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Remove OneDrive user data and synced folders

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script deletes the OneDrive directory and all stored data from your profile.

OneDrive usually saves your data in the %USERPROFILE%\OneDrive directory 1 2, also known as the OneDrive folder or OneDrive root directory 2. By default, OneDrive stores user data in folder called OneDrive 1. For multiple accounts, files may be in OneDrive - Personal or OneDrive - CompanyName folders 1 3.

OneDrive can synchronize default Windows folders like Documents, Pictures, Music, and Desktop 4 5 6 7. These folders are known as user shell folders 6 or Windows system folders 7. Upon synchronization, these folders are moved within the OneDrive user data directory 5 8.

Users may enable this synchronization unknowingly during Windows setup by choosing Save files to OneDrive option 9 10. Alternatively, synchronization can be enabled later through OneDrive settings 4. OneDrive may also prompt users to set up protection of important folders 11, a feature also referred to as protect your folders or Known Folder Move (KFM) 11. Additionally, an organization may move files of their managed computers to OneDrive using methods such as the Windows Folder Redirection Group Policy 8.

This script contains safeguards to protect against unintended consequences:

  1. System Integrity Protection:

    The script verifies if any user shell folders are linked to the OneDrive directory. This is crucial as redirecting these folders to OneDrive can cause system integrity issues. For instance, if the Desktop folder is redirected to OneDrive, deleting the OneDrive folder could make the Desktop inaccessible. The script stops and warns if any user shell folders are found within OneDrive.

    💡 Move these folders back to their original locations using the HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders registry key 6 before proceeding.

  2. Data Loss Prevention:

    The script avoids deleting files or non-empty directories to prevent accidental data loss.

    💡 Manually empty these directories before running the script or opt to delete them afterward if needed.

The OneDrive folder has been confirmed to exist in modern versions of Windows, tested since Windows 11 (since 22H2) and Windows 10 (since 22H2).

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Use with Caution

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

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Some changes may be permanent

Explore Categories​

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 ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. 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.

Open privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Remove OneDrive user data and synced folders.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Reversible

This script is reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Delete directory  : "%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive*"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""$($directoryGlob = '%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive*'; if (-Not $directoryGlob.EndsWith('\')) { $directoryGlob += '\' }; $directoryGlob )"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $deletedCount = 0; $failedCount = 0; $oneDriveUserFolderPattern = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables('%USERPROFILE%\OneDrive') + '*'; while ($true) { <# Loop to control the execution of the subsequent code #>; try { $userShellFoldersRegistryPath = 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders'; if (-not (Test-Path $userShellFoldersRegistryPath)) { Write-Output "^""Skipping verification: The registry path for user shell folders is missing: `"^""$userShellFoldersRegistryPath`"^"""^""; break; }; $userShellFoldersRegistryKeys = Get-ItemProperty -Path $userShellFoldersRegistryPath; $userShellFoldersEntries = @($userShellFoldersRegistryKeys.PSObject.Properties); if ($userShellFoldersEntries.Count -eq 0) { Write-Warning "^""Skipping verification: No entries found for user shell folders in the registry: `"^""$userShellFoldersRegistryPath`"^"""^""; break; }; Write-Output "^""Initiating verification: Checking if any of the ${userShellFoldersEntries.Count} user shell folders point to the OneDrive user folder pattern ($oneDriveUserFolderPattern)."^""; $userShellFoldersInOneDrive = @(); foreach ($registryEntry in $userShellFoldersEntries) { $userShellFolderName = $registryEntry.Name; $userShellFolderPath = $registryEntry.Value; if (!$userShellFolderPath) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: The user shell folder `"^""$userShellFolderName`"^"" does not have a defined path."^""; continue; }; $expandedUserShellFolderPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($userShellFolderPath); if(-not ($expandedUserShellFolderPath -like $oneDriveUserFolderPattern)) { continue; }; $userShellFoldersInOneDrive += [PSCustomObject]@{ Name = $userShellFolderName;  Path = $expandedUserShellFolderPath }; }; if ($userShellFoldersInOneDrive.Count -gt 0) { $warningMessage = 'To keep your computer running smoothly, OneDrive user folder will not be deleted.'; $warningMessage += "^""`nIt's being used by the OS as a user shell directory for the following folders:"^""; $userShellFoldersInOneDrive.ForEach( { $warningMessage += "^""`n- $($_.Name): $($_.Path)"^""; }); Write-Warning $warningMessage; exit 0; }; Write-Output "^""Successfully verified that none of the $($userShellFoldersEntries.Count) user shell folders point to the OneDrive user folder pattern."^""; break; } catch { Write-Warning "^""An error occurred during verification of user shell folders. Skipping prevent potential issues. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; exit 0; }; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); Write-Host 'Iterating files and directories recursively.'; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-ChildItem -Path $expandedPath -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { try { if (Test-Path -Path $path -PathType Leaf) { Write-Warning "^""Retaining file `"^""$path`"^"" to safeguard your data."^""; continue; } elseif (Test-Path -Path $path -PathType Container) { if ((Get-ChildItem "^""$path"^"" -Recurse | Measure-Object).Count -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Preserving non-empty folder `"^""$path`"^"" to protect your files."^""; continue; }; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""An error occurred while processing `"^""$path`"^"". Skipping to protect your data. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; continue; }; if (-not (Test-Path $path)) { <# Re-check existence as prior deletions might remove subsequent items (e.g., subdirectories). #>; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path) (already deleted)."^""; $deletedCount++; continue; }; try { Remove-Item -Path $path -Force -Recurse -ErrorAction Stop; $deletedCount++; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted: $($path)"^""; } catch { $failedCount++; Write-Warning "^""Unable to delete $($path): $_"^""; }; }; Write-Host "^""Successfully deleted $($deletedCount) items."^""; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to delete $($failedCount) items."^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

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