How to Unlink a PC from OneDrive

How to Unlink a PC from OneDrive

 

IT HELPDESK GUIDE

How to Unlink a PC from OneDrive

SharePoint Document Library Sync — Stop Sync & Delete Local Data

Platform

Windows 11

Environment

Microsoft 365 Business / Enterprise

Audience

IT Team / Helpdesk Staff

Version

OneDrive Sync Client — 2026

Last Updated

May 2026

Source

Microsoft Support & Microsoft Learn

1.  Purpose & Scope

This guide provides IT helpdesk staff with clear, step-by-step instructions to unlink a Windows 11 PC from a Microsoft 365 Business/Enterprise SharePoint document library that was previously synced via the OneDrive sync client. The process covers two sequential actions:

•       Stop (unlink) the sync between the PC and the SharePoint document library.

•       Delete the local synced folder and all its contents from the PC to free disk space and avoid confusion.

This guide does NOT cover re-linking a library, personal OneDrive sync, or SharePoint On-Premises environments.

2.  Critical Warning Before You Begin

⚠  WARNING — READ BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION

Because of OneDrive's two-way sync, deleting or modifying any file in the locally synced folder WHILE THE LIBRARY IS STILL LINKED will immediately delete or modify that same file in SharePoint Online — potentially affecting ALL users of that library.

You MUST complete the unlink step (Section 4 or 5) BEFORE deleting any local files. Never skip straight to deleting the folder in File Explorer.

3.  Prerequisites

Before starting, confirm all of the following on the target device:

 

Prerequisite

How to Verify

OneDrive sync client is installed and running

Look for the OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows 11 taskbar system tray (bottom-right). If not visible, click the up-arrow (˄) to expand hidden icons.

The SharePoint library is currently linked to this PC

Open File Explorer. Under the organisation name in the left-hand panel, confirm the SharePoint library folder is listed.

You have local access to the device

You are logged in as the user whose sync is being removed, or have admin rights on the device.

All users’ work is saved to SharePoint Online

Verify any offline-only file edits have been synced (no pending sync errors shown in OneDrive).

4.  Method 1 — Unlink via OneDrive Settings (Recommended)

This is the safest and most straightforward method for helpdesk staff. It uses the OneDrive sync client interface built into Windows 11.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1.    Locate the OneDrive icon in the system tray.

Look at the bottom-right of the taskbar. Click the up-arrow (^) to expand hidden icons if needed. Identify the white or blue cloud icon labelled OneDrive. (Note: if two cloud icons appear, select the one for your work/school account.)

2.    Open OneDrive Settings.

Left-click the OneDrive cloud icon to open the sync status pop-up. Click the gear icon (⚙) or Help & Settings, then select Settings from the drop-down.

3.    Navigate to the Account tab.

In the OneDrive Settings window, click the Account tab at the top.

4.    Locate the SharePoint library.

Under Choose folders, you will see a list of synced locations. Identify the SharePoint document library that needs to be unlinked. It is typically listed under the organisation or site name.

5.    Click “Stop sync”.

Next to the SharePoint library entry, click Stop sync. A confirmation dialogue will appear.

6.    Confirm the action.

Click Stop sync again in the confirmation pop-up to finalise. Do not click Cancel.

7.    Verify removal from File Explorer.

Open File Explorer (Windows key + E). Confirm that the SharePoint library folder no longer appears in the left-hand panel under the organisation name. The unlink is complete.

ℹ  NOTE

Stopping sync removes the connection only. The folder and its files may still physically exist on the PC until you complete Section 6 (Delete the Local Folder).

5.  Delete the Local Synced Folder

Once sync has been fully stopped (via Method 1 or Method 2 above), the local folder and all its contents can be safely deleted from the PC. This step frees disk space and removes any local copies that could cause confusion.

⚠  IMPORTANT — Only proceed if sync has been confirmed stopped

Do not delete the folder if the library is still linked. If you are unsure,

open OneDrive Settings > Account and verify the library no longer appears

in the synced list before continuing.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1.    Open File Explorer.

Press Windows key + E.

2.    Navigate to the former synced folder.

The folder is typically located at: C:\Users\[Username]\[OrganisationName]\[LibraryName]   or it may appear at the root of the user’s OneDrive folder. Browse to its location.

3.    Select the folder.

Click once on the folder to select it.

4.    Delete the folder.

Press the Delete key, or right-click and select Delete. Confirm the deletion prompt if it appears.

5.    Empty the Recycle Bin.

Right-click the Recycle Bin on the desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin. Confirm when prompted. This permanently removes the files from the PC and fully frees disk space.

8.  Verification Steps

After completing the unlink and deletion, perform the following checks to confirm the process was successful.

8.1  Verify the Library Is No Longer Synced on the PC

1.    Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray.

2.    Open Settings > Account.

3.    Confirm the SharePoint library no longer appears in the synced locations list.

4.    Open File Explorer and confirm the library folder no longer appears in the left-hand panel.

 

ℹ  CONFIRMATION OF EXPECTED BEHAVIOUR

Unsyncing the library only removes the local connection. All files remain fully stored and accessible in SharePoint Online via the browser or the SharePoint mobile app. No data is lost in SharePoint when sync is stopped correctly.

9.  Important Notes & Reminders

 

Note

Detail

Per-device action only

Unsyncing on one PC does not affect sync on any other user’s device. Each device must be individually unlinked.

Entire library only

It is not possible to stop sync for individual folders within a library. The entire document library must be unlinked as a unit.

Files remain in SharePoint

All files remain safely stored in SharePoint Online and can be accessed via the browser at any time after unlinking.

Two-way sync risk

Any deletion made locally while still linked is immediately applied in SharePoint. Always unlink BEFORE deleting local files.

OneDrive client stays installed

This process does not remove or uninstall the OneDrive sync client. OneDrive continues to run for other synced locations (e.g., personal OneDrive).

Re-linking is possible

To re-sync the same library in the future, navigate to the library in SharePoint Online via a browser and click the Sync button.


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