Opening OneDrive keeps bringing me to files/folder instead of app

Question

Hello!

Every time I open OneDrive in my search bar, it keeps bringing me to the folder instead of the app. How do I get it to open the app itself?

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling but it doesn't work. I saw a very similar post with the same problem, where someone recommended downloading OneDrive from Microsoft Apps, however, I could not even find OneDrive in the app to download it.

My files are automatically saved there, and I want to unlink it since it is not really useful to me, but in order to do that, I need to access the app.

Thank you! Any help is appreciated :)

Answer 1

Selecting the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar always opens the synced OneDrive folder in File Explorer; that is expected behavior for the backup/sync app. To change OneDrive settings or unlink the PC, use the OneDrive settings dialog instead of trying to “open the app” as a separate window.

To unlink OneDrive on Windows:

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area (system tray) to show the OneDrive pop‑up.
2. Select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon, then select Settings.
3. Go to the Account tab.
4. Select Unlink this PC, then select Unlink account.

This stops the PC from syncing with OneDrive; files already in the local OneDrive folder remain on the PC, and files remain available online via the OneDrive website.

If the settings window does not appear or behaves incorrectly, unlinking and re‑linking (or reinstalling) can be used as repair steps. After unlinking, sign in again only if OneDrive is needed; otherwise leave it unlinked.

Note that there are two different OneDrive experiences on Windows:

• Microsoft OneDrive (backup and sync client; opens the folder in File Explorer and provides sync settings).
• OneDrive by Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft Store app; lets users view OneDrive but does not handle backup/sync).

The behavior described corresponds to the backup/sync client, which is the correct component to use for unlinking the PC.

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References:

• Unlink and re-link OneDrive
• Reinstall OneDrive
• OneDrive desktop app for earlier versions of Windows
• How to fix "A newer version of OneDrive is installed"