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How to Free Up Disk Space Using OneDrive Files On-Demand
Question details
The user needs to free up local computer storage space by making OneDrive files online-only without deleting the actual files from the cloud.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Local storage is running low because OneDrive is unexpectedly downloading files and keeping local copies even when they are safely backed up in the cloud.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive consumes local disk space with downloaded copies instead of maintaining infrequently used files in an online-only state.
Ensure your OneDrive desktop application is running and signed in, and that you have an active internet connection so you can still access your files once they are set to online-only.
Enable Files On-Demand and Clear Local Copies
Turn on the Files On-Demand feature in OneDrive settings to make local files online-only, instantly freeing up your computer's disk space.
Using Files On-Demand allows you to see all your cloud files in File Explorer without actually downloading them until you open them. This is the most effective way to reclaim local hard drive space.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar notification area, click the gear icon, and select 'Settings'.
Navigate to the 'Sync and Backup' tab, select 'Advanced Settings', and toggle on the 'Files On-Demand' option.
Open File Explorer, locate your OneDrive folder, right-click the files or folders taking up space, and select 'Free up space'. The files will remain in your cloud but the local copies will be removed.
Manage and Free Up OneDrive Cloud Storage
If your OneDrive cloud storage is full, changing local sync settings won't help. You must delete unnecessary files or identify duplicates manually.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Cloud File Management
Having trouble managing large documents and local storage with Microsoft's tools? WPS Office is a lightweight, free alternative that offers built-in WPS Cloud storage, ensuring your documents are safely backed up online without unnecessarily cluttering your local hard drive.
- 1. Download and install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and complete the quick installation process.
- 2. Sign in to WPS Cloud: Log in with your email or social account to instantly activate your free WPS Cloud storage space.
- 3. Save files to the cloud: Create or edit your documents and select WPS Cloud as the save location to keep them strictly online and save local disk space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive download files unexpectedly even with Files On-Demand?
Files may download locally if a third-party application, antivirus scan, or Windows search indexer accesses them in the background. It also happens if the 'Always keep on this device' option is accidentally checked for a folder.
Does 'Free up space' delete my files from the OneDrive cloud?
No, selecting 'Free up space' only removes the local cached copy from your computer's hard drive. Your files remain safely stored in the OneDrive cloud and will appear with a blue cloud icon.
How do I know which OneDrive files are online-only?
In File Explorer, online-only files display a blue cloud icon in the 'Status' column. Files that are downloaded and taking up local space will show a green checkmark.
What happens if I delete an online-only file from File Explorer?
If you delete an online-only file (blue cloud icon) from your local OneDrive folder, it will be moved to the recycle bin and deleted from your OneDrive cloud storage across all your synced devices.
