How to delete a notebook in Microsoft OneNote

However, there will be no option that will allow you to permanently delete a notebook in the app, but instead, you will need to locate and delete the source file (a local file on Windows 10 or in OneDrive). Here's how to do it.

Close and delete a notebook in Microsoft OneNote

There is an important difference that you need to keep in mind between closing and deleting a notebook in OneNote. When you close a notebook, the contents of the notebook are not permanently deleted. Instead, the application will simply remove this content from the list of available notebooks. Basically, the data in the notebook can still be accessed from the source file.

To permanently delete content from Microsoft OneNote, you need to locate and delete the source file of the notebook. Where are the source files stored? The answer obviously depends on where you choose to save it, but this can also sometimes depend on the operating system you're using (by default).

How to delete a OneNote notebook in OneDrive

Many people have the habit of storing their OneNote notebooks and notes in cloud storage services like OneDrive. Especially if you use OneNote on your Mac, you only have one option to save your notebooks to OneDrive — no local storage option.

First, on a Windows 10 Mac or PC, open any web browser and go to Microsoft OneDrive. Immediately, you will be redirected to the 'My Files' tab.

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Here you will see a folder called "Documents", click on it.

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Next, click on the 'OneNote Notebooks' folder.

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Right click on the notebook you want to delete and then select the 'Delete' option.

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This notebook has now been completely removed from OneDrive.

How to delete a OneNote notebook in Windows 10

In case you want to delete a locally stored OneNote notebook on Windows 10, open File Explorer and navigate to the system's 'Documents' folder.

Next, open the 'OneNote Notebooks' folder. This is a folder automatically created by OneNote to store user notebooks by default.

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Now, right click on the item you want to delete. In the contextual menu that appears, click 'Delete'.

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This notebook has now been removed from the system's local storage.

Samuel Daniel

Update 22 June 2021