Windows 10: OneDrive Desync

OneDrive is one of the three leading cloud storage providers, along with Google Drive and Dropbox. Windows 10 has a OneDrive app that syncs your folders and other files, so you can access them directly from File Explorer.

However, there are some options to unsync OneDrive, if you don't want to sync cloud storage with Windows 10.

Resynchronize your computer's hard drives

1. Uninstall OneDrive

If the OneDrive app is not necessary and you prefer to use the browser to open documents, uninstall it in some versions of Windows 10. The Windows 10 Creators Update has made it possible to uninstall OneDrive via the Programs and Features tab. You can uninstall the OD app as follows.

1. To open Run, press the Win+R key.

2. Click the Open Run box to enter appwiz.cpl and click OK. Click the button below to display the window.

3. Scroll down until you find the Microsoft OneDrive app. You can also type OneDrive in the search field, as shown below.

4. Select OneDrive, and then click the Uninstall button

5. Then press the Yes button . For further confirmation, click here.

OneDrive cannot be uninstalled as described in earlier versions of Windows 10. You can uninstall OneDrive in versions of Windows 10 prior to the Creators Update. Instead of using Command Prompt to uninstall the cloud storage app, follow these steps.

1. Enter acmd in the search box by tapping on the Cortana icon.

2. Next, right-click on Command Prompt and select As administrator

3. Please enter Taskkill /f/f/im OneDrive.exe. Click in the "Specify" field to register the OneDrive application.

4. You can uninstall OneDrive on 64-bit Windows platforms by entering the following command and pressing Return

5. Enter the following command to remove OneDrive on a 32-bit computer. Press Enter.

2. Unable to sync OneDrive with Group Policy Editor

OneDrive can be uninstalled in several ways without deleting the app. Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise come with the Local Group Policy Editor, which allows you to disable OneDrive sync.

Here's how to sync OneDrive and Group Policy Editor.

1. Enter open gpedit.msc in the Cortana search box.

2. In the left pane, click Computer Configuration or Administrative Templates.

3. Double-click the Windows Components or OneDrive folders.

4. Next, double-click on OneDrive file storage must stop. You'll find it on the right side of the Group Policy Editor window.

5. Select the Authorized radio button.

6. Then, click the OK button.

7. Select the radio button to reactivate cloud storage when needed. This is not configured for the option OneDrive file storage must stop.

3. Choose the Outcome option

1. You can unlink the OneDrive app even if you don't have the Windows Group Policy Editor . You can do this by right-clicking the OneDrive icon and selecting Settings.

2. Next, choose the Account tab, as shown in the following image

3. Click on Remove this link. Click the button below to display the dialog box.

4. Click the Unlink Account button to unsync your OD files

5. The box can also be unchecked. When you connect to Windows, OneDrive starts automatically. Click on the Settings tab.

6. Please click OK . You can find it in the Microsoft OneDrive window.

4. You can select Unsync specific folders

You can choose to unsync specific files and/or folders. This is easier than syncing your entire OneDrive storage with Windows. This will allow you to free up space on your hard drive while keeping a portion of OneDrive synced with Windows 10.

You can do this by selectively unsyncing folders and files from OD.

1. Click the OneDrive status bar icon to select Settings.

2. Select the Choose Folders tab. This tab includes a Choose Folders button.

3. Then, press the button. You can choose from a variety of files to open a list of all your OneDrive files and folders.

4. Check the box My OneDrive lets you sync all folders and files.

5. You can uncheck the check boxes next to folders or files that you don't need to sync.

6. Click OK. You can close the OneDrive window if you've unchecked the boxes for folders and files. Unsynced files and folders won't be included in the OneDrive file explorer folder.

This can be done by selecting "Uninstall OneDrive" and then choosing the appropriate option. Click the button to activate it. You can choose from a variety of file types . You can use OneDrive to free up hard drive space for new programs by deleting files from OneDrive. Unsyncing files and images that aren't used often is a good idea.

Editor's note: The original November 2017 publication of this post has been completely rewritten and revised to be accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date.