OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Copied Folder Shows Less Storage Size

Nimra Malik Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users copying large folders in OneDrive may notice the destination folder displays less total storage or a lower file count than the source folder.

Fix OneDrive Copied Folder Shows Less Storage Size

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Copying or moving multiple folders and files within OneDrive or SharePoint.
Observed behavior: The copied folder shows a smaller size or fewer files due to skipped unsupported items, sync delays, or operation limits.

Before you start

Make sure your OneDrive client is actively running and connected to a stable network to allow background synchronization to complete before verifying folder properties.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify OneDrive and SharePoint Copy Limitations

Check if your copy operation exceeds Microsoft's strict limits for multi-file transfers, which can cause folders to copy incompletely.

Microsoft imposes specific limits on copying or moving multiple files simultaneously in OneDrive and SharePoint. If these limits are reached, the operation may skip files, resulting in a smaller destination folder size.

Check total folder size

Right-click your source folder and select 'Properties'. Ensure the total size is under the 100 GB limit for multi-file copy operations.

Verify total file count

Look at the 'Contains' section in the folder properties. OneDrive restricts operations to a maximum of 30,000 files at one time.

Check for restricted file types

Locate any OneNote files in the folder. OneNote files larger than 2 GB cannot be copied using this method and will be skipped.

Verify OneDrive and SharePoint Copy Limitations

Batch Copying: To bypass the 100 GB or 30,000 file limits, split your large folder into smaller subfolders and copy them in separate batches.

Solution 2

Check Sync Status and Unsupported Files

Ensure files aren't stuck in a pending sync state or blocked due to invalid file names.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my local OneDrive folder size differ from the online size?

If you have the 'Files On-Demand' feature enabled, OneDrive stores placeholders locally instead of the full files to save disk space. To view the true size, check the folder properties online or select 'Always keep on this device' locally.

Can I copy a folder larger than 100 GB in a single OneDrive operation?

No, OneDrive restricts multi-file copy and move operations to a 100 GB maximum. For larger directories, you must manually divide the contents into smaller folders and copy them individually.

Are there special limits for cross-geo data copies in SharePoint or OneDrive?

Yes, if you are copying or moving data across different geographical regions (cross-geo) in a Microsoft 365 environment, the maximum size limit per operation is strictly capped at 15 GB.

Document & File Issues