OneDrive File Issues

Can You Install Steam Games and Applications on OneDrive?

Natalie Taylor Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if they can use their 1TB Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage allocation to install Steam games and other applications to make up for limited local storage.

Can You Install Steam Games and Applications on OneDrive?

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to expand device storage for installing large applications and games using cloud storage.
Observed behavior: The user is seeking to use OneDrive as an alternative to local hard drives for software and game execution.

Before you start

Check your device's current local storage capacity in Windows File Explorer and identify the specific storage requirements of your games before attempting any installations.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Local Disk Storage for Steam Games Instead of OneDrive

OneDrive is designed exclusively for syncing files, not running applications. Installing games on OneDrive can cause severe performance latency, syncing errors, or complete failure to run.

OneDrive is a cloud storage service designed to store, back up, and sync documents, photos, and standard files across your devices. It is not designed to function as an extension of your local hard drive.

Steam games and complex applications require high read and write speeds, registry entries, and direct access to local system resources to function properly. Running them from a synced cloud folder will lead to severe latency, corrupted game files, and continuous bandwidth consumption as OneDrive attempts to sync gigabytes of changing data during gameplay.

Check Available Local Storage

Open 'This PC' or 'My Computer' from your Windows taskbar to verify the available free space on your local C: or D: drives.

Upgrade Local Hardware

If your local storage is insufficient, consider purchasing an external SSD or a larger internal hard drive, and plug it into your computer's USB port or motherboard.

Change Steam Installation Folder

Launch the Steam client, navigate to 'Steam' > 'Settings' > 'Storage' in the top-left menu, and click the '+' icon to create a new Steam library folder on your dedicated local drive.

Use Local Disk Storage for Steam Games Instead of OneDrive

Game Saves on OneDrive: While you cannot install the core game files on OneDrive, many PC games automatically save your progression data in the 'Documents' folder, which can be safely backed up and synced by OneDrive without performance issues.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Save Local Disk Space for Games with WPS Office

If you are running out of local storage for your Steam games and applications, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly lightweight office suite that takes up a fraction of the disk space compared to Microsoft Office, leaving you with more room for gaming while maintaining full productivity features.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button to get the lightweight installation package.
2. Install on Local Drive: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the on-screen prompts to quickly install the suite on your local drive without bloatware.
3. Open Your Existing Files: Launch WPS Office and drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office documents into the workspace to edit them seamlessly.

Lightweight installation takes up significantly less local disk space, leaving more room for your games and heavy applicationsFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)All-in-one application design reduces system clutter and background resource usageFamiliar tabbed interface allows you to start working immediately with zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move my already installed Steam games into my OneDrive folder?

No, moving installed Steam game folders into your OneDrive directory is highly discouraged. Steam will struggle to read the files, and OneDrive will constantly try to sync large game files to the cloud, consuming your internet bandwidth and potentially corrupting your game data.

What should I use my 1TB OneDrive storage for?

Your 1TB OneDrive allocation is ideal for storing documents, photos, videos, and creating backups of important personal files. It is strictly meant for file storage and syncing rather than application execution or software installation.

How can I free up local disk space for my applications?

You can use the built-in Windows Disk Cleanup tool, uninstall unused applications from the 'Apps & features' menu, move large media files like videos and photos to your OneDrive cloud storage, and switch to lightweight software alternatives.

Does Steam have its own cloud storage feature?

Yes, Steam has a built-in feature called Steam Cloud. By right-clicking a game in your library and selecting 'Properties', you can enable Steam Cloud to automatically back up your game saves and personal settings to Steam's servers. However, it does not store the actual game installation files.

Document & File Issues