OneDrive switched itself back on

JM 0 Reputation points
2026-01-10T10:15:41.2233333+00:00

Let me be clear to start with: I hate OneDrive as a concept. I think OneDrive is a scam to try to make less tech-savvy Windows users pay for the storage that's already on their computer. I think OneDrive is effectively malware. I find the way Microsoft tries to surreptitiously force users to use it is utterly disgusting. I have read online about the many people who have found that OneDrive has spontaneously deleted all of their files off their own computers with no reason. I despise OneDrive, and I don't want it on my computer.

This morning, having been switched foff for about six months, OneDrive has apparently decided to start itself up again without my consent. Why has this happened? And how do I permanently remove OneDrive malware from my PC?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings
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  1. DaveM121 945.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-01-10T10:52:08.78+00:00

    You indicate you disabled OneDrive previously, did you actually uninstall the OneDrive app from inside the Settings app - Apps - Installed apps, if you uninstalled the app, then it should not be able to re-enable itself automatically on your PC.

    Do you have a subscription to Microsoft 365 (Office) on your PC and if so, did you go into the Word Settings - Save option to ensure Office is set to save files locally on your PC.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-01-10T10:15:52.1433333+00:00

    If OneDrive has restarted itself on your PC, it may be due to system updates or settings that allow it to run automatically. To permanently remove OneDrive from your computer, you can use the following methods:

    Method 1: Uninstall OneDrive

    You can uninstall OneDrive by running the OneDrive client setup package with the uninstall command. Here’s how:

    1. Open the Command Prompt.
    2. Type the following command and press Enter: 
         OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

    This command will remove OneDrive from your system.

    Method 2: Delete Shortcuts

    If you want to prevent OneDrive from being advertised on your computer, you can delete the shortcuts that are created after installation. These shortcuts can typically be found in the following locations:

    • %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft OneDrive.lnk
    • %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\OneDrive.lnk
    • %USERPROFILE%\Links\OneDrive.lnk

    Additional Note

    Keep in mind that uninstalling OneDrive will prevent synchronization with OneDrive.com and OneDrive for Business, which might affect your ability to access files stored in the cloud.

    If you continue to experience issues with OneDrive reactivating, consider checking your Windows settings to ensure that it is not set to start automatically after updates.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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