Remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you tired of seeing OneDrive as a default option in your Windows 10 Explorer? Do you want to remove it completely? You’re not alone. Many users find OneDrive to be an unnecessary feature of their computer that takes up valuable space and slows down their system.

In this article, we’ll explore what OneDrive is, why you might want to remove it from Windows 10 Explorer, and how to do it quickly and easily.

What is OneDrive?

OneDrive is a cloud-based storage service that allows you to store and share files online. It’s a convenient way to access your files from anywhere, on any device, and share them with others. OneDrive comes pre-installed on Windows 10, and it’s integrated into File Explorer, Microsoft Office, and other Microsoft applications.

While OneDrive can be a useful tool for some users, it’s not for everyone. If you don’t use OneDrive, it can take up valuable space on your hard drive and slow down your system. Additionally, if you prefer to use a different cloud storage service, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, you may find OneDrive to be redundant.

In the next section, we’ll explore why you might want to remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer.

Why remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer?

There are many reasons why you might want to remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer. Here are a few:

1. You don’t use OneDrive

If you don’t use OneDrive, having it as a default option in your Windows 10 Explorer can be annoying. It takes up space and adds clutter to your system. Removing it can help streamline your workflow and make your computer more efficient.

2. You prefer a different cloud storage service

If you prefer a different cloud storage service, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, having OneDrive as a default option can be frustrating. Removing it can help you avoid accidentally saving files to the wrong location and make it easier to access your preferred service.

3. You want to improve system performance

OneDrive can slow down your system, especially if you have a lot of files stored on it. Removing it can help improve your computer’s performance and speed up file transfers.

In the next sections, we’ll explore how to remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer using different methods.

How to remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer?

There are several methods you can use to remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer. Here are three simple methods that you can use:

Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter.

3. Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “OneDrive”.

4. Double-click on “Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage” and select “Enabled”.

5. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

6. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “regedit” and press Enter.

3. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsOneDrive”.

4. If the “OneDrive” key doesn’t exist, right-click on the “Windows” key and select “New” > “Key”. Name the new key “OneDrive”.

5. Right-click on the “OneDrive” key and select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value”. Name the new value “DisableFileSyncNGSC”.

6. Double-click on “DisableFileSyncNGSC” and set the value to “1”.

7. Click “OK” to save the changes.

8. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe

3. Type the following command and press Enter:

%SystemRoot%System32OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

How to uninstall OneDrive completely from Windows 10?

If you want to completely uninstall OneDrive from your computer, you can follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.

2. Click on “Apps”.

3. Scroll down and click on “Microsoft OneDrive”.

4. Click on “Uninstall”.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

6. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

By removing OneDrive from your computer, you can free up valuable space and reduce clutter in your system. In the next section, we’ll explore the benefits of removing OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer.

How to remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer?

Now that we’ve discussed why you might want to remove OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer, let’s explore how to do it. There are several methods to remove OneDrive, and we’ll cover three of the most popular ones.

Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool that allows you to configure and manage Windows settings. Here’s how to remove OneDrive using the Group Policy Editor:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter.

3. Navigate to “Local Computer Policy” > “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “OneDrive”.

4. Double-click on “Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage”.

5. Select “Enabled” and click “OK”.

6. Restart your computer.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor

The Registry Editor is another powerful tool that allows you to modify Windows settings. Here’s how to remove OneDrive using the Registry Editor:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “regedit” and press Enter.

3. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows”.

4. Right-click on “Windows” and select “New” > “Key”.

5. Name the key “OneDrive”.

6. Right-click on the new “OneDrive” key and select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.

7. Name the value “DisableFileSyncNGSC”.

8. Double-click on the new value and set it to “1”.

9. Restart your computer.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt

The Command Prompt is a command-line tool that allows you to execute commands and automate tasks. Here’s how to remove OneDrive using the Command Prompt:

1. Press Windows + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

2. Type “taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe” and press Enter.

3. Type “%SystemRoot%SysWOW64OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall” and press Enter.

4. Type “%SystemRoot%System32OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall” and press Enter.

5. Restart your computer.

How to uninstall OneDrive completely from Windows 10?

If you want to completely uninstall OneDrive from your computer, you can do so using the following steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter.

3. Locate “Microsoft OneDrive” in the list of installed programs.

4. Right-click on “Microsoft OneDrive” and select “Uninstall”.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to remove OneDrive from your computer completely.

In the next section, we’ll explore the benefits of removing OneDrive from Windows 10 Explorer.