disable OneDrive from starting automatically on Windows

If you want OneDrive to stay installed but never launch when you start your computer, you can disable it in your startup settings. Press Windows key + R, type "msconfig", and press Enter. Go to the "Startup" tab and look for "OneDrive" in the list. Uncheck the box next to it and click "Apply", then "OK". Restart your computer.

OneDrive will no longer start automatically, but the app remains on your drive. You can still launch it manually from your Start menu if you need it. To re-enable it, return to msconfig, check the OneDrive box, and restart. This approach is useful if you rarely use OneDrive but want the option to access it without reinstalling.

Uninstall OneDrive completely on Windows

On Windows 10 and 11, the standard uninstall option for OneDrive is hidden. The easiest method is to use PowerShell. Press Windows key + X and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Terminal (Admin)". Copy and paste this command: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.OneDrive | Remove-AppxPackage. Press Enter and wait for the process to finish.

OneDrive will be removed from your computer. If you want to reinstall it later, you can download it from Microsoft's website. Some people prefer this method because it completely removes the app and frees up disk space. Note that this removes OneDrive from your user account; if other people use your computer, you may need to repeat the process for each account.

Uninstall OneDrive on Mac

On Mac, OneDrive is easier to remove. First, sign out by clicking the OneDrive icon in your menu bar, selecting "Help & Settings", then "Settings". Go to the "Account" tab and click "Unlink this PC". Then quit OneDrive by clicking the icon and selecting "Quit OneDrive".

Open Finder, go to the Applications folder, find Microsoft OneDrive, and drag it to the Trash. Empty the Trash. OneDrive is now removed from your Mac. If you want to use it again, download it fresh from the Microsoft website or the Mac App Store. Unlike Windows, Mac doesn't hide the uninstall option, so this process is straightforward.

What happens to your files after you disable OneDrive

Disabling OneDrive on your computer does not delete your files from Microsoft's servers. Your files remain in your OneDrive account online and can be accessed from any other device or through the OneDrive website at onedrive.live.com. If you had files synced to your computer's OneDrive folder, they stay on your hard drive even after you uninstall the app — they just stop updating automatically.

If you're concerned about losing access to files, sign into your OneDrive account online before you disable the app. This way you can see what's stored there and download anything you need to keep locally. You can also move synced files to a different folder on your computer before uninstalling, so they're not tied to the OneDrive app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling OneDrive affect my Microsoft 365 subscription?

No. OneDrive is the storage service, but your Microsoft 365 subscription (Office apps, email, etc.) works independently. Disabling OneDrive only stops the file syncing app; it doesn't cancel your subscription or remove your account.

Can I disable OneDrive but keep using OneDrive for Business?

If your workplace uses OneDrive for Business (part of Microsoft 365 for business), disabling the personal OneDrive app may affect that sync too, depending on your setup. Check with your IT department before uninstalling, as they may have configured both to use the same app.

What if OneDrive keeps restarting after I disable it?

Windows updates sometimes re-enable OneDrive. If it restarts after you've disabled it, repeat the startup settings steps or use PowerShell to uninstall again. You can also check Windows Update settings to see if a recent update re-enabled it.

Does pausing OneDrive use less internet bandwidth?

Yes. When OneDrive is paused, it stops uploading and downloading files, so it uses no bandwidth for syncing. However, other apps on your computer may still use your internet connection.

Can I disable OneDrive on just one user account on my computer?

Yes. Each user account on your computer has its own OneDrive settings. You can disable it for one account and leave it running for another. Sign out or uninstall from the account where you don't want it, and it won't affect other users.