FAQs
Click the OneDrive taskbar/menu bar icon and open OneDrive > Settings > Account > Choose folders to make sure you don't sync any unwanted files to your computer. Empty the OneDrive Recycle bin. Re-install OneDrive and turn off the sync. Delete unnecessary files from the OneDrive Web and empty the Recycle Bin.
How to keep OneDrive files on PC? ›
Right-click a file or folder. Select Always keep on this device or Free up space.
Why is everything on my computer going to OneDrive? ›
The OneDrive app built in to Windows synchronizes your files between your computer and OneDrive so they're backed up, protected, and available on any device. Tip: You can use Files On-Demand to free up space or to make sure files or folders are always available on your device, even when you're offline.
Can you remove files from OneDrive but keep on PC? ›
Delete from your OneDrive but not your computer
If you want to keep a file, photo, or folder on your computer, but not on OneDrive, use File Explorer or Mac Finder to move the file outside your OneDrive folder to a different folder on your computer.
How do I free up space on OneDrive without deleting files? ›
In the OneDrive app, go to Settings > Account. There, click the Choose folders button. Then, uncheck the folders that you want to remove from your computer and click OK. Using Selective Sync is just one of the tips that will help you get the most out of OneDrive.
What happens if my OneDrive is full? ›
If you exceed your OneDrive storage quota: You won't be able to upload, edit, or sync new files to your OneDrive. Your existing files will remain but will be read-only.
How to clean up OneDrive storage? ›
One of the fastest ways to free up OneDrive space is to remove large files you don't need. Find these files by opening your OneDrive folder and sorting by size. Oust some old files. If you want to see which files you use least, sort your OneDrive folder by Date modified in ascending order.
Do OneDrive files stay on my computer? ›
Once you install Onedrive on your PC or laptop, it physically takes the files off of your computer and stores them in the cloud. If you then decide not to subscribe to Onedrive anymore - your files are lost.
Can you turn off OneDrive on PC? ›
Windows 10/11
Select the OneDrive cloud in your notification area to show the OneDrive pop-up. Select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon then select Settings. Go to the Account tab. Select Unlink this PC.
Should I save files to OneDrive or computer? ›
If you're working on a file by yourself, save it to OneDrive. Your OneDrive files are private unless you share them with others, which is particularly useful if you haven't created a team yet.
Make sure that the "Files On-Demand" feature is turned off. This feature allows you to access files on OneDrive without actually downloading them to your computer, but it can sometimes cause synchronization issues.
How do I save everything from OneDrive to my PC? ›
To save files from OneDrive to your computer, you can simply open File Explorer on your computer, navigate to the OneDrive folder, and then drag and drop the files you want to save onto your computer's hard drive.
Are OneDrive files stored on PC? ›
Want to view your OneDrive files? You can see your locally saved folder and files if you right-click on the OneDrive System Tray icon and select Open folder. This will open a windows in File Explorer that shows all the OneDrive folders and files that are saved directly on your computer.
