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Why OneDrive Local and Cloud Storage Sizes Differ & How to Check
Question details
Users are experiencing a discrepancy between the file size reported in their local OneDrive folder and the total storage space used online.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Checking and comparing storage space usage locally and online to manage file quotas and free up disk space.
- Observed behavior
- The disk usage size shown in the local folder properties does not match the cloud storage usage shown in the OneDrive online Storage Metrics page.
Ensure your device is connected to the internet and that your OneDrive app is fully synced so you are reviewing the most up-to-date storage information.
Understand and Compare OneDrive Storage Metrics Correctly
Identify the differences between local disk usage and cloud storage metrics to find where the hidden data resides.
Local folder properties calculate the exact disk space files take on your hard drive, whereas online storage metrics account for total cloud data. Cloud metrics often include file version histories, items in the recycle bin, and shared content that might not sync to your local folder.
Right-click your local OneDrive folder in File Explorer or Finder and select 'Properties' to view the 'Size on disk'.
Log in to your OneDrive account via a web browser, go to Settings (gear icon), click on 'OneDrive settings', and navigate to 'Storage Metrics'.
Compare the online metrics with your local folder properties to identify large hidden categories like the Recycle Bin or version history that are taking up cloud space but not local space.
Look at the sync status icons of your files in File Explorer to see which files are marked as 'Available offline' (taking up local space) versus 'Online-only' (taking up cloud space only).
Empty the Online OneDrive Recycle Bin
Reclaim cloud storage space by permanently deleting files from the online recycle bin, which count against your total cloud quota but aren't stored locally.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do 'Online-only' files take up space on my local hard drive?
No, 'Online-only' files are represented by a cloud icon and only take up a tiny amount of space for the file shortcut. They do not consume full local disk space until you open or manually download them to your device.
Why is my cloud storage full when my local OneDrive folder is empty?
Your cloud storage may contain files synced from other linked devices, extensive file version histories, or deleted files sitting in the online Recycle Bin that hasn't been emptied yet.
Does sharing files with others affect my OneDrive storage limit?
Files shared with you do not count against your personal OneDrive storage limit. However, files that you own and share with others do count against your own storage quota.
