Overall, the guide is structured in simple language, making it perfect for individuals who may not be very tech-savvy. I will cover both methods—the manual approach and using the Registry Editor for a more advanced solution, and I will ensure you understand each step.
Table of Contents
- Understanding OneDrive
- Reasons to Hide or Remove OneDrive Icon
- Method 1: Using Settings to Unlink or Disable OneDrive
- 3.1 Unlink Your OneDrive Account
- 3.2 Disable OneDrive Startup
- Method 2: Hiding OneDrive via Group Policy Editor (Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise / Windows 11 Pro)
- Method 3: Hiding OneDrive Icon through Registry Editor (Windows 10 & 11)
- 5.1 Backup Your Registry
- 5.2 Find and Edit OneDrive Entries
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
1. Understanding OneDrive
OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that allows you to store files and access them from any device with internet access. Files stored in OneDrive can be synchronized across multiple devices, making it convenient to work on documents and access them from anywhere. However, not everyone uses OneDrive, and its presence on File Explorer may be unnecessary for some users.
2. Reasons to Hide or Remove OneDrive Icon
There are several reasons you might want to hide or remove the OneDrive icon from your File Explorer:
- Decluttering: Having too many icons can make navigation challenging.
- Reducing Confusion: If you're not using OneDrive, you may inadvertently click on it thinking it's a different folder.
- Privacy Concerns: Some users may want to limit the exposure of their files stored in the cloud.
- Improving Performance: Disabling cloud synchronization can improve system performance.
3. Method 1: Using Settings to Unlink or Disable OneDrive
This is the simplest method for those who are not comfortable with advanced tools like the Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.
3.1 Unlink Your OneDrive Account
Open OneDrive: Click on the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray (usually at the bottom right of your screen).
Settings: Click on the gear icon and then select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Account Tab: In the settings window, go to the Account tab.
Unlink This PC: Click on the Unlink this PC link. This will stop syncing your files to OneDrive and remove the OneDrive folder from File Explorer.
3.2 Disable OneDrive Startup
You might also want to stop OneDrive from starting when you boot your computer:
Open Task Manager: Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
Startup Tab: Click on the Startup tab.
Disable OneDrive: Find OneDrive in the list, right-click on it, and select Disable. This will prevent OneDrive from launching at startup.
4. Method 2: Hiding OneDrive via Group Policy Editor (Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise / Windows 11 Pro)
If you have Windows Pro and want to completely hide OneDrive from File Explorer, you can use the Group Policy Editor.
Steps to Hide OneDrive via Group Policy:
Open Group Policy Editor: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type
gpedit.mscand press Enter.Navigate to Policies: Go to the following path: Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive
Prevent App Usage: Find the policy titled "Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage". Double-click on it to edit.
Enable Policy: Select Enabled and click Apply, then OK.
Restart Your Computer: For the changes to take effect, restart your computer.
5. Method 3: Hiding OneDrive Icon through Registry Editor (Windows 10 & 11)
For those comfortable making registry changes, this method will allow you to remove OneDrive from File Explorer more thoroughly.
5.1 Backup Your Registry
Before you make any changes, it’s essential to back up your registry:
Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type
regedit, and press Enter.Backup: Click on File > Export. Choose a location to save the backup and name it. Make sure to select All under the Export range.
5.2 Find and Edit OneDrive Entries
Now that you've backed up your registry, follow these steps:
Navigate to OneDrive Key: Go to the following paths:
- For 32-bit Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive
- For 64-bit Windows: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive
Create a New DWORD: Right-click in the right-pane, select New, then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it
DisableFileSyncNGSC.Set Value: Double-click on the new entry and set its value to
1.Navigate to Explorer Key: Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Create New Key: Right-click on Explorer, then choose New > Key and name it
Advanced.Create and Set Values: Inside the Advanced key, right-click on the right side, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, then name it HideOneDrive, and set its value to
1.Restart Your Computer: Finally, restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
6. Final Thoughts
Hiding or removing the OneDrive icon from File Explorer can significantly improve your experience within Windows, especially if you don’t use the service. Whether using the easy method through settings, the Group Policy Editor for advanced users, or the Registry Editor for complete control, you can achieve a cleaner and more personalized workspace in Windows 10 and 11.
7. FAQs
1. What happens if I remove OneDrive?
Removing OneDrive will not delete any files in your cloud storage, but you won’t have access to the OneDrive folder from File Explorer. Files will still be available when you access OneDrive through a web browser.
2. Can I restore OneDrive later?
Yes, you can easily restore OneDrive by accessing it through the app or reinstalling if necessary. If you used the Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor, you can revert those changes as well.
3. Will hiding OneDrive improve my computer’s performance?
Hiding OneDrive itself won’t directly affect performance, but disabling it from starting with Windows might free up some resources, improving startup time and overall performance.
4. Is it safe to make changes in the Registry?
Yes, but caution is advised. Always back up the registry before making changes, as incorrect modifications can cause system issues.
5. Can I uninstall OneDrive entirely?
Yes, if you decide you do not want OneDrive at all, you can uninstall it via Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Check for Microsoft OneDrive in the list and click Uninstall.