OneDrive File Issues

How to Remove an Old SharePoint or OneDrive Location from File Explorer

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a former employer's SharePoint or OneDrive sync location from Windows File Explorer after their employment ends.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Employment has ended, and the user wants to clean up obsolete company cloud storage folders lingering in the local File Explorer.
Observed behavior: A former company's OneDrive account and SharePoint sync locations remain visible in File Explorer even after the account access has ended.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator privileges on your computer, and if you plan to use the Registry cleanup method, back up your Windows Registry first to prevent accidental system issues.

Solution 1Recommended

Stop Syncing and Unlink the Account via OneDrive Settings

This is the standard and safest method to remove old OneDrive and SharePoint locations by disconnecting the account directly through the application's settings.

By stopping the synchronization and unlinking the previous account from your PC, Windows should automatically remove the related shortcuts from the File Explorer navigation pane.

Open OneDrive Settings

Click on the OneDrive cloud icon located in your Windows taskbar notification area. Click the gear icon in the top right of the pop-up to open 'Help & Settings', then select 'Settings'.

Stop Syncing SharePoint Libraries

Navigate to the 'Account' tab in the settings menu. Look for any former SharePoint libraries listed and click the 'Stop sync' button next to them.

Unlink This PC

In the same 'Account' tab, click on the 'Unlink this PC' link to completely disconnect the previous OneDrive account from your computer.

Delete Local Copies

Open File Explorer and manually delete any remaining local copies of the folders. Since sync is stopped, this will not affect the server's cloud files.

Solution 2

Remove Leftover Locations using Registry Editor

Use this advanced method if the SharePoint or OneDrive icon stubbornly remains pinned in the File Explorer navigation pane even after unlinking the account.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my old company's SharePoint folder still show in File Explorer?

This usually happens because the folder's namespace shortcut remains registered within Windows File Explorer even after the cloud account is disconnected or disabled by your former employer. Unlinking the PC via OneDrive settings or removing the specific registry key will clear it.

Will unlinking my OneDrive account delete my local files?

No. Unlinking your account only stops the synchronization process. Any files that were previously downloaded or synced to your PC will remain safe on your local hard drive until you choose to manually delete them.

Is it safe to delete the leftover local copies of SharePoint files?

Yes. Once the account is properly unlinked and synchronization is stopped, deleting the local copies will only remove them from your personal computer's hard drive and will not affect the master files stored on your former company's cloud server.

How do I back up my registry before making changes?

Open the Registry Editor, click on 'File' in the top menu bar, and select 'Export'. Choose a safe location on your computer to store the file, ensure the 'Export range' at the bottom is set to 'All', and then click save.

Document & File Issues