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Does OneDrive Use PC Space? How to Use Files On-Demand
Question details
The user wants to know if saving files to OneDrive consumes local computer disk space and how to minimize local storage usage.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing local PC disk space when syncing files and folders with Microsoft OneDrive.
- Observed behavior
- Files copied to the OneDrive folder take up local disk space unless specific settings are applied to keep them strictly in the cloud as placeholders.
Ensure that the OneDrive desktop application is actively running on your computer and that you are connected to the internet.
Enable OneDrive Files On-Demand and Free Up Space
Use the Files On-Demand feature to keep your files in the cloud while still seeing them in File Explorer, freeing up significant local disk space.
OneDrive Files On-Demand allows you to access all your cloud files without having to download them and use storage space on your device. When this feature is active, files appear as online-only placeholders and will only download to your local drive when you open them.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, click the Settings (gear) icon, and select 'Settings'. Navigate to the 'Sync and backup' tab, click on 'Advanced settings', and toggle on 'Files On-Demand'.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your OneDrive folder. Right-click the file or folder that is taking up local space and select 'Free up space' from the context menu.
The file status will change to a cloud icon, indicating it is online-only. Simply double-click the file anytime you need to use it; OneDrive will quickly download and open it.
Save Space and Work Smarter with WPS Office
If you are concerned about saving local disk space and want a seamless document editing experience, WPS Office is a lightweight, all-in-one suite. It fully integrates with cloud drives like OneDrive, allowing you to edit documents directly from the cloud without bloating your PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open online-only OneDrive files without an internet connection?
No, files that are marked as online-only (indicated by a blue cloud icon) require an active internet connection to download before they can be opened. If you need to work offline, right-click the file beforehand and select 'Always keep on this device'.
How do I know which OneDrive files are taking up local space?
Check the status column in File Explorer. A solid green circle with a white checkmark or a hollow green circle with a green checkmark means the file is downloaded and is currently taking up local disk space.
Does deleting a file from the OneDrive folder free up space?
While deleting a file does remove it from your local drive and frees up space, it will also permanently delete the file from your OneDrive cloud storage across all your devices. To safely remove it locally while keeping it in the cloud, right-click and use the 'Free up space' option instead.
