How to delete a notebook (notebook) in Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote provides an option that allows users to quickly close a notebook (notebook) when needed. However, there won’t be an option that will let you permanently delete a notebook in the app, but instead, you’ll need to locate and delete the source file (either local on Windows 10 or in OneDrive). Here’s how to do it.

Close and delete a notebook in Microsoft OneNote

There’s an important difference 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 a 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.

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

Next, click on the “OneNote Notebooks” folder.

Right-click the notebook you want to delete and then click the “Delete” option.

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 OneNote notebook stored locally on Windows 10, open File Explorer and navigate to the system’s “Documents” folder.

Next, open the “OneNote Notebooks” folder. This is the folder that OneNote automatically creates to store user notebooks by default.

Now, right click on the item you want to delete. In the context menu that appears, click “Delete”.

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