OneDrive File Issues

How to Upload Large Files to OneDrive Without Local Storage

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to move a 200 GB file to OneDrive but only has 100 GB of free local storage available on their computer.

How to Upload Large Files Directly to OneDrive Without Local Storage

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to upload a file that exceeds the currently available local disk space.
Observed behavior: Normal browser downloads and OneDrive desktop sync operations use local temporary storage before the file is uploaded, preventing the upload due to insufficient disk space.

Before you start

Before proceeding, check if the large file is currently stored on an external drive or in another cloud storage account, as this determines which workaround you should use.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Cloud-to-Cloud Transfer Service

Ideal if your large file is already hosted on another cloud platform (like Google Drive, Dropbox, or a different OneDrive account).

Because browsers cache files locally during a manual download/upload, transferring large files directly between cloud platforms avoids using your local storage entirely.

Using a third-party migration tool allows server-to-server transfers without consuming your local disk space.

Select a migration service

Choose a trusted cloud-to-cloud transfer service, such as MultCloud, Mover.io, or Rclone.

Connect the source cloud

Log into the transfer service and authorize access to the cloud storage account where your 200 GB file is currently located.

Connect your OneDrive account

Authorize access to your target OneDrive account within the same transfer service.

Initiate the transfer

Select the large file from the source directory, set the target directory in OneDrive, and start the migration. You can turn off your computer while the server handles the transfer.

Transfer Speeds: Cloud-to-cloud transfer speeds depend on the third-party service and may take some time for very large files, but it completely bypasses your local 100 GB storage limit.

Solution 2

Change OneDrive Folder to an External Drive

Use this method if the file is currently on an external hard drive or if you have an external drive with more than 200 GB of free space.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Save Local Storage Space with WPS Office

While bypassing physical storage limits for a 200 GB file upload requires external drives or cloud-to-cloud transfers, managing your daily documents shouldn't take up massive local space. WPS Office is a lightweight, all-in-one suite that lets you easily edit and save documents directly to your favorite cloud storage.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office from the official website and complete the lightweight installation process.
2. Connect Cloud Storage: Open WPS Office, navigate to the Cloud section, and log into your preferred cloud storage provider (like OneDrive or Google Drive).
3. Work Directly in the Cloud: Open, edit, and save your documents directly to the cloud, ensuring your local storage remains free for other critical files.

Lightweight installation consumes significantly less local storage space than other office suitesFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsSeamless integration with Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox for direct cloud editingCompletely free to download with a familiar, easy-to-use interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the 'Free up space' feature to bypass the local storage limit during upload?

No. The 'Free up space' feature can only be applied after a file has been completely uploaded to OneDrive. The initial sync requires enough local disk space to store the file temporarily.

Does uploading through a web browser bypass local storage requirements?

Not entirely. Web browsers use local cache and temporary folders during the upload process. If your local drive lacks sufficient space for the temporary cache of a 200 GB file, the browser upload will likely fail.

What is the maximum file size limit for uploading to OneDrive?

Microsoft currently supports file sizes up to 250 GB for individual file uploads to OneDrive, provided you have sufficient storage space in your cloud plan and enough temporary local storage to process the upload.

Document & File Issues