You can now uninstall OneDrive completely from Windows 10 without using workarounds. In previous versions, you needed to manually install the OneDrive sync client, but on Windows 10, the cloud storage software came built-in and you’re unable to uninstall it using the Settings app or Control Panel.

However, it appears that now Microsoft is recognizing that not everyone wants to use the service, and it’s adding the uninstaller to remove OneDrive as it was any other app.

If you’re not interested on storing your files in the cloud or you prefer a different cloud storage service, you can now use the Settings app or Control Panel to uninstall OneDrive completely from Windows 10.

I’m not sure if this is temporarily or if Microsoft is thinking on letting users opt-out of the app running Windows 10, but the option is currently there for anyone who wants to remove the sync client.

Before uninstalling OneDrive

It’s important to note at this time Microsoft doesn’t offer the files to reinstall OneDrive on Windows 10, as such you want to make sure to backup the OneDriveSetup.exe file located in this path:

%HOMEPATH%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\Update

How to uninstall OneDrive from Windows 10

There are two ways to uninstall OneDrive from Windows 10, you can use the Settings app or Control Panel. However, it’s important to note that it may take a few tries before you can completely remove the desktop app using the Settings app.

Use Settings app to uninstall OneDrive:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click on Apps & features.
  • Select Microsoft OneDrive and click Uninstall.
  • Click Uninstall again to confirm.
  • Uninstalling OneDrive using Settings app
  • Restart your computer to complete the task.

If OneDrive still present after rebooting, try one more time the same steps, or use Control Panel to remove it.

Open Settings.

Click on Apps & features.

Select Microsoft OneDrive and click Uninstall.

Click Uninstall again to confirm.

Uninstalling OneDrive using Settings app

Restart your computer to complete the task.

Use Control Panel to uninstall OneDrive:

  • Open Control Panel.
  • Click on Uninstall a program.
  • Select OneDrive and click the Uninstall button.
  • Uninstall OneDrive from Windows 10 using Control Panel
  • Restart your computer to complete the task.

Once you completed the steps, OneDrive will no longer be part of your installation.

Open Control Panel.

Click on Uninstall a program.

Select OneDrive and click the Uninstall button.

Uninstall OneDrive from Windows 10 using Control Panel

This process doesn’t delete your previously synced files, and you’ll still see the OneDrive entry in File Explorer to access those synced files.

In the case, you want to reinstall OneDrive on Windows 10, simply double-click the OneDriveSetup.exe you backed up previously, and restart your computer to complete the task.