Important Notes

• Pro limitation: Windows 11 Pro cannot fully disable diagnostic data (“Off/Security-only” is Enterprise/Education/Server). Set to Required and disable optional/tailored experiences instead.
• Before uninstalling OneDrive: Move Desktop/Documents/Pictures back to local paths (Step 4).
• Recommended: Create a restore point before registry changes.

1) Hard-disable OneDrive (GPO – update-resilient)

1. Open gpedit.msc.
2. Go to:
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → OneDrive
3. Set Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage → Enabled.
4. Reboot.

2) Uninstall OneDrive (cleanup)

Run in an Admin PowerShell:

taskkill /f /im OneDrive.exe
%SystemRoot%\SysWOW64\OneDriveSetup.exe /uninstall

(On some systems, the uninstaller may be under System32.)

3) Remove OneDrive from File Explorer sidebar

Create remove-onedrive-explorer.reg, paste, and apply:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}]
"System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID\{018D5C66-4533-4307-9B53-224DE2ED1FE6}]
"System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree"=dword:00000000

Sign out/in (or reboot).

4) Move Desktop / Documents / Pictures back to local storage

1. Right-click Desktop → Properties → Location → Move…
2. Set to local paths (repeat for Documents/Pictures), e.g.:
   C:\Users\<you>\Documents
3. Confirm they are not under C:\Users\<you>\OneDrive\.

5) Minimize diagnostic data (lowest supported on Pro)

Use policy controls to send only Required diagnostic data and disable optional/tailored experiences.

1. Open gpedit.msc → Windows Components → Data Collection and Preview Builds.
2. Set Allow Telemetry to the lowest Pro-supported value (Required).
3. Also disable feedback prompts:
   Windows Components → Data Collection and Preview Builds → Do not show feedback notifications = Enabled

6) Disable consumer content, tips, ads, and “suggestions”

1. gpedit.msc → Windows Components → Cloud Content.
2. Enable:
   • Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences
   • Do not show Windows tips
3. Disable Advertising ID policy where available.

7) Disable web/cloud search and assistant hooks

1. gpedit.msc → Windows Components → Search.
2. Disable web results and cloud search policies where present.

8) Disable Copilot (and optionally remove the app)

“Turn off Windows Copilot” policy disables the feature; app removal options vary by Windows build/channel and admin policy availability.

1. gpedit.msc → Windows Components → Windows Copilot → Turn off Windows Copilot = Enabled.
2. If your build supports admin removal policies for the Copilot app, apply those in managed environments.