Getting rid of OneDrive from File Explorer in Windows 11 might seem intimidating at first, but honestly, it’s not as complicated as some make it out to be. Mostly, it’s about digging into the registry and flipping a switch, but if you’re used to messing around with system settings, it’s doable. Just keep in mind: don’t go hacking the registry blindly. Always back it up first — because Windows has a way to make it harder than necessary if you’re not careful.
How to Remove OneDrive from File Explorer Windows 11
This process doesn’t uninstall OneDrive; it just hides it from your sidebar. The idea is to tidy things up without losing access to your files if you need them. So, here’s the plan:
Step 1: Fire up the Registry Editor
Press Windows + R, type regedit, hit Enter. When the User Account Control pops up, click “Yes” — and here’s where the caution kicks in. The registry controls a lot, so messing up can cause headaches. Always back it up first, just in case.
Step 2: Find the OneDrive Registry Key
In Registry Editor, go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}. If you’re lazy like me, just copy the path and paste it into the address bar in regedit. This path points straight to the OneDrive settings in the registry.
Step 3: Change the ‘System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree’ Value
Double-click System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree in that key. You’ll see a value set to 1 — that means it’s visible. Change it to 0. That little change is what makes OneDrive disappear from File Explorer. On some setups, this might require a quick reboot or just restarting File Explorer (which is faster).
Step 4: Restart File Explorer or Your PC
If you’re feeling confident, just restart File Explorer: open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Windows Explorer, right-click, then pick Restart. If that doesn’t do it, a quick reboot helps. Sometimes, it acts weird and requires more than one try to get the sidebar to refresh.
Step 5: Check if OneDrive is Gone
Open File Explorer and look at the sidebar. If everything went according to plan, OneDrive shouldn’t be there anymore. If it’s still hanging around, double-check your registry steps. Windows can be stubborn, and maybe the change didn’t save properly.
Note: Doing this won’t delete your files stored in OneDrive, just hides the icon from the sidebar. You can still access your documents via the app or web, no problem.
Tips for Removing OneDrive from File Explorer Windows 11
- Always back up the registry before messing with it. Better safe than sorry.
- If you want to bring OneDrive back, just revisit the registry and change
System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTreefrom 0 back to 1. - To speed up startup times, consider disabling OneDrive from auto-start via Task Manager > Startup tab.
- Hiding it doesn’t uninstall anything; OneDrive can run silently in the background. If you’re serious about removing it, you’d have to uninstall via Settings or PowerShell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why bother hiding OneDrive from File Explorer?
Sometimes, it’s just clutter — especially if you rarely use it. A cleaner sidebar makes navigation less annoying, especially when you’ve got a ton of drives and folders.
Is messing with the registry safe?
As long as you’re careful and back up first, it’s fine. But yeah, Windows doesn’t really make it straightforward, so proceed with caution. One wrong move, and you might be in for some weird bugs.
Can I still access files in OneDrive after hiding it?
Totally. The files are still there and synced, just not visible in File Explorer. Use the app or web interface if needed.
Will this break OneDrive’s sync?
Nope. Hiding it from File Explorer just removes the interface element. The syncing stays intact behind the scenes unless you actually uninstall it.
And if I want OneDrive back?
Just reverse the registry change: set System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree back to 1. Usually, a restart or closing and reopening File Explorer is enough to see it again.
Summary
- Open regedit with Windows + R, then type
regedit. - Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}.
- Change
System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTreefrom 1 to 0. - Restart File Explorer or reboot.
- Check that OneDrive is out of sight but still relaxed in the background.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. It’s not perfect, but it works enough to keep things tidy with minimal fuss.