Am I The Only One Who Hates OneDrive?
Surely not........
Sunday, October 4, 2015 by RedneckDude | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Guys, this is probably old news, but I just learned how to totally disable OneDrive on Windows 10. Seems to work on Windows 8.1 as well.
When I say completely disable, I mean it isn't in the systray, isn't in the tree view in Explorer, and completely just ceases to exist, so to speak.
Finally....hehe. So, in case you want to do the same, I thought I'd share the info I found. Also, some links below because I don't think the Home versions of 8 and 10 have group policy editor.
It's really easy too. Firstly, right click the systray icon, settings, unlink OneDrive on this PC. Also untick the box to start OneDrive with Windows.
Just type Group Policy Editor in search. Or, if you have made the God Mode shortcut, use it.
Once in GPE, click on "Computer Configuration".
Then "Administrative Templates".
Then "Windows Components".
Scroll down to OneDrive, double click it, and you'll see "Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.".
Double click that, and tick the "Enabled" box.
Right click the systray icon, exit.
Reboot. When you get booted back up, OneDrive will not be in the systray. It will still be in the tree view in Explorer, but you can click on it there, and it goes away.
Then, you can feel free to delete the folder you were using for OneDrive.
https://techjourney.net/disable-or-uninstall-onedrive-completely-in-windows-10/
It does however sound like exactly the type of thing I could do without. 
Reply #4 Tuesday, October 6, 2015 7:44 PM
I agree that One drive is clunky to use compared to Drop box, but I get 1.15 TB free. (Yes, that's terabytes)
How could I refuse? 
Reply #5 Tuesday, October 6, 2015 10:10 PM
Well, I get tired of the icon in the systray always saying "connecting" or "syncing" etc..
And eating up resources in doing so.
Seems like OneDrive is always trying to keep up.
Reply #6 Tuesday, October 6, 2015 10:12 PM
I have 85 GB of Dropbox space, plenty for me, and it hardly ever causes me any trouble.
Plus I have UNLIMITED space on a good friend's server. So, OneDrive, for me, is NoDrive.
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 6, 2015 11:57 PM
Apparently it's just me, Mark......
No, not just you! I just found a reason to dislike it plenty much.
I recently started using the Freemake audio converter and every time I open it I get this thing pop up about not being able to connect with OneDrive. Being that I don't use OneDrive and its not synced to anything, obviously not, but I can do without the message rearing its ugly head each time. I'm thinking that Freemake sees it as being there in Explorer but can't sync to it, and that if I get rid of it as suggested I'll rid myself of the damned message.
Reply #8 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 5:52 AM
When I installed the Seagate backup they offered me 200gb free storage on one drive. Needless to say I declined. Clunky is something I can do without.
Reply #9 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 7:10 AM
There is an easier and even better way Jim. Do not log onto your computer with a Microsoft account. When I installed windows 10 I signed in with a local account and made sure all sync settings were disabled, they may have been by default on a local account but I cannot remember. I never had onedrive show up on my computer but I do occasionally use it online directly from my email account.
Reply #10 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 12:39 PM
Ken, I was under the impression that OneDrive is now built into Windows. Maybe not so with 7, but I think it's part of Windows on 8 and 10.
I could be wrong.
I prefer the MS account login for various reasons. I do like to sync some things, and if you use a local account you can only browse the Windows Store, so you will have to use a Microsoft account to install apps.
Reply #11 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 12:45 PM
OneDrive is integrated into Windows 10. I use it and Dropbox all the time.
Reply #12 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 12:51 PM
I used OneDrive for a while, Spencer. But I seem to have a lot of syncing problems with it, and the trya icon was constantly syncing, or trying to connect, or failing to sync, etc.
Just seemed like too much trouble. And apparently, you can only have so many PCs linked to the same OneDrive acct. and I have 5 PCs, a laptop, a netbook, and a tablet to sync.
Dropbox serves me well.
Reply #13 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 12:54 PM
I right clicked on one drive, it shows up in the all programs but isn't listed in programs and features. The file location is C:\Windows\File Manager and I don't think I can delete it. It isn't installed though.
Reply #14 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 2:31 PM
Ross, it is part of Windows. You won't see it in Programs and Features.
My instructions above work. Use Group Policy Editor. Once it's all turned off, you can delete it in Program Files, and everywhere else.
Reply #15 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 3:42 PM
I could be wrong but even though it is built into windows it is only activated if you installed windows 10 using a Microsoft account. I have never seen any sync notifications or onedrive in my system tray using a local account. I do not sync anything and I do not get apps from the store.
Reply #16 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 3:45 PM
You may be right, Ken. It just won't work for me because I do sync and get apps.
Reply #17 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 6:57 PM
I have Win 8.1 64bit home. I typed Group Policy Editor in the start menu and nothing shows up. I Googled it and only Pro and higher have it. I also have god mode and it isn't listed there either.
Reply #18 Wednesday, October 7, 2015 8:01 PM
From OP.
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Reply #1 Monday, October 5, 2015 12:27 AM
Thanks for the tip, Jim. I've not exactly ever had a problem with it, being I never use it, but it is one listing in Explorer I can do without.... as in the less clutter the better.