How do I remove onedrive from my laptop, remove the files from one drive, but keep them ONLY on my pc?

How to Fully Remove OneDrive from Your Laptop and Retain Files Locally

If you’re looking to completely disconnect your laptop from OneDrive and ensure all your files are stored locally on your device, this guide will help you through the process. Whether you rarely use OneDrive, encounter syncing issues, or simply prefer to manage your files manually, here’s a step-by-step approach to deactivate OneDrive, transfer your files, and prevent further synchronization.

Understanding OneDrive and Its Behavior

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service that seamlessly syncs files between your device and the cloud. When active, files stored in OneDrive may reside both locally and online, depending on your settings. If you deauthorize or uninstall OneDrive without adjusting sync options, you risk losing access to files stored solely in the cloud. Therefore, the first step is to ensure all files are safely stored on your local drive.

Step 1: Verify and Backup Your Files

Before making changes, it’s prudent to confirm that all your files are available locally.

1. Open your OneDrive folder:

2. Usually located at C:\Users[YourUsername]\OneDrive

3. Check for files that have a cloud icon or status symbols. Files with a cloud icon are only in the cloud.

4. Download all cloud-only files:

5. Right-click each file or folder and select ‘Always keep on this device’. This ensures they are stored locally.

6. Wait for the sync to complete before proceeding.

Step 2: Stop OneDrive from Syncing and Sign Out

To prevent OneDrive from syncing in the future:

1. Click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner). If it’s minimized, click the upward arrow to view hidden icons.

2. Right-click the OneDrive icon and select ‘Settings.’

3. Under the ‘Account’ tab, click ‘Unlink this PC’ or ‘Unlink account.’

4. Confirm the action when prompted.

This action disconnects your device from OneDrive, stopping sync operations.

Step 3: Remove OneDrive from Startup (Optional)

To prevent OneDrive from starting automatically upon boot:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).

2. Navigate to the ‘Startup’ tab.

3. Find ‘Microsoft OneDrive’ and disable it.

Step 4: Uninstall OneDrive

To completely remove OneDrive from your system:

1. Open the Windows Settings (Win + I).

2. Navigate to ‘Apps’ > ‘