Restore Missing 'Always Keep on This Device' OneDrive Option in Windows 11
Question details
The user is unable to find the 'Always keep on this device' option in the OneDrive context menu to manage local file copies.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- The user needs to manage local storage effectively because they have over 1 TB of files stored in OneDrive, which exceeds the laptop's local hard drive capacity.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Always keep on this device' option disappeared from the right-click context menu after upgrading to Windows 11, preventing the user from selectively keeping files offline.
Ensure that your OneDrive client is actively running in the Windows system tray and that you are signed in to the correct Microsoft account.
Enable OneDrive Files On-Demand
Use this solution to restore the context menu options, allowing you to selectively keep files locally while leaving the rest of your 1 TB data in the cloud.
Files On-Demand is designed to save local disk space. When enabled, it uploads your files to the cloud and allows you to choose which files remain locally on your computer. Enabling this feature restores the 'Always keep on this device' right-click option in File Explorer.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows 11 taskbar system tray. Click the gear icon at the top right of the flyout menu and select 'Settings'.
In the OneDrive settings window, click on the 'Sync and backup' tab from the left-side menu, then click on 'Advanced settings' to expand the options.
Scroll down to the 'Files On-Demand' section. If it is turned off, toggle it on or click 'Free up disk space' to activate the feature.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your OneDrive folder. Right-click on any file or folder; the 'Always keep on this device' option should now be visible.
Disable Files On-Demand to Keep All Files Locally
Choose this option only if your laptop has more than 1 TB of available storage and you want a complete synchronized offline copy of all your OneDrive files.
Try WPS Office for Seamless File Management
While resolving your Windows 11 and OneDrive synchronization settings, consider using WPS Office as your primary productivity suite. It is highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats, lightweight, and offers built-in cloud storage to keep your files safe without overwhelming your local hard drive.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
- 2. Install the Suite: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your Windows 11 device.
- 3. Sign In and Sync: Launch WPS Office, sign in to your account, and easily access your local and cloud documents from one unified interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the 'Always keep on this device' option disappear after updating to Windows 11?
Major Windows 11 updates or OneDrive client updates can sometimes reset your synchronization preferences. This may temporarily disable the Files On-Demand feature, which is responsible for displaying the 'Always keep on this device' option in the right-click menu.
What is the difference between 'Free up space' and 'Always keep on this device'?
Selecting 'Free up space' removes the local copy of the file from your hard drive, keeping it safely in the cloud to save space. Selecting 'Always keep on this device' downloads a permanent copy to your laptop so you can access it even without an internet connection.
Can I use OneDrive Files On-Demand if I have more cloud data than local storage?
Yes, Files On-Demand is specifically designed for this. You can view your entire 1 TB+ cloud drive in Windows File Explorer, but files will only download and consume local storage space when you open them or manually choose to keep them on your device.
