How To Remove Onedrive From Cloud Only

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by

Vector Linux
in

One of the biggest challenges of using cloud storage services is when you have more than one account and they end up overlapping. This can become particularly frustrating with Microsoft OneDrive. If you prefer to have your files organized and kept separate, you may want to remove OneDrive from being set as “Cloud Only.” In this article, I will walk you through the steps of removing OneDrive from being set as “Cloud Only” and share some personal advice along the way.

What is OneDrive?

Before we dive into the removal process, let’s quickly cover what OneDrive is. OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that allows you to store, sync, and share files across devices. It’s integrated with Windows 10 and can be a convenient way to access your files on the go. However, it can also be a source of confusion when you have multiple accounts or want to keep your files separate.

Step 1: Sign out of OneDrive

The first step to removing OneDrive from Cloud Only is to sign out of your OneDrive account. This will ensure that your files are no longer synced to the cloud. To sign out of OneDrive, follow these steps:

  1. Open the OneDrive app on your device.
  2. Click on your profile picture or initials in the top right corner.
  3. Select “Sign out” from the dropdown menu.

By signing out of OneDrive, you’re effectively disconnecting your device from the cloud storage service. This means that any changes you make to your files will no longer be synced to the cloud.

Step 2: Unlink OneDrive from your device

The next step is to unlink OneDrive from your device. This will remove any traces of OneDrive from your file explorer and prevent it from automatically syncing your files. To unlink OneDrive, follow these steps:

  1. Open the OneDrive app on your device.
  2. Click on your profile picture or initials in the top right corner.
  3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
  4. In the Settings tab, click on the “Unlink this PC” button.

Unlinking OneDrive from your device will ensure that you’re no longer connected to the cloud storage service. This means that your files will no longer be automatically synced to the cloud and any changes you make will only be saved locally.

Step 3: Remove OneDrive from startup

To completely remove OneDrive from Cloud Only, you’ll need to remove it from the startup programs on your device. This will prevent OneDrive from starting up automatically when you turn on your device. To remove OneDrive from startup, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Task Manager by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager”.
  2. Go to the “Startup” tab.
  3. Locate “OneDrive” in the list of startup programs.
  4. Right-click on “OneDrive” and select “Disable”.

Disabling OneDrive from startup will prevent it from launching automatically when you start your device. This will help ensure that your files remain separate and are not synced to the cloud without your consent.

Conclusion

Removing OneDrive from Cloud Only can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth it if you prefer to keep your files organized and separate. By signing out of OneDrive, unlinking it from your device, and removing it from startup, you can ensure that your files are no longer synced to the cloud and remain stored locally. Remember, it’s important to regularly back up your files to an external storage device to avoid any potential data loss. Happy file organizing!