OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive High CPU and Memory Usage on Windows

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing severe system slowdowns because the OneDrive application is consuming an excessive amount of CPU and memory resources.

How to Fix OneDrive High CPU and Memory Usage on Windows

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Running the Windows operating system with OneDrive syncing or operating in the background.
Observed behavior: OneDrive utilizes an abnormally high amount of CPU and memory, causing the computer to freeze, lag, and become nearly unusable.

Before you start

Before resetting OneDrive, verify whether large file synchronizations are currently in progress, and pause any manual uploads to ensure the reset process goes smoothly.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset OneDrive via the Windows Run Command

Resetting the OneDrive application clears its cache and resolves configuration bugs causing high resource usage, completely refreshing the sync engine.

High CPU and memory usage in OneDrive is frequently caused by a corrupted sync cache or a file stuck in a synchronization loop. Running the built-in reset command forces the application to rebuild its configuration without modifying your actual stored files.

Open the Run dialog

Press the Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Windows Run dialog box.

Execute the primary reset command

In the Run window, type or paste the following command and press Enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe /reset

Use alternative paths if the file is not found

If Windows displays an error stating it cannot find the file, open the Run dialog again and try entering: C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset. If that also fails, use the 32-bit path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.

Restart the OneDrive application

Open the Windows Start menu, search for 'OneDrive', and click on the application to start it again. You may be prompted to sign in to your Microsoft account to resume syncing.

Reset OneDrive via the Windows Run Command

Your Files Are Safe: Resetting OneDrive only resets the application settings and sync cache. It will not delete any of your synced personal data, files, or folders.

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If background processes from Microsoft 365 or OneDrive are continuously slowing down your PC, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly efficient, resource-friendly alternative with built-in cloud storage that will not bottleneck your CPU or memory.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting OneDrive delete my personal files?

No, executing the OneDrive reset command only resets the application's configuration and cache. All your files stored locally on your hard drive and in the cloud remain completely safe and untouched.

Why does OneDrive suddenly use so much CPU and memory?

High resource usage usually occurs when the OneDrive application gets stuck in an infinite sync loop, processes a massive batch of small files simultaneously, or struggles with corrupted local configuration data.

What should I do if Windows cannot find the OneDrive.exe file during reset?

Depending on how Office was installed, the OneDrive executable might be in a different directory. If the %localappdata% path fails, you should try the alternative paths: C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset or C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset.

Can I completely uninstall OneDrive to prevent it from slowing down my PC?

If you are using the retail version of Microsoft 365, OneDrive is deeply integrated as a core component and cannot be fully removed. However, you can unlink your account or disable it from launching at startup via the Task Manager to prevent background resource consumption.

Document & File Issues