Uninstall & Reinstall Issues

How to Stop OneDrive Sync and Switch to iCloud Drive

Huda Qurayshi Oct 7, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to stop Microsoft OneDrive from syncing files on their computer, unlink their account, and migrate their local files to Apple's iCloud Drive.

How to Stop OneDrive Sync and Use iCloud Drive Instead

Product: OneDrive, iCloud Drive
Device & OS: Windows, macOS
Scenario: Transitioning cloud storage services from Microsoft OneDrive to Apple iCloud Drive on a desktop or laptop computer.
Observed behavior: The user needs the correct steps to safely unlink their computer from OneDrive and transfer their files to iCloud Drive without accidentally deleting or losing their existing data.

Before you start

Ensure that your important files are fully downloaded to your local drive before unlinking OneDrive, and verify that your iCloud account has sufficient storage space to accommodate the new files.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink Your Account to Stop OneDrive Sync

The safest way to stop OneDrive from syncing your files is to unlink your computer from your Microsoft account.

Unlinking your computer disconnects the local OneDrive folder from the cloud. This stops all background syncing but leaves your currently downloaded files intact on your hard drive.

Unlink OneDrive on Windows

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area. Click the gear icon to open 'Help & Settings', navigate to the 'Account' tab, and select 'Unlink this PC'.

Unlink OneDrive on macOS

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your top menu bar. Open 'Preferences' (or Settings), go to the 'Account' tab, and click 'Unlink this Mac'.

Unlink Your Account to Stop OneDrive Sync

Data Safety: Unlinking your PC or Mac does not automatically delete files stored in your OneDrive online account. Your data remains safely backed up in the cloud.

Solution 2

Uninstall OneDrive and Migrate to iCloud Drive

Once syncing is stopped, you can remove the OneDrive application and transfer your local files to iCloud.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my files if I unlink or uninstall OneDrive?

No. Unlinking or uninstalling OneDrive simply severs the connection between your computer and the cloud. Your files remain safe in the cloud and any files previously downloaded will stay in your local OneDrive folder.

How do I check if I have enough iCloud storage before moving files?

On a Mac, go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud to see your storage breakdown. On Windows, open the iCloud app to view your available storage on the indicator bar at the bottom.

Can I have both OneDrive and iCloud Drive installed on the same computer?

Yes, both cloud storage clients can run simultaneously without interfering with each other, provided you have sufficient local hard drive space to store the synced files from both services.

Installation & Activation