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How to Download Files, Unlink Your PC, and Uninstall OneDrive
Question details
The user wants to download all OneDrive files to their local computer, unlink their PC to stop synchronization delays, and permanently remove the OneDrive application.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is experiencing repeated synchronization delays and wants to be able to edit files locally without waiting for them to sync from the cloud.
- Observed behavior
- Large amounts of data are slow to restore from OneDrive, and online-only files currently require waiting for a background sync before they can be opened or edited.
Before unlinking your account or uninstalling the OneDrive app, ensure you have sufficient local hard drive space to store your files and verify that all essential online-only data has finished downloading.
Download OneDrive Files and Save Locally
Ensure all your important files are fully downloaded to your PC's local storage before you disconnect your Microsoft account.
If you unlink OneDrive while files are still marked as 'online-only', you will lose access to them on your local machine. Downloading them locally prevents any data loss during the unlinking process.
Open File Explorer on your Windows PC and navigate to your OneDrive folder from the left-hand navigation pane.
Right-click the specific files or folders you want to keep locally and select 'Always keep on this device' from the context menu.
Allow the download to finish. You will know it is complete when the status icon next to your files changes to a solid green circle with a white checkmark.
As an extra safety measure, copy the fully downloaded files and paste them into a local directory outside of the OneDrive folder, such as your Desktop or local Documents folder.
Unlink Your PC and Uninstall OneDrive
Once your files are safely backed up locally, you can disconnect your account and remove the OneDrive application to stop future syncing delays.
Experience a Faster, Lighter Office Suite for Local Editing
Tired of dealing with slow synchronization delays and heavy background applications? WPS Office offers a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office. Enjoy seamless local document editing without forced cloud synchronization, ensuring your files are always ready to open exactly when you need them.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office Free from the official website and run the lightweight installer on your PC.
- 2. Open Your Local Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open the documents you just downloaded from OneDrive to begin editing offline.
- 3. Save in MS Office Formats: Edit and save your documents seamlessly in standard .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx formats to maintain perfect compatibility with colleagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will unlinking OneDrive delete my local files?
No, unlinking your PC from OneDrive will not delete files that are fully downloaded to your local hard drive. However, any 'online-only' files that haven't been downloaded will disappear from File Explorer once the account is unlinked.
How do I know if my OneDrive files are fully downloaded?
Open File Explorer and look at the status icon next to your files in the OneDrive folder. A solid green circle with a white checkmark indicates the file is fully downloaded and permanently available offline.
Can I reinstall OneDrive later if I need cloud syncing again?
Yes. If you decide you want to use cloud storage again in the future, you can download the OneDrive app from the official Microsoft website or the Microsoft Store, sign back into your account, and resume syncing.
