How do I “unlink” or do what needs to be done to not use OneDrive?

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[southieguy]

As part of setting up my new W11 Home PC, I started a Microsoft 365 Family subscription.

Like I’ve done with all my other PC’s with earlier Op. systems, I set up a 2nd partition for my data. In moving the User Folders over the way I’ve always done it, I discovered Pictures and Documents want to stay in The Cloud.

How can I unlink from OneDrive so that all my stuff is on my machine rather than off in the clouds?

Thanks for any help offered,

Southieguy

• This topic was modified 2 years, 4 months ago by southieguy. Reason: typo

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If you don’t use OneDrive at all, consider uninstalling it.

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southieguy

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If I uninstall it, what happens to the stuff that has been put there by M_soft?

Thank you,

Southieguy

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It remains there, as I found out when I accidentality deleted OneDrive (was running two PCs to test something and deleted the wrong one – doh)

remember to ensure you files are always kept on your device option is ticked though (I always do)

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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southieguy

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Use your user folders for files you want stored in the cloud.  Create your own folders for files you want only on your machine.

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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southieguy

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You can also right-click on folders and choose ‘Always keep on this device’.

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southieguy

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access-mdb:

When I go to OS>Users>myname-folder and right click on Documents, for example, it doesn’t show an option to choose ‘Always keep on this device’.

southieguy

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That option is only on the OneDrive folder, so would expect it to be in OS>Users>myname-folder>OneDrive

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southieguy

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I don’t see it on right-clicking on Onedrive.  I wonder if it has to do with what I get with the Microsoft Family Plan (to which I am subscibed.)

Also, IMO, Windows 11 “stinks” and seems way different than W8 and W10.

To get rid of Onedrive, I probably have to unsubscribe from the Family Plan.

southieguy

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Can you not open the settings of onedrive and click unlink this pc? I usually right-click the icon in the system tray to access settings. Also backup settings are in there too.

 

Edit to add: Also, the option to save files to this pc are in there too.

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southieguy

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Nothing shows up to unlink when I right click on it.

Southieguy

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Settings, Account, Unlink this PC (after right-click on tray cloud icon).

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cyberSAR, southieguy

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b:

I should appologize to the board, ’cause I mucked up.

I was so anxious to make my installed W11 look as close to W8.1 as I could  that I started applying things like DoNotSpy, O & O Shutup, StartisBack, Stardock’s Start Program, trying one, taking it off, etc.

It was like me trying to race a racecar after just getting my driver’s license.

One result is I don’t have any ” tray cloud icon”, even after I take off the Stardock Start program.

Sorry.  Too many helpful people are basically wasting their time trying to help me unravel the mess I’ve made.

southieguy

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Might be because OneDrive isn’t set to start up with windows. Try typing Onedrive into search, run it, and see if it starts and places the icon into the tray. I’m familiar with O&O but not the others.

And, nothing to apologize for that’s what we do and how we learn!

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southieguy

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CyberSAR:

Thank you for your kind words. When I opened it, it didn’t place an icon in the tray.

Southieguy

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Are you signed into windows with an MS account?  If so, have you considered trying to create a new local/admin account and see how things play out with it? Being as it’s a new Office subscription are you sure you have anything stored on onedrive? Could you be signed in with a different account if so?

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southieguy

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cyberSAR:

Thank you! I set up a Local Account and I think that will do the trick.

Lance’s Newsletter article (“How to set up . . .”) was very helpful.

southieguy

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Fred Langa has an excellent set of articles regarding onedrive all rolled together in Specioal Addition ISSUE 18.25 • 2021-07-05.  Well worth the read.

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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southieguy

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mledman:

Thanks.  I’ll read through what’s provided there.

southieguy

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Call me “crazy” or something else, but nothing I read there (here, or elsewhere on the web (like Brink’s W11 help site)) seem to apply to my Onedrive on my PC. Even going to my account and my Microsoft 365 Family subscription doesn’t offer any ability to follow suggestions.

Southieguy

Follow-on question:

I now have 3 partitions on my PC (OS, Data, Storage). Would I be better off doing a Windows repair; and, if I do, what would I lose?

Also, does anyone know what happens if I unsubscribe from my Microsoft 365 Family subscription?

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I’m closing this thread and my other open one. Either through work-arounds or “make Windows 11 better” software I’ve been adding, I have my new PC in a semi-workable-the-way-I-want-it state.

Once I’m satisfied, if it would be helpful, I’ll start a thread called “Lessons Learned.”

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mledman

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