How to Reset or Reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11

OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage solution, has become an essential tool for many users who need to store, access, and share files across devices. With the release of Windows 11, OneDrive has only become more tightly integrated into the operating system. However, like any software, OneDrive can sometimes run into issues, requiring users to reset or reinstall the app to fix problems or improve performance.

In this guide, we will provide you with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to reset or reinstall OneDrive in Windows 11.

Also see: How to Disable or Remove OneDrive From Windows 11

Why reset or reinstall OneDrive?

There are several reasons why you might need to reset or reinstall OneDrive on your Windows 11 device:

• Syncing issues: If your files aren’t syncing correctly, resetting or reinstalling OneDrive can often resolve the problem.
• Performance problems: If OneDrive is running slowly or consuming excessive system resources, resetting or reinstalling the app might help.
• Corrupted files or settings: If OneDrive’s files or settings have become corrupted, resetting or reinstalling can restore the app to its default state.
• Software conflicts: If you suspect that another program or process is causing issues with OneDrive, resetting or reinstalling might alleviate the conflict.

Resetting OneDrive in Windows 11

Resetting OneDrive will return the app to its default state, which can often resolve various issues you may be experiencing. There are two methods for resetting OneDrive: Run the reset OneDrive command in the Run dialog box or the Command Prompt.

Using the reset OneDrive command

Resetting OneDrive using the reset command is a simple and efficient way to return the app to its default state. Here’s how to execute the reset command using the Run dialog box:

1. Close OneDrive by right-clicking on the OneDrive icon in the system tray, clicking the Settings icon and selecting “Quit OneDrive.”
2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type or copy and paste the following command:

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

   

3. Press Enter to execute the command. OneDrive will close and reset itself. This process may take a few minutes.
4. After OneDrive has reset, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Reset OneDrive using Command Prompt

If you prefer using the Command Prompt to reset OneDrive, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Start menu and search for “Command Prompt”.
2. Right-click Command Prompt from the search result and select “Run as administrator”.
3. In the Command Prompt, type or copy and paste the following command to forcefully close OneDrive:

   taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe

4. Press Enter to execute the command. OneDrive will be closed if it was running.
5. Next, type or copy and paste the following command to reset OneDrive:

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

   

6. Press Enter to execute the command. OneDrive will reset itself. This process may take a few minutes.
7. After OneDrive has reset, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Reinstalling OneDrive in Windows 11

If resetting OneDrive does not solve the issue, you may need to completely uninstall and then reinstall the app. Below, you will find the detailed steps on how to completely remove OneDrive from your computer and reinstall it in Windows 11.

Step 1: Completely uninstall OneDrive

There are several methods to uninstall OneDrive in Windows 11. If one doesn’t work, you can try another method to ensure successful removal.

Using the Settings app

The most common method to uninstall the OneDrive app is to uninstall it via the Apps & features settings in the Settings app.

1. Press Win + i to open the Settings app.
2. Click on “Apps” and then “Apps & features.”
3. In the “Apps & features” list, find Microsoft OneDrive, click on the three-dot menu next to it, and select “Uninstall.”

Using Command Prompt

Alternatively, you can also manually run a command to uninstall OneDrive in Windows 11. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Win + X on your keyboard and click on “Command Prompt (Admin)” to open an elevated Command Prompt window.
2. In the Command Prompt, type or copy and paste the following command to uninstall OneDrive:

   %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

   

3. Press Enter to execute the command. OneDrive will be uninstalled from your system. This process may take a few minutes.
4. Restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Delete the OneDrive Registry

If you encounter errors such as “A newer version of OneDrive is installed – You need to uninstall it first before installing this version” or other issues that indicate you may not have uninstalled OneDrive properly, try the following method to delete the OneDrive registry.

Warning: Editing the Windows registry can be risky. Making incorrect changes to the registry may cause your system to become unstable or unbootable. Before proceeding with the steps below, it is highly recommended to create a system restore point. This will allow you to revert your system back to a previous state if something goes wrong.

1. Open Registry Editor by typing “regedit” into the Start menu.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OneDrive.
3. Right-click on “OneDrive” and select “Delete.”
4. Restart your computer.
5. After your computer restarts, follow the section below to reinstall OneDrive.

Step 2: Download and install OneDrive

Once you have completely uninstalled OneDrive, you can reinstall it using one of the methods below.

Download OneDrive from Microsoft

If you prefer to download the latest version of OneDrive directly from Microsoft’s website, you can do so by following the steps below. This method ensures that you’re installing the most recent version of the app and can be useful if you’ve encountered issues with the locally stored installer on your system.

1. Go to the OneDrive download page.
2. Click on the “Download” button to download the OneDrive installation file.
3. Once the file has been downloaded, double-click on it to start the installation process.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Use the local OneDriveSetup.exe

Alternatively, you can run the local OneDriveSetup.exe that may still be on your computer to install OneDrive. Installing OneDrive this way does not ensure that you have the latest version of OneDrive installed, but you can update the app afterward.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type or copy and paste the following command:

   %SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe

   It can also be located in:

   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\Update\OneDriveSetup.exe

   

2. Press Enter to execute the command. OneDrive will be reinstalled on your system. This process may take a few minutes.
3. Restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Install the app from Microsoft Store

Reinstalling OneDrive from the Microsoft Store is another viable option, especially if you prefer to keep your apps up-to-date through the store’s automatic update feature. This method ensures that you’re installing the most recent version of the app and makes it easy to manage OneDrive alongside your other Microsoft Store apps.

1. Open the Microsoft Store by clicking on the Store icon in the taskbar or by searching for “Microsoft Store” in the Start menu.
2. In the Microsoft Store, search for “OneDrive” and click on the “Microsoft OneDrive” app from the search results.
3. Click on the “Get” button to reinstall OneDrive on your system.
4. Once the reinstall process is complete, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Other troubleshooting tips for OneDrive issues

In some cases, the standard reset methods may not resolve your OneDrive issues. If you continue to experience problems after resetting OneDrive, consider trying these advanced troubleshooting steps:

Verify file and folder names

OneDrive has certain restrictions on file and folder names, which can cause sync issues if not adhered to. Ensure that your file and folder names:

• • Do not contain any of the following characters: ~ " # % & * : < > ? / \ { | }
  • Are not longer than 400 characters
  • Do not begin or end with a space

Check the DisableFileSync registry value

Sometimes, the Windows registry might contain values such as DisableFileSyncNGSC and DisableFileSync that disable OneDrive’s file synchronization feature, causing issues with syncing. To check and correct the registry values, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following registry keys:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\OneDrive
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Skydrive

3. Check to see if there is a registry value called DisableFileSyncNGSC or DisableFileSync in either of these folders.
4. If any of these registry values exist, ensure that their value is set as 0. If they don’t exist, you do not need to make any changes as OneDrive’s file synchronization feature will be enabled.

Re-link Your OneDrive Account

If you’re experiencing issues related to account syncing, try re-linking your OneDrive account:

1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray and select “Settings.”
2. In the OneDrive settings window, click on the “Account” tab.
3. Click on the “Unlink this PC” button.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to unlink your account and then sign back in with your Microsoft account credentials.

Check for conflicting applications

Some third-party applications, particularly antivirus and firewall software, can interfere with OneDrive’s functionality. To determine if a conflicting application is causing your issue, try temporarily disabling your antivirus or firewall and then checking to see if OneDrive works correctly. If disabling the software resolves the issue, consider adding an exception for OneDrive in your antivirus or firewall settings.

Update Windows and OneDrive

Ensure that your Windows 11 operating system and OneDrive app are up-to-date, as updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements.

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on “Windows Update” and then “Check for updates.” Install any available updates.
3. Open the Microsoft Store, click on the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, and select “Downloads and updates.” Check for any available OneDrive updates and install them.