Although cloud computing and, more specifically, cloud storage have various practical applications, we do not always need them. Regardless of your reason to unlink OneDrive, you should know its effects. In particular, you should be aware of how unlinking OneDrive will affect your files.
Below I will answer your question regarding OneDrive files being deleted after you unlink your PC:
Files are preserved post unlink; hence, your files will still be accessible via OneDrive. However, your files will no longer be accessible via your unlinked device. Similarly, OneDrive will not sync files set to stay on your device with the cloud copy.
If you’d like to access your files locally (post-unlink), create a copy of your documents outside of your OneDrive folder.
In today’s post, I will be elaborating on (and demonstrating) what happens to our files when we unlink our OneDrive. I’ll also provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide on unlinking OneDrive from your PC. Our step-by-step guides feature several visual aids to better support your understanding of each step.
Below is a list detailing each of this post’s topics. Click a link to access a topic of interest quickly:
- File syncing, deleting, and availability after unlinking OneDrive
- How to unlink OneDrive from a PC
- How to unlink OneDrive from a Mac
- Blog post recap
File syncing, deletion, and availability after unlinking OneDrive
When a device is linked to OneDrive, its files may be accessed and altered via the linked device— this is achieved via syncing. If a device is unliked from a OneDrive account, the typical syncing and accessibility behavior will be affected.
Such changes will not be present on devices that remain linked.
Will OneDrive delete my files?
No. Although it may appear your files have gone, that’s not the case— the reality is more comforting. You no longer see your OneDrive folder as a direct result of unlinking. However, the folder (and its contents) still exist, albeit they can only be accessed via OneDrive directly or indirectly via a linked device.
You can keep your files accessible by storing local copies; however, locally stored files are unlikely to be synced by OneDrive— this is especially true on an unlinked device.
Can I sync files set to always stay on my PC?
No. Due to the purpose and functionality of syncing, this would be counterproductive (and challenging). Syncing aims to maintain a consistent instance of a file across each device linked to OneDrive. Take a to-do list; if I add three items to the list on my computer, OneDrive will apply the change across every linked device.
Unlinking a device from OneDrive equates to declining its files from being synced on the said device.
How to unlink OneDrive from a PC
I have provided an in-depth, step-by-step guide below to aid you in unlinking your device from OneDrive. If you’re unsure about a step, refer to the attached images. They have been edited to promote a more indicative visual context regarding what you need to do.
If you encounter an issue you cannot fathom a solution for, leave a comment describing your predicament— we’ll try our best to help you out.
Step 1 — Open the OneDrive options menu
First off, click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar. If you’re using a OneDrive personal account, you will need to click the blue cloud icon; OneDrive business users should click the white cloud icon. After clicking either icon, you will access the OneDrive widget. Click the cog icon in the top right corner of the widget.
Step 2 — Access OneDrive’s settings window
In the options dropdown, you will find several buttons; you need only worry about one— the “Settings” button. Click the option; the widget will be closed, and Windows will open a new window in its place.
Step 3 — Use the unlink prompt
The Microsoft OneDrive settings window features several tabs with varying options: the account tab contains options to add accounts, link, and unlink PCs. Click the “Account” tab to access it, then select “Unlink this PC” under the “OneDrive – Personal” category.
Step 4 — Confirm your choice
Due to the nature of your attempted action, you will need to confirm your choice in unlinking your account. Fortunately, the process is simple— select “Unlink account.”
How to unlink OneDrive from a Mac
Step 1 — Open the OneDrive options menu
First off, click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar. You can identify the icon as a black cloud. After clicking the icon, you will access the OneDrive widget. Click the cog icon in the top right corner of the widget.
Step 2 — Access OneDrive’s settings window
In the options dropdown, you will find several buttons; you need only worry about one— the “Preferences” button. Click the option; the widget will be closed, and Windows will open a new window in its place.
Step 3 — Use the unlink prompt
The Microsoft OneDrive settings window features several tabs with varying options: the account tab contains options to add accounts, link, and unlink PCs. Click the “Account” tab to access it, then select “Unlink this PC” under the “OneDrive – Personal” category.
Step 4 — Confirm your choice
Due to the nature of your attempted action, you will need to confirm your choice in unlinking your account. Fortunately, the process is simple— select “Unlink account.”
Blog post recap
Unlinking a OneDrive file will not trigger its contents’ deletion; however, the content will not be accessible on the unlinked device. Instead, your content will have to be accessed indirectly via a separate linked device. Alternatively, you could access your files via OneDrive directly. You may notice that OneDrive will no longer sync OneDrive files remaining on your device due to your device being unlinked.
If you found today’s post helpful, consider checking out the rest of our content. Below are several related posts you may find interesting.
- How to get notified for SharePoint permission changes — Did you know that your SharePoint site’s associated documents are stored with OneDrive? These OneDrive documents are susceptible to the actions of site members. You should consider being notified about permission changes that alter how site members can interact with your site and its content.
- How to unsync OneDrive without deleting files from this PC — Although OneDrive files seemingly vanish after unlinking a PC, they have not been deleted, as you may think. If you’d like to learn more, consider giving the above post a read
- How to stop OneDrive syncing the documents folder — Whether you’re a first-time user or OneDrive pro, you’re bound to have noticed the infamous “Documents” folder. In this post, we will be exploring how we can stop the documents folder from being synced.
- Why OneDrive keeps renaming files — On occasion, you may find your OneDrive files’ names’ are altered. Automated file name changes can occur for several reasons— each of which we will be exploring in this post. If you’d like to learn why this problem occurs and how you can resolve it, please read the following post.