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Blocking SkyDrive Use in Windows 8.1
Here's an FAQ that helps you block SkyDrive in Windows 8.1 by using Group Policy.
John Savill
August 23, 2013
1 Min Read
Q: How can I block the use of SkyDrive in Windows 8.1?
A: There was no Group Policy setting to block the use of SkyDrive in Windows 8. However, now that SkyDrive is a built-in component of Windows 8.1, there is a Group Policy setting to block its use.
Open the Group Policy Object (GPO) that's applied to the Windows 8.1 machines, or run gpedit.msc locally on a Windows 8.1 machine.
Navigate to Computer Configuration, [Policies], Administrative Templates, Windows Components, SkyDrive.
Double-click Prevent the usage of SkyDive for file storage.
Set to Enabled, and click OK.
Close Group Policy Editor.
Within a few minutes the change will take effect, and you'll find the following upheld:
Users can’t access SkyDrive from the SkyDrive app and file picker.
Windows Store apps can’t access SkyDrive using the WinRT API.
SkyDrive doesn’t appear in the navigation pane in File Explorer.
SkyDrive files aren’t kept in sync with the cloud.
Users can’t automatically upload photos and videos from the camera roll folder.
To make this change on a Windows RT device, you would first need to start the Group Policy Client service (start services.msc and start the service).
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