OneDrive File Issues

How to Keep Files in OneDrive After Deleting Them from Local Computer

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to free up local hard drive space by removing files from their computer while ensuring those files remain accessible and safely stored in OneDrive.

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Freeing up local disk space without losing cloud backups or permanently deleting the files from the online drive.
Observed behavior: Standard deletion removes the file from both the local computer and the cloud storage simultaneously, which is not the desired outcome.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed into the OneDrive desktop app on your computer and that all your files are fully synced to the cloud before attempting to remove the local copies.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable OneDrive Files On-Demand

Turn on Files On-Demand to keep files stored in the cloud while still seeing them in File Explorer, saving local storage space globally.

The Files On-Demand feature allows you to view and access all your cloud files in File Explorer without actually downloading them to your local hard drive until you open them.

Open OneDrive Settings

Right-click the blue or white OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows taskbar notification area, click the gear icon, and select 'Settings'.

Navigate to Sync and Backup

In the OneDrive settings window, navigate to the 'Sync and backup' tab (or the 'Settings' tab in older versions) and click 'Advanced settings'.

Toggle Files On-Demand

Locate the 'Files On-Demand' section and toggle it on or click 'Free up disk space'. Your files will now be kept online by default.

Solution 2

Use the 'Free up space' Option for Specific Files

Manually remove the local copy of a specific file or folder while keeping the cloud copy intact.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open online-only OneDrive files when offline?

No, files marked as 'Free up space' (online-only) require an active internet connection to download and open. If you anticipate needing offline access, right-click the file and select 'Always keep on this device'.

What happens if I press the Delete key instead of clicking 'Free up space'?

If you press the Delete key, the file will be moved to your computer's Recycle Bin and simultaneously deleted from your OneDrive cloud storage. You must use the 'Free up space' option to delete the local copy without deleting the cloud copy.

Will 'Free up space' change my document formatting or contents?

No, changing a file's sync status to online-only does not alter its contents, formatting, or metadata. It simply removes the cached local copy from your hard drive to save physical storage space.

Document & File Issues