In this blog, I will be explaining how you can use OneDrive to free up space on your PC. OneDrive is a brilliant service provided by Microsoft, and you can use it to back up all the files on your PC. If you have limited storage, this is perfect – particularly if you are paying for a Microsoft 365 subscription and have 1TB of OneDrive storage.
The steps below will walk you through freeing up space on your computer using OneDrive.
Step by step process – How to use OneDrive to free up space on your PC
- Firstly ensure you are signed in to your OneDrive account and that it’s synced with the Cloud.
- In the Windows taskbar notification area, click the white or blue OneDrive cloud icon.
- Click on “Help & Settings > Settings.”
- Select the “Save space and download files as you use them” checkbox on the Settings tab.
- Now go back to OneDrive in the File Explorer and right-click on a folder.
- Finally, ensure that the “Free up space” option is selected.
Following the process shown above will allow you to house your files on the cloud whilst still having the luxury of accessing offline. Think of it as looking through a periscope you have the files you can view on your desk and edit however the main source of the file is not on your computer but rather the cloud which as you have allowed for access offline, you can view without much inconvenience. Ensure you have WiFi to either sync the changes or when you add the files to offline more make sure they are synced with the cloud. Files On-Demand settings are device-specific, so make sure you enable it for each device where you intend to utilize it.
You’re losing out if you’re not using the OneDrive online storage option integrated into Windows 10. It has taken several years, but Microsoft has methodically developed OneDrive into a solid, reliable, and extremely useful service that provides 5GB of free cloud storage with the option to purchase additional space; if you have an Office 365 account, you get a terabyte of online storage with your subscription.
Symbols on OneDrive as an indication of file status and storgarge space
It’s highly useful if you know the symbols you have when you upload a file to OneDrive, these give a clear indication of the file status in your Drive and how it correlates between cloud and device, make sure you read through and see where your files stand. Make sure you have an idea by following through with the points mentioned below.
The symbols
| The first icon shows that your file is being uploaded to the device, its important not to make changes while this icon is present next to your file or the folder, changes may not reflect and it may cause a hard to your file or account. Let it upload and once this symbol is no longer present on the file you can make the necessary changes. | |
| When you see a blue cloud symbol next to a OneDrive file or folder, it means the file is only available online. Online-only files take up no disc space on your machine. Each online-only file has a cloud symbol in File Explorer, but the file does not download to your device until you access it. When your device isn’t connected to the Internet, you can’t open online-only files. | |
| When you access a file that is only available online, it downloads to your device and becomes a locally available file. You may open a locally accessible file at any moment, even if you do not have Internet connectivity. If you want extra space, you can return the file to online-only mode. Simply right-click the file and choose “Free up space.” When you enable Storage Sense, these files will become online-only after the time period you specify. | |
| Only files marked as “Always keep on this device” have a green circle with a white checkmark. These always-accessible files download to your device and take up space, but they’re always available to you, even when you’re not connected to the internet. Files On-Demand, on the other hand, works with all of the programs you use today, including Windows desktop apps and apps from the Windows Store. Additionally, Files On-Demand supports all of your personal and professional files from OneDrive, SharePoint in Microsoft 365, and SharePoint Server 2019 team sites. |
Sync your desktop content such as pictures, files, or folders to free up space on your PC
This feature debuted in 2018 with minimal fanfare and is really handy. You have the option of redirecting any or all of the three system folders that are part of your user profile to the cloud instead. The impact is the same as if you had moved the default location of the Desktop, Documents, or Pictures folders to a folder with matching names in your OneDrive folder, providing you a constantly updated backup of all your personal data.
To make this adjustment, go to OneDrive Settings, then click the Backup tab, then Manage Backup, and select the option you want for each of the three folders.
When you make the adjustment, OneDrive moves files from your local profile’s corresponding folder to the equivalent folder in OneDrive and merges any existing files from the cloud-based folder. Any modifications you make to files in the OneDrive folder on any device are synchronized to all of your devices.
In-depth – Step by step process – How to use OneDrive to free up space on your PC
- Firstly, ensure you are signed in to your OneDrive account and that it’s synced with the Cloud.
- In the Windows taskbar notification area, click the white or blue OneDrive cloud icon.
- Click on “Help & Settings > Settings.”
- Select the “Save space and download files as you use them” checkbox on the Settings tab.
- Now go back to OneDrive in the File Explorer and right-click on a folder.
- Finally, ensure that the “Free up space” option is selected.
That’s it for this Blog thank you for taking time out to read our content, please feel free to email our team about how it went if you followed the steps or if you need more help with the questions we answered in this Blog.