Sign-in & Login Problems

How to Stop OneDrive Remembering Your Password After Unlinking a PC

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to permanently remove their Microsoft account credentials from a PC after unlinking OneDrive, ensuring the account is no longer visible or auto-logged in on a public or shared device.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Unlinking OneDrive on a shared or public computer and needing to secure the account by thoroughly removing saved passwords.
Observed behavior: The Microsoft account and password remain visible or remembered by the Windows system even after signing out and unlinking the OneDrive application.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on the PC and create a system backup or registry backup before making advanced changes to system cache folders.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Microsoft Account from Windows Settings

This is the primary and safest method to remove your cached Microsoft account credentials from Windows.

Open Windows Settings

Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings application.

Navigate to Accounts

Click on 'Accounts' and then select 'Email & accounts' from the left-hand menu pane.

Remove the Account

Locate your Microsoft account in the list, click on it to expand the options, and select 'Remove' to delete the credentials from the PC.

Account Removed: This will stop Windows from automatically signing you into OneDrive and other Microsoft applications on this device.

Solution 2

Clear OneAuth and IdentityCache Folders

Use this method if the account still appears after removal from settings, as it clears the underlying Office and Microsoft identity caches.

Solution 3

Remove the Office Identity Registry Key

For advanced users: editing the Windows Registry ensures that all backend traces of the Office and OneDrive login identity are completely wiped.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Secure, Independent Document Management

If you are tired of dealing with complex Microsoft account syncing and lingering credentials on shared devices, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly experience without heavy background syncing overhead.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the WPS Office website to download the free, lightweight installer.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
3. Edit Securely: Open WPS Office and enjoy document editing without worrying about forced background identity syncing.

Completely free to use for daily document editing and creation.Highly compatible with all Microsoft Office formats including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.Independent cloud storage options without forced Windows system account integration.Lightweight installation that protects your privacy on shared devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive still show my email after I unlink this PC?

Windows caches Microsoft account credentials in the 'Email & accounts' settings to make future logins faster across all Microsoft apps. Unlinking OneDrive only disconnects the cloud sync; you must manually remove the account from Windows Settings to stop it from appearing.

Will deleting the IdentityCache folder delete my OneDrive files?

No, deleting the OneAuth and IdentityCache folders only removes temporary background sign-in tokens. Your actual files stored in the cloud or downloaded to your local drive will remain completely intact.

How do I ensure my files are safe on a public computer?

Always unlink your OneDrive, remove your Microsoft account from the 'Email & accounts' settings, clear your browser data, and sign out of the Windows profile entirely before leaving a public or shared computer.

What should I do before editing the Windows Registry?

Always create a backup of the registry or create a Windows System Restore point. This ensures you can easily revert the changes if deleting the Office Identity key causes any unexpected system behavior.

Login & Account Issues