Microsoft makes it possible to remove SkyDrive from its first Windows 8 update

Jul 5, 2013 08:27 GMT  ·  By

Windows 8.1 Preview comes by default with SkyDrive integration, as Microsoft is trying to provide users with a quick way to save their files in the cloud.

While the feature could indeed come in very handy for many users, there are no configuration options, so you can’t for instance change the root folder of SkyDrive or simply remove integration from the operating system.

The company has explained in a short post on the official support forums that SkyDrive integration in Windows 8.1 Preview can be disabled by following a few simple steps.

All you need to do is to run gpedit.msc and go to the following path:

Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\SkyDrive

Enable the “Prevent the usage of SkyDrive for file storage” policy setting and wait a couple of minutes.

“You won’t be able to access your SkyDrive files from the SkyDrive app. The SkyDrive node will go away from the Explorer left navigation pane. File syncing will stop,” a company engineer explained in a post.