OneDrive File Issues

How to Free Up OneDrive Storage by Removing Unwanted Backup Folders

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to reclaim OneDrive storage space that is being consumed by unwanted files, such as game-save folders, which are automatically synced to the cloud from the local Documents folder.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reclaiming limited cloud storage space by managing and adjusting folder backup behaviors.
Observed behavior: Unwanted folders, such as large game-save directories located in the Documents folder, are automatically backed up to OneDrive, unnecessarily consuming the user's available cloud storage.

Before you start

Before making changes, log into the OneDrive website to verify exactly which folders are consuming your storage, and ensure the game saves or application folders you plan to remove are not actively required for your current software.

Solution 1Recommended

Delete Unwanted Folders from the OneDrive Website

The most direct way to reclaim storage space is by manually deleting the unwanted folders from the cloud and permanently emptying the recycle bin.

Deleting files from the OneDrive website ensures they are removed from the cloud server. Remember that deleting them from OneDrive will also remove them from other devices synced to this account unless you move them out of the synced folder first.

Log into OneDrive

Navigate to the OneDrive website in your web browser and sign in using your Microsoft account credentials.

Locate and delete the folders

Browse to the 'Documents' folder (or wherever the unwanted game-save folders are stored), select the specific folders you no longer need backed up, and click the 'Delete' button on the top menu bar.

Empty the Recycle Bin

Go to the 'Recycle bin' located on the left navigation pane and click 'Empty recycle bin' to permanently erase the files and free up your storage space.

Solution 2

Modify Folder Backup Settings in OneDrive

Prevent unwanted folders from syncing in the future by adjusting your PC's folder backup settings or relocating the specific files locally.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my PC games saving to OneDrive automatically?

Many PC games default to saving player progress and configuration files in the Windows 'Documents' folder. If you have OneDrive PC Folder Backup enabled for the Documents folder, these potentially large game save files are automatically uploaded to your cloud storage.

Will stopping OneDrive folder backup delete my files?

No, stopping the backup does not delete your files. The files will remain in your OneDrive cloud directory, and a shortcut folder titled 'Where are my files' will appear in your local Documents folder. You can safely drag the files back to your local PC from that folder.

How can I buy more OneDrive storage space if I cannot delete anything?

If you need to keep all your backed-up folders and have exhausted your free space, you can purchase additional storage. Log into the OneDrive website, click on your storage usage metric at the bottom left, and select 'Get more storage' to view available Microsoft 365 subscription plans.

Document & File Issues