OneDrive File Issues

How to Select and Delete Multiple Pictures in OneDrive

Phi Hung Vo Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to select and delete multiple unwanted pictures in OneDrive to free up storage space.

How to Select and Delete Multiple Pictures in OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing cloud storage and removing unwanted photos in bulk.
Observed behavior: The user wants to remove specific pictures and permanently reclaim OneDrive storage space, but deleting them initially did not free up much capacity.

Before you start

Before deleting files, ensure you have downloaded any important photos you might want to keep locally, as emptying the recycle bin will permanently remove them from your cloud storage.

Solution 1Recommended

Delete Multiple Pictures via OneDrive Web

Use the OneDrive web interface to easily select specific pictures or all items in a folder and remove them.

Log in to OneDrive

Open your preferred web browser, navigate to the official OneDrive website, and log in to your Microsoft account.

Select specific pictures

Navigate to your photos folder. To select only the pictures you do not use, hold down the 'Ctrl' key on your keyboard and click on each individual file.

Select all pictures (Optional)

If you need to delete everything in a specific folder, simply open that folder and press 'Ctrl + A' to select all items simultaneously.

Delete and empty the recycle bin

Click the 'Delete' button on the top menu bar. To permanently reclaim your storage space, click on the 'Recycle bin' in the left navigation pane, then click 'Empty recycle bin' at the top.

Delete Multiple Pictures via OneDrive Web

Storage Space Reclaim: Deleted items in OneDrive continue to count against your storage limit until they are permanently removed from the Recycle Bin.

Solution 2

Delete Pictures Using the OneDrive Mobile App

Quickly manage and delete multiple photos directly from your smartphone or tablet using intuitive swipe gestures.

Solution 3

Delete Pictures via Windows File Explorer

Manage your synced OneDrive files directly from your computer using Windows File Explorer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my OneDrive storage space freeing up after deleting pictures?

When you delete files in OneDrive, they are simply moved to the OneDrive Recycle Bin, where they continue to occupy your storage quota. You must manually empty the Recycle Bin to permanently free up that space.

Can I recover pictures after emptying the OneDrive recycle bin?

No, once you empty the OneDrive Recycle Bin, the files are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Ensure you have local backups of any important photos before taking this step.

How long do deleted pictures stay in the OneDrive recycle bin automatically?

By default, deleted items remain in the OneDrive Recycle Bin for 30 days for personal Microsoft accounts, and 93 days for work or school accounts, before they are automatically permanently deleted.

Is there a way to select a large block of pictures quickly on a PC?

Yes, when using OneDrive on the web or via Windows File Explorer, click the first picture you want to select, hold down the 'Shift' key, and then click the last picture. All pictures in between those two selections will be highlighted at once.

Document & File Issues