OneDrive File Issues

Remove Local OneDrive Files Without Deleting Cloud Files on Windows Server 2016

Rana Garcia Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to free up local disk space by removing locally stored OneDrive files on Windows Server 2016 without affecting the files saved in the cloud.

How to Remove Local OneDrive Files Without Deleting Cloud Copies on Windows Server 2016

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: Windows Server 2016
Scenario: Trying to free up local storage space on a server environment where the standard cloud-only file management options are missing.
Observed behavior: The 'Free up space' option is unavailable because Windows Server 2016 does not support the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature.

Before you start

Log into your OneDrive account via a web browser to verify that all your files are fully synced and accessible online before making any changes to your local directories.

Solution 1Recommended

Unlink Account and Delete Local Files

Use this method to safely disconnect your server from the cloud temporarily, allowing you to delete local data without triggering a synchronization deletion.

Since Windows Server 2016 does not support Files On-Demand, deleting a file from the OneDrive folder while the application is actively syncing will also delete it from the cloud. To prevent this, you must first sever the connection between your local PC and your OneDrive account.

Unlink this PC

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system notification area. Select 'Help & Settings' (the gear icon), then click 'Settings'. Go to the 'Account' tab and click the 'Unlink this PC' link. Confirm the action when prompted.

Quit OneDrive

After unlinking, close the setup screen that appears. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area again and select 'Quit OneDrive' or 'Close OneDrive' to ensure the application is completely shut down.

Delete Local Files

Open File Explorer and navigate to your local OneDrive folder (typically located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\OneDrive). Select the files or folders you want to remove to free up space and delete them.

Restart and Sign In

Open the Start menu, search for OneDrive, and launch the application. Sign back into your account. When prompted, choose the folders you actually need to sync locally, leaving out the large folders you just deleted.

Data Safety Verified: As long as the account was successfully unlinked and the application was closed before deletion, your cloud files remain completely intact and untouched.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'Free up space' option missing on Windows Server 2016?

The 'Free up space' option relies on the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature. This feature requires Windows 10 version 1709 or later, or Windows Server 2019. Because Windows Server 2016 runs on an older architecture, it does not support this native placeholder capability.

Will deleting unlinked local files delete them from my OneDrive cloud?

No. As long as you have successfully unlinked your account and completely quit the OneDrive application before you delete the local files, the changes will not be synced to the cloud.

Can I selectively sync only specific folders when I sign back in?

Yes. When you sign back into OneDrive after unlinking, the setup wizard will allow you to 'Choose folders' to sync. You can uncheck the large folders you don't want on your local drive, keeping them safely in the cloud.

Can I upgrade my system to get the Files On-Demand feature?

Yes, upgrading your operating system to Windows Server 2019 or migrating your tasks to a supported version of Windows 10 or Windows 11 will enable the OneDrive Files On-Demand feature natively.

Document & File Issues