OneDrive - what is this program? How to disable, how to delete the cloud OneDrive?

Probably, it is not necessary to say that the developer of Windows operating systems - Microsoft Corporation - is trying to constantly improve its software products. So many users, since versions of OS 8 and 8.1, have encountered the OneDrive service. What is it is now and will be considered. Moreover, many people know this service on previous versions of Windows, there it was called somewhat differently.

OneDrive: what is it?

So, first, let's see what the service (or service, if you want) represents. To understand the interpretation of OneDrive (what kind of program is it), one should have at least a superficial idea of the so-called "cloud vaults" that are gaining popularity recently. But in fact, in fact, OneDrive is so.

However, unlike other similar services, this service has a number of quite interesting features. But first things first.

History of origin and development

In general, the "cloud" OneDrive as an independent service appeared in February 2014 after the renaming of almost similar service SkyDrive (it was launched back in 2007), which initially belonged to the spectrum of online services provided to users of Windows operating systems by Microsoft Corporation, The name of Windows Live.

What is most interesting, the renaming of the service was just the result of a lawsuit by British company British Sky Broadcasting Group. But he himself remained virtually unchanged in terms of functionality.

Key features of OneDrive

Now, more about OneDrive. What is this program, and what is it for? As mentioned above, this is exactly the "cloud storage", which on a remote server provided previously users with systems, starting with Vista, 7 GB of free storage space for files, then, however, the volume was reduced to 1 GB.

But a little bit later, users could access 15 GB on a remote server, and registered users of the G-8 (those that have a Microsoft account and use official system update packages) - 25 GB. To date, to store personal information after registration is available 50 GB. And, as claimed, this is not the limit.

The fact that you can buy the right place, paying for its use a certain amount. In this respect, Microsoft did not change its principles. However, this situation is now observed with almost all the "cloud" services, which first provide users with a minimum amount of space on the remote server, and then, with a lack of space, offer to pay for its increase. However, here there is a question of expediency of purchase, especially if the user uses service only for work with office documents or pictures. Naturally, if you put a video (and even the highest resolution), there certainly is not enough room. However, this is the problem of each specific user.

Storage of information and work with documents

As for the basic functionality, the OneDrive storage, as well as any other service of this type, allows uploading files of any type to the remote server (this is not surprising to anyone right now).

But here's what really pleases users who use this service on a daily basis, the procedure for uploading files to the server, again, as compared to the rest of the repositories (if the corresponding client is not installed) is simplified as much as possible. The fact is that OneDrive's own client is already integrated into the system, more precisely - to the standard "Windows Explorer". As you can see, you can simply copy or drag the necessary objects into the service area in the "Explorer". Downloading will happen almost instantly (of course, provided the connection to the Internet is uninterrupted).

Moreover, the very "cloud" OneDrive has a number of other interesting functions. It turns out, using this service, you can not only exchange office documents between users who are connected to the service and have access to certain folders. With support for Office Web Apps, you can view most of the known formats corresponding to office programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) directly with the OneDrive application. In addition, there is support for viewing PDF and ODF documents, although, unfortunately, the function of their search is completely absent.

An equally interesting opportunity can be called the creation of office documents online. In this case, if the OneDrive folder has a shared attribute for several users, editing of such documents can be made by all users.

Separately, it should be noted the synchronization of the Hotmail mail service and the search engine Bing. In the second case, you can even save the Bing search history in the repository.

Synchronization with operating systems other than stationary versions of Windows

Now as for another, no less interesting side of OneDrive. What is it in terms of synchronization with other systems is easy to understand if you take into account the fact that access to the storage can be obtained even from mobile systems Android, iOS, MeeGo, Symbian and, of course, with Windows Phone, not counting full support Access even with Xbox consoles.

The only thing that will be required is the installation of a special client, the presence of an Internet connection at the time of access and logging in using your own login and password. It is thanks to this approach that Microsoft has managed to significantly increase the number of users of the "cloud".

However, not all owners of fixed Windows systems like the use of this service. Firstly, it constantly hangs at startup and even with the disabled service synchronizes files and folders with the repository. And secondly, and the disk space from this is clearly decreasing. That's why a legitimate question arises: how to disable OneDrive in the system? About the removal of the program while it does not go, although it can be done.

How to disable OneDrive in Windows by editing Group Policy

As for disabling this service, you can use several basic methods. Each of them acts in general the same way, but first of all, we'll stop using the editing of Group Policy settings. For example, take Windows 8, although in the same "top ten" the actions will be absolutely identical.

To do this, use the command gpedit.msc in the "Run" menu or we call the computer configuration from the main menu, where in the root settings we first go to the administrative templates, and then - to the system components. There simply selects the OneDrive section. When you open the settings, a window appears in which you must select the prohibition to save files in the "cloud", and then confirm your choice.

Disabling OneDrive through the system registry

Now let's see how to disable OneDrive using the registry. This is done just as simply. First we get access to the editor using the regedit command, entered either in the "Run" menu, or by calling it via the Win + R keys.

Next, you need to go to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE branch, through the Software section, to the Policies subfolder, where through the settings of Microsoft, and then Windows get to SkyDrive.

Now at the end on the right, we use PCM (right click) and create the DWORD parameter, call it DisableFileSync, open and set the value to "1". It remains to exit the Registry Editor and reboot the system.

Reset settings directly to OneDrive

In order not to dig into the system settings, and even more so in the system registry, you can do even easier.

Enter the computer settings, select the OneDrive partition, and then go directly to the file store. There is a line for saving documents by default. Just put the switch in the off position, that's all.

How to remove a program for cloud storage, and whether it should be done?

Many users have a simple shutdown is not enough. Let's see how to uninstall OneDrive. But immediately it is necessary to say that this service is not subject to restoration. You can install it again only if you reinstall Windows. It is recommended to use removal actions only if the service on the local computer is not really used or is simply not needed.

So, how do I uninstall OneDrive? It is not so easy to do, but it is possible. First you need to terminate the process, not from the Task Manager, but from the command line, where you enter the combination taskkill / f / im OneDrive.exe. Now, if there is a 32-bit system, use% SystemRoot% \ System32 \ OneDriveSetup.exe / uninstall from the same command line, and for systems with 64-bit architecture -% SystemRoot% \ SysWOW64 \ OneDriveSetup.exe / uninstall. After that, we overload the terminal, and the storage problem disappears.

You can also delete the directory with the files to clear the disk space. The OneDrive folder is by default located under C: \ Users \, where the address is followed by the user name and the OneDrive subkey. To do this, by the way, it is possible and at simple disconnect of service, at all without using its full removal.

Conclusion

Here, in fact, and all the basic information regarding the service OneDrive. What is it, we have more or less figured out. In general opportunities and functions, too, I think everything is clear. But here in the issue of disabling or removing the service - it is still recommended to disable it, and not to delete it. But is there not a lot of what can happen when you need fast access to the "cloud storage", and with the least amount of time?

So think a hundred times before making a final decision, because you can restore the service in only one way - a complete reinstallation of the system. And no kickbacks to the checkpoint here will not help. On the other hand, if you are using any official client for access not from Windows, but from some other device, to keep this service on your computer, in general, you do not need it.