How to Remove the OneDrive Icon from File Explorer in Windows 11

Step 1. Unlink the OneDrive Account

If you are currently using OneDrive, make sure to unlink your account from your PC first and then quit the app by following the steps below:

• Right-click on the OneDrive icon on your taskbar.

• Click on the gear button on the top-right corner to open the OneDrive Settings window.

• Switch to the Account tab and select Unlink this PC from it.

• Click on the gear button again and choose Quit OneDrive.

Step 2. Delete OneDrive key in Registry Editor

Then, you will need to delete the OneDrive key in the Registry Editor. It is essential to back up your full Windows registry before proceeding.

• Press the Windows + R key.

• Enter “regedit” in the Run dialog box.

• Navigate to the following key in the Registry Editor.

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

• Find the OneDrive key by checking the data of each key under NameSpace. Here is what my OneDrive key looks like, yours should also look similar to this one:

{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}

• Right-click on the OneDrive key and select Delete.

Step 3. Restart the PC & Check in File Explorer

Finally, for the changes to take effect, close the Registry Editor, and then restart your PC or simply restart the File Explorer.

After this, you should find that the OneDrive folder and its icon on the navigation pane in File Explorer are gone, allowing you to enjoy a much cleaner and clutter-free File Explorer.