How to completely uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11

• You can uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11 from Settings > Apps > Installed apps or by using the winget uninstall Microsoft.OneDrive command.
• WinGet can also reinstall OneDrive with the winget install Microsoft.OneDrive command.
• If you prefer not to use Command Prompt, you can download the OneDrive installer directly from Microsoft’s website.
• The same basic methods work on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

On Windows 11, you can use the Windows Package Manager (WinGet) command to uninstall or install the OneDrive sync client. Although OneDrive is installed by default on every Windows installation, you may need to reinstall the client if it isn’t working correctly or if you don’t use it. 

Regardless of the reason, you can download and install the client manually from the Microsoft website, or use the WinGet tool through Command Prompt to install and uninstall the app.

WinGet is a command-line tool that makes it easier to automate searching, downloading, installing, upgrading, and configuring applications on your computer. The tool was designed for developers, but anyone can use it to install apps like OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, and VirtualBox.

In this guide, I’ll explain how to add or remove OneDrive on Windows 10 or 11.

• Uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11
• Install OneDrive on Windows 11
• Pureinfotech’s Take

Uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can remove OneDrive in at least two ways using the Settings app and Command Prompt through the Windows Package Manager tool.

Command Prompt method

To uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11 with commands, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. (Optional) Type the following command to view a list of the apps you can uninstall with the Windows Package Manager and press Enter:

   winget uninstall

4. Type the following command to uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11 and press Enter:

   winget uninstall Microsoft.OneDrive

   

After you complete the steps, the OneDrive sync client application will be removed from your computer.

Settings app method

To uninstall the OneDrive app from your computer, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Apps.

3. Click the Installed apps page.

   Quick note: On Windows 10, you must navigate to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.

4. Click the three-dot button next to the “Microsoft OneDrive” app.

5. Choose the Uninstall option.

   

6. Click the Uninstall option again.

Once you complete the steps, your Microsoft account will be unlinked from your computer, and the app will be completely removed.

Microsoft recently added the option to remove the sync client through the Settings app. Previously, the only option was to use the Windows Package Manager, but that has changed, as reflected on the Microsoft support website.

Install OneDrive on Windows 11

You can reinstall the OneDrive app using the Command Prompt or download the installer from the web.

Command Prompt method

To install OneDrive on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to search for the app and press Enter:

   winget search OneDrive

4. Type the following command to install OneDrive on Windows 11 using the app ID and press Enter:

   winget install Microsoft.OneDrive

   

Once you complete the steps, the Windows Package Manager will automatically download and install the OneDrive app on Windows.

Offline installer method

To download and install OneDrive on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Open the Download OneDrive page.

2. Click the Download button and save the installer on your computer.

   

3. Double-click the file to install the app. 

After you complete the steps, the app is installed on the computer.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I like having the choice to remove OneDrive when I don’t need it. Not every computer is used the same way, and forcing a sync client into the setup isn’t useful if you have no reason to use it.

I also prefer having both Settings and WinGet as options. The Settings route is easier for most people, while WinGet is handy when I’m setting up or maintaining multiple computers and want a quick command instead of clicking through the interface.

I wouldn’t remove OneDrive just to remove it, especially if you rely on Microsoft account syncing or cloud storage. But if you don’t use the service, there’s little reason to keep an app you never open. Knowing I can remove it and reinstall it later makes that decision even easier.

Do you use OneDrive on your Windows PC, or have you removed it? Let me know in the comments.