Remove OneDrive from startup
Overview
This script improves your privacy on Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
OneDrive starts on every boot in both Windows 10 and 11 by default.
It's started through OneDrive
REG_SZ
entry in HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
1.
It is found on both Windows 10 (since 21H2, missing in 20H2) and Windows 11 (since 23H2).
The startup command is "<local-app-data>\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe" /background
1.
This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
This script is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.
Implementation Details
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Language: batch
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Required Privileges: Administrator rights
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Compatibility: Windows only
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Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script
Explore Categories
- Remove OneDrive
- Remove bloatware
This action belongs to Remove OneDrive category. Microsoft OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) is a file hosting service operated by Microsoft. First launched in August 2007, it enables registered users to share and synchronize their files. Data stored on OneDrive is subject to monitoring by Microsoft. There's been reports of Microsoft accessing and... Read more on category page ▶
This action belongs to Remove bloatware category. This category configures Windows using 215 scripts. These scripts are organized in 35 categories. The category includes 1 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶
Apply now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
- Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.
Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.
privacy.sexy instructions
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the script name:
Remove OneDrive from startup
. - Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.
Alternative 2. Download
This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.
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Download the script file by clicking on the button below:
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Run the script file by clicking on it.
Download revert script
This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.
Alternative 3. Copy
This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
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Click on Start menu
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Type cmd
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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Click on Yes to run Command Prompt
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Copy the following code:
:: Delete the registry value "OneDrive" from the key "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$keyName = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run'; $valueName = 'OneDrive'; $hive = $keyName.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($keyName.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing the registry value '$valueName' from '$path'."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry key does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $existingValueNames = (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path).PSObject.Properties.Name; if (-Not ($existingValueNames -Contains $valueName)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry value does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; try { if ($valueName -ieq '(default)') { Write-Host 'Removing the default value.'; $(Get-Item -LiteralPath $path).OpenSubKey('', $true).DeleteValue(''); } else { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName -Force -ErrorAction Stop; }; Write-Host 'Successfully removed the registry value.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
- Right click on command prompt to paste it.
- Press Enter to apply remaining code.
Copy restore code
Copy and run the following code to restore changes:
:: Restore the registry value "OneDrive" in key "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" to its original value
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$data = '"^""%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDrive.exe"^"" /background'; $rawType = 'REG_SZ'; $rawPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run'; $value = 'OneDrive'; $hive = $rawPath.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($rawPath.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Restoring value '$value' at '$path' with type '$rawType' and value '$data'."^""; if (-Not $rawType) { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: Data type is not provided for data '$data'."^""; }; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { try { New-Item -Path $path -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host 'Successfully created registry key.'; } catch { throw "^""Failed to create registry key: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $value -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $value; if ($currentData -eq $data) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no changes required, the registry data is already as expected.'; Exit 0; }; try { $type = switch ($rawType) { 'REG_SZ' { 'String' }; 'REG_DWORD' { 'DWord' }; 'REG_QWORD' { 'QWord' }; 'REG_EXPAND_SZ' { 'ExpandString' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: Failed to find data type for: '$rawType'."^""; }; }; Set-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $value -Value $data -Type $type -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Successfully restored the registry value.'; } catch { throw "^""Failed to restore the value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
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