In a nutshell: Microsoft has been pushing OneDrive as the usual cloud storage resolution for Home windows for fairly a while, to the purpose of consumer annoyance. The corporate often tries every little thing it could possibly to hinder consumer’s selection on the way to take care of the service, however issues are seemingly beginning to change.
Microsoft now provides detailed directions on the way to disable and even uninstall the native OneDrive utility on Home windows as soon as and for all. Regardless of its earlier efforts to encourage customers to undertake its cloud storage resolution – going as far as to prompt users who quit the OneDrive app – new coverage challenges, significantly within the European Union, appear to be impacting Redmond’s advertising technique.
First noticed by Neowin, a brand new OneDrive troubleshooting information addresses the correct termination of the service. This step-by-step information is meant for many who want to turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive. Nevertheless, Microsoft recommends merely “unlinking” the shopper as a better various for many who not want to use the service.
After unlinking OneDrive on Home windows (or macOS), customers will nonetheless have entry to their information by logging into OneDrive.com. Furthermore, OneDrive might be “hidden” or uninstalled, as Microsoft explains, with this selection being obtainable on “some variations” of Home windows in addition to on Android and iOS cell units.
The information accommodates some contradictory directions although, initially suggesting that OneDrive is “constructed” immediately into Home windows 10/11 and can’t be uninstalled, solely hidden. It then clarifies that OneDrive can certainly be safely uninstalled from the system with out risking the lack of any information already saved on the service.
Uninstalling OneDrive merely entails navigating to the Home windows Settings web page for put in apps, finding OneDrive, and deciding on Uninstall. This feature is on the market in Home windows 10 and 11, the one working programs for which Microsoft presently provides assist. Customers on Home windows 8.1, nevertheless, look like unable to take away OneDrive from ageing system.
Microsoft’s new strategy to fierce service and product integration could also be a response to Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), a authorized framework that imposes new obligations on digital gatekeepers. European Home windows 11 customers can now uninstall various “system” apps, together with Bing Search and even Edge, as confirmed by Microsoft – a transfer beforehand thought of “inconceivable” because of the so-called deep integration of the net browser and the working system.
