Office Performance Issues

How to Fix Large Microsoft Office Cache Filling Disk Space

Camila Milosovich Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent Microsoft Office and OneDrive cache files from consuming excessive local disk space.

How to Fix a Large Microsoft Office Cache That Fills Disk Space

Product: Microsoft 365, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Synchronizing cloud documents or working with large Microsoft 365 files locally.
Observed behavior: The local cache grows rapidly during synchronization or document processing, filling up the hard drive or SSD space unnecessarily.

Before you start

Before proceeding, check your available disk space in Windows Settings and ensure your currently opened Microsoft Office documents are saved and closed to prevent data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable OneDrive Files On-Demand

Turning on Files On-Demand ensures that cloud-only files do not occupy local storage unnecessarily, saving massive amounts of SSD space.

OneDrive stores local copies of synchronized files by default, which can quickly drain your storage. Enabling the Files On-Demand feature keeps files in the cloud until you explicitly open them.

Access OneDrive Settings

Click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows taskbar notification area, click the gear icon (Help & Settings), and select 'Settings'.

Navigate to Sync and Backup

In the Settings menu, go to the 'Sync and backup' tab and select 'Advanced settings'.

Turn on Files On-Demand

Look for the 'Files On-Demand' section and click 'Free up disk space' to remove local copies while keeping the files visible in File Explorer.

Storage Reclaimed: Your files will now show a cloud icon next to them, indicating they are safely stored online and no longer consuming local disk space.

Solution 2

Reset the OneDrive Application

If the cache continues to grow uncontrollably despite your settings, resetting OneDrive can clear stuck synchronization processes and bloated cache files.

Solution 3

Clear the Office Document Cache

Deleting the cache directly from the Office application settings can immediately free up disk space consumed by temporary working files.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Lightweight Document Experience

If bloated cache files and heavy resource usage in Microsoft Office are frustrating you, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight alternative. It requires significantly less disk space to install and run, while avoiding the aggressive background caching behavior of other office suites.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free, lightweight installer.
2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation process which requires minimal disk space.
3. Open Existing Documents: Open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files natively without any format conversion.

Extremely lightweight installation package that prevents local disk space issues.Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface for seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Microsoft Office using so much local disk space?

Microsoft Office uses a local document cache to ensure smooth syncing with OneDrive and SharePoint. If large files are frequently opened or background synchronization errors occur, this cache folder can grow significantly and consume vital storage.

Will deleting the Office cache delete my personal files?

No, clearing the Office document cache only removes temporary local copies that the system uses for active synchronization. Your actual files remain safely stored in the cloud or in their designated local folders.

How do I stop OneDrive from automatically downloading everything to my PC?

You need to enable the 'Files On-Demand' feature in the OneDrive settings. This keeps your files strictly in the cloud and only downloads them temporarily when you double-click to open them.

Does WPS Office consume less disk space than Microsoft Office?

Yes, WPS Office is designed to be highly efficient and lightweight. It requires only a fraction of the installation space compared to Microsoft Office and utilizes system resources more efficiently without excessive background caching.

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