OneDrive File Issues

How Much Local Storage Does OneDrive Use in Windows 11?

Kushani Nimanthika Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to know how much local disk space OneDrive consumes on Windows 11 and how to control it.

How Much Local Storage Does OneDrive Use in Windows 11?

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Managing local disk space consumed by synced cloud files.
Observed behavior: OneDrive local storage usage varies depending on Files On-Demand settings. Online-only files consume minimal space, while downloaded or cached files use actual local disk capacity.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed into your OneDrive account on Windows 11 and that your system is connected to the internet to accurately reflect file sync statuses.

Solution 1Recommended

Manage Local Storage Using OneDrive Files On-Demand

Enable Files On-Demand to keep files online-only, drastically reducing the amount of local disk space OneDrive uses on your PC.

With Files On-Demand, you can see all your cloud files in Windows File Explorer without actually downloading them. Only the files you open or explicitly mark to keep locally will take up physical disk space.

Open OneDrive Settings

Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Windows 11 taskbar notification area, click the Settings gear icon, and select Settings.

Enable Files On-Demand

Navigate to the Sync and backup tab, expand the Advanced settings section, and ensure the Files On-Demand toggle is turned on.

Free Up Local Space

Open File Explorer and navigate to your OneDrive folder. Right-click any large files or folders you don't need offline and select 'Free up space' to make them online-only.

Keep Important Files Offline

For files you must access without an internet connection, right-click them and select 'Always keep on this device'. These will download and use local disk space.

Manage Local Storage Using OneDrive Files On-Demand

Microsoft 365 Family Storage Limits: If you use Microsoft 365 Family, the total storage is shared among up to five users (1 TB each). These individual 1 TB allocations cannot be combined into a single account, and local storage usage remains separate for each Windows user profile.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit OneDrive Files Seamlessly with WPS Office

While optimizing your OneDrive storage on Windows 11, consider using WPS Office to handle your documents. It's a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that saves local disk space and integrates effortlessly with your cloud files.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the lightweight installation.
2. Connect Your Cloud: Open WPS Office, go to the Open menu, and easily access documents from your local OneDrive folder.
3. Edit and Save: Work on your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with full Microsoft format compatibility and save directly back to your cloud.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Lightweight installation saves local disk space compared to traditional office suites.Built-in cloud storage integration lets you open and save OneDrive files directly.Familiar user interface requires no learning curve for easy migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine Microsoft 365 Family storage into one account?

No, the Microsoft 365 Family plan provides separate storage for up to five users, with a maximum of 1 TB per user. You cannot pool or combine these allocations into a single account.

What happens if I mark a file as 'Always keep on this device'?

The file will be fully downloaded to your local hard drive and consume physical disk space. It will remain available for offline viewing and editing even when you do not have an internet connection.

How can I tell which files are taking up local space in Windows 11?

In File Explorer, check the status icon next to your OneDrive files. A solid green circle with a white checkmark indicates a file is explicitly kept on the device, while a hollow green circle with a green checkmark means it is a locally available cached file. Both of these statuses indicate the file is using local storage.

Document & File Issues