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OneDrive is uninstalled on my PC, yet its still syncing. How do I stop this?

Anonymous
2024-05-08T00:53:53+00:00

So, I've had Onedrive uninstalled for the longest time on my pc. But then I started getting notifications saying, my files are gonna be deleted if you don't clean out your Onedrive. So I go on and see its completely filled with my C: drive data. I've checked my pc for Onedrive and control panel can't find it nor normal search.

System is Windows 10 Pro edition. I just want Onedrive to completely stop, its too intrusive and getting in my way, overall just not being useful so I want it removed entirely.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-02-01T13:28:05+00:00

    Okay, a better resolution.

    After using two different software packages to clean up registry and whatnot.

    a) I went to my microcrap account again, see that that there is a lot of files there AND in onedrive no less.

    --- even though the microsoft account showing onedrive - it WANTS me to RESTORE MY ONEDRIVE on my computer, which I am not doing.

    b) DELETED ALL OF THE FILES in my microcrap account relating to onedrive (which I did NOT know were being backed up there) and the account recycle bin.

    c) Restarted pc.

    ---- There is NO MORE ONEDRIVE on my D: DRIVE.

    My screen desktop icons ARE BACK.

    Albeit - STILL DUPLICATED FOR MOST OF THEM for some reason, even though there are no duplicates in my c:\users\blah blah \desktop folder. (signed in as admin)

    --- I will have to MANUALLY delete the duplicates from the screen desktop.

    Now, after checking the properties for some of the duplicate shortcuts, I see why they are duplicated.

    The duplicates are being pulled from:

    c:\users**\public*desktop folder*......**Now, I will have to spend time figuring out how to stop the desktop icons from pulled from two different locations.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-02-01T12:52:53+00:00

    Yes and no one at microsoft appears to have a solid answer to give us.

    I did the default location inanity then deleted that onedrive that continues to show up IN MY D: DRIVE...!!!

    --- and YES, I did the unlinking of onedrive LAST YEAR.... it does not show up in my microsoft account

    Then, even after restarting the pc, my desktop screen is blank, except for recycle bin.

    Then, looked at c: drive (as ADMIN) and see that desktop folder with all of my desktop items is there.

    BUT THE DESKTOP SCREEN IS BLANK....!!!! So, I copy several of them as shortcuts .

    They NOW SHOW up as DUPLICATES even IF there is only ONE OF EACH in the D: DRIVE folder (instead of MY C: DESKTOP folder)

    ---- PLUS ONEDRIVE IS BACK IN MY D: DRIVE

    Image Image

    THIS IS NOW UTTER NONSENSE AND GARBAGE!!!!!! Wasting my time attempting to get my desktop back and BAN onedrive...

    Then, after I delete (AGAIN) the d: drive onedrive content, ALL of the items on the screen are deleted as well.

    Remember, I did the c: users folder LOCATION default - SEVERAL TIMES NOW....

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-05-12T06:49:07+00:00

    Dear Stephen King (0307100k),

    We see that you indicated that you tried to reinstall and unlink the computer information, but the program would not load.

    Are you getting this error when you open the application after a successful installation? Where did you download your OneDrive program from? Microsoft website or Microsoft Store?

    This problem may be caused by the network connection after your installation or the recent data migration of OneDrive's servers, we can first try to optimize your computer's network settings to see if you can successfully log in to your OneDrive program and help you to unlink your computer.

    1. Change network:

    If it is convenient, you can also try to change the hotspot of your cell phone and try again, and if you have other networks, you can try to change the network several times.

    1. Change DNS:

    Start>Settings>Network and Internet>Double-click to open Change Adapter Options. “> right-click” connected network “open” properties “> select” Internet Protocol version 4 “double-click to open > check the use of The following DNS server address>Preferred DNS server (4.2.2.1), Alternate DNS server (4.2.2.2)>OK>OK>Try again after the change, remember to change it to Automatic after success.

    1. Reset Internet Option's Network Options:

    Hold down the Windows (logo key) + R keys, type

    inetcpl.cpl, 
    

    then click Advanced, in the “Settings” list scroll down to Security and check SSL3.0, TSL1.0, TSL1.1, TSL1.2. Apply and click Reset underneath and then click Delete Personal Settings and then click Reset.

    1. Locate: C: \WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc find hosts file cut to the desktop paste (that is, clear the operation of the host), and then see how the effect.
    2. In the taskbar search box, type “cmd”, right-click on the command prompt, select “run as administrator”, in the administrator: Command Prompt window to execute the following command: netsh Winsock reset

    Press Enter Then restart your computer.

    You can try to worry about your system's network connection to see if you can successfully log in. After logging in, you can click OneDrive Settings - Accounts, and then click “Unlink this computer” under Accounts.

    If it doesn't work or you have more information, you can restore us and we will help you to confirm the information.

    We look forward to your response.

    Best Regards,

    Zenobia-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-05-10T19:51:21+00:00

    I tried reinstalling OneDrive to try and unsync from there, but the program won't load? Its just stuck loading for about five minutes until it gives this.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-05-09T14:02:04+00:00

    Dear Stephen King (0307100k),

    Thank you for your reply.

    I see that you indicated that after opening outlook it shows that it is full and is prompting an error because the document files are saved in OneDrive. You indicated that most of the files are in your desktop and documents folders, and you are not sure if you have unlinked your account, and if you uninstall OneDrive, your files will not synchronize with your desktop files.

    If you are still concerned about your sync being affected by the unlinked account and would like to re-link your account, you may need to re-download the OneDrive program to unlink the account since this is done in the OneDrive program, and then uninstall your OneDrive after unlinking it:

    You can open the OneDrive program in your system, click Settings - Sync and Backup - Manage Backup to see exactly what folders you have chosen to synchronize your desktop with, you can turn off your folder options to stop the synchronization, this does not affect your OneDrive file information.

    However, you should note that if you cancel the link, your desktop and other folders will show corresponding shortcuts, we suggest you open the shortcuts to copy or backup the files to other places, so that you can delete or move the shortcuts to cause file loss.

    Back up your folders with OneDrive - Microsoft Support

    Meanwhile, the concern that you are displaying a mailbox that shows OneDrive files are full is due to the fact that the space and corresponding information has been stored in your OneDrive web end, and you can further confirm your OneDrive space information:

    You can log in to the OneDrive web end: https://onedrive.live.com/ to view the details of the storage in the lower left corner to help confirm whether your OneDrive space is sufficient.

    You also indicated that you found the OneDrive folder in question by digging through the folders and wanted to confirm the impact of deleting it on your synchronized files:

    Since you indicated that you found the corresponding OneDrive file information through searching and are not sure if it is due to any changes made previously and other information, we are not able to fully determine whether it will affect your OneDrive synchronization information, according to the screenshot information you shared with us to confirm that it is indeed the OneDrive folder information.

    OneDrive will not sync your information after you completely delete it, and you may not keep the OneDrive program on your system, before you delete it, in order to prevent your synced files from being affected and resulting in file loss.

    To prevent your synchronized files from being affected before you delete it, you can uninstall and delete the folder after you have backed up your files after unlinking it.

    If you don't want to re-download the OneDrive program, you can try to find your folder information through your OneDrive web page, keep the files backed up in other places, and then delete the corresponding folders.

    You can manipulate your OneDrive program and folder information according to your needs.

    Hope it helps.  If any update, welcome to share with us.

    We look forward to your response.

    Thanks for your patience and understanding.

    Best Regards,

    Zenobia-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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