How to Make OneDrive Files Online-Only to Free Up Disk Space
Question details
The user wants to free up local hard drive storage by converting synced OneDrive files into online-only files.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Managing local disk space efficiently when syncing personal or work files with Microsoft OneDrive.
- Observed behavior
- Files are occupying too much local disk space, and the user needs a method to keep them accessible in the cloud while removing the local copies.
Ensure that your computer is connected to the internet and that you are signed into your OneDrive account so changes can sync properly.
Use the 'Free up space' Command in File Explorer
Manually select which files or folders to remove from your local drive while keeping them safely stored in your OneDrive cloud.
This method utilizes the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature. It allows you to see all your files in File Explorer without having to download them, saving significant local disk space.
Click the File Explorer icon on your taskbar or press the Windows key + E to open it, then navigate to your OneDrive folder in the left pane.
Highlight the specific files or folders that are taking up too much space and that you no longer need offline.
Right-click the selected items and choose 'Free up space' from the context menu. The local copies will be removed.
Automate with Windows Storage Sense
Configure Windows Storage Sense to automatically transition unused OneDrive files to online-only when your disk space runs low.
Access and Edit Your OneDrive Files Seamlessly with WPS Office
While you are optimizing your OneDrive storage, you can easily open and edit your online-only documents using WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that saves local resources while offering powerful editing tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will using 'Free up space' delete my files permanently?
No. The 'Free up space' option only removes the locally downloaded copy of the file from your computer's hard drive. The original file remains completely safe and accessible in your OneDrive cloud storage.
How do I know if a file is online-only or saved locally?
In File Explorer, check the status icon next to the file name. A blue cloud icon means the file is online-only. A green checkmark means the file is downloaded and taking up local disk space.
Can I open online-only files if I don't have an internet connection?
No, you need an active internet connection to open and download online-only files. If you know you will be working offline, right-click the files beforehand and select 'Always keep on this device' to download them.
