Office Settings & Configuration

How to Disable OneDrive Saving Locations in Microsoft Office

Nimra Malik Sep 30, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent Microsoft Office from displaying OneDrive and SharePoint as default locations for saving documents.

How to Disable OneDrive Saving Locations in Microsoft Office

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to completely remove cloud saving locations from Office after the OneDrive desktop client has been uninstalled.
Observed behavior: Office continues to show OneDrive and SharePoint save locations because they are controlled by Office policies rather than the desktop application.

Before you start

Modifying the Windows Registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. It is highly recommended to create a backup of your registry or set a system restore point before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Cloud Storage via Registry Editor

Modify the Windows Registry to block Office from accessing OneDrive and SharePoint saving locations.

This method involves adding a specific policy key to the Windows Registry that tells Microsoft Office to hide cloud storage options.

Open Registry Editor

Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type 'regedit', and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the Office Policies Key

Go to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\Internet. If any of these folders do not exist, right-click the parent folder, select New > Key, and create them.

Create the OnlineStorage Value

Right-click inside the Internet folder, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it 'OnlineStorage'.

Modify the Value Data

Double-click the newly created 'OnlineStorage' value and set its Value data to 3. This specific value disables SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and OneDrive Personal locations.

Restart Microsoft Office

Close the Registry Editor and restart any open Microsoft Office applications for the changes to take effect.

Disable Cloud Storage via Registry Editor

Verification: Once applied, clicking 'Save As' in Office will no longer display OneDrive or SharePoint as available locations.

Solution 2

Use Group Policy Editor (For IT Administrators)

Deploy a restriction across the system using Group Policy if you cannot or prefer not to edit the registry manually.

Solution 3

Retrieve Existing Cloud Files via Web Browser

Access files that were already saved to OneDrive before disabling the cloud storage locations in Office.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Local-First Saving Experience

If you prefer an office suite that doesn't force cloud integration and respects your local storage preferences by default, WPS Office is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open Your Files: Double-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open them directly in WPS Office, with all original formatting preserved.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive still appear in Office after I uninstalled the desktop client?

Microsoft Office has built-in integration with OneDrive and SharePoint that operates independently of the Windows desktop client. These locations are controlled by internal Office settings and policies rather than the OneDrive application itself.

What does setting the OnlineStorage registry value to 3 do?

Setting the OnlineStorage DWORD value to 3 disables SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and OneDrive Personal locations simultaneously within the Save As menu in all Microsoft Office applications.

Can I still open my cloud files after making this registry change?

Yes, you can still access your previously uploaded files by logging into OneDrive via a web browser, downloading them to your local hard drive, and then opening those local copies in Office.

Will this registry change affect my Microsoft Office activation?

No, changing the save locations via the Registry or Group Policy only affects where files can be saved and opened from within the application. It does not impact your Microsoft Office license or activation status.

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