Free Up Space in OneDrive Easily with These Proven Methods
You can reclaim storage space in OneDrive by doing a few easy things. Delete files you do not need, clear the recycle bin, and check your sync settings. Many people see their storage fill up fast because of a bug in old OneDrive versions. This bug makes online files use space on your computer. Microsoft has some fixes for this problem. You do not need to be good with computers to use these simple steps. The instructions work on any device, so everyone can keep their storage in check.
Key Takeaways
Clear out the OneDrive Recycle Bin often to get more space, because deleted files still take up space until you remove them for good.
Remove big or unneeded files by sorting them by size, and delete old versions to get back space.
Use OneDrive Files On-Demand to keep files only online, so you save space on your device but can still get to your files.
Change sync settings to pick which folders go to your device, so you use less space and your device works better.
Move large media files to external drives and send links instead of attachments to save space in OneDrive.
Empty Recycle Bin
Emptying the Recycle Bin in OneDrive is one of the fastest ways to free up storage. When you delete files, OneDrive moves them to the Recycle Bin instead of removing them right away. These files still use your storage space until you empty the bin. You need to clear both the first-stage and second-stage Recycle Bins to fully reclaim your space. If you skip this step, your storage can fill up quickly.
Tip: Files in the Recycle Bin stay recoverable for up to 93 days. After that, OneDrive deletes them permanently. Once you empty both bins, you cannot restore those files.
On Web
Go to OneDrive.com and sign in.
Select Recycle bin from the left menu.
Review the files. Select Empty recycle bin at the top.
If you see a Second-stage recycle bin link, click it and repeat the process.
Refresh the page to check your available space.
Some users report issues emptying the Recycle Bin on certain browsers. If you have trouble, try a different browser or device.
On Windows
Open the OneDrive folder in File Explorer.
Right-click the file you want to delete and select Delete.
To empty the bin, open OneDrive on the web and follow the web steps above.
Windows does not have a separate OneDrive Recycle Bin in File Explorer.
On Mac
Open the OneDrive folder in Finder.
Delete files as needed.
Use the OneDrive web interface to empty the Recycle Bin, as Mac does not have a built-in OneDrive Recycle Bin.
On Mobile
Open the OneDrive app.
Tap Me or your profile icon.
Tap Recycle Bin.
Select files or tap Empty Recycle Bin.
If you see a second-stage bin, repeat the process.
If you cannot empty the bin or see errors, your Microsoft 365 subscription or recent updates may affect this. Contact Microsoft Support if problems continue.
By emptying the Recycle Bin on all your devices, you make sure deleted files stop using your storage. This keeps your OneDrive organized and gives you more space for what matters.
Delete Files
Find Large Files
You can make more space by deleting big files. First, sort your files by size. On the OneDrive website, go to My Files. Use the Sort button and pick Size. This puts your biggest files at the top. You can also use File Explorer with the OneDrive app. Type size:>500MB in the search bar. This helps you find files that use the most space.
Tip: Check your files before deleting. Make sure you do not remove anything important.
Remove Unnecessary Files
Look through your folders for files you do not need. Folders like Camera Roll, Documents, Pictures, and Desktop may have old screenshots, videos, or documents. These can take up a lot of space. You can also remove shared folders you do not use. Right-click the shared folder and choose Remove from my OneDrive. If you have copies of the same file, use Cloud Duplicate Finder to find and delete them.
Always save important files before deleting anything.
If you use more than one cloud service, move extra files to another provider or an external drive.
When you delete files and empty the Recycle Bin, they are gone forever. Make sure you keep copies of anything you might need later.
Delete Old Versions
OneDrive saves old versions of your files. These can use a lot of space over time. To delete them, right-click a file on the OneDrive website. Pick Version history and delete the versions you do not need. If your school or work has rules about saving files, you may not be able to delete some versions until the rule ends.
Note: OneDrive is not a full backup tool. It does not protect against every risk, like deleting files by mistake or ransomware. Always keep copies of your most important files on your computer.
Reclaim Storage Space with Files On-Demand
OneDrive Files On-Demand gives you a smart way to reclaim storage space on your device. This feature lets you see all your files in File Explorer or Finder without downloading them. You only use local storage when you open a file or choose to keep it offline. Files On-Demand started with Windows 10 and now works on Mac too. You do not need to delete or move files to save space. Instead, you can make files online-only and download them only when needed.
Make Files Online-Only
You can reclaim storage space by making files online-only. This keeps your files safe in the cloud and frees up your device. To do this on Windows, right-click a file or folder in your OneDrive folder. Select Free up space. The icon changes to a blue cloud, showing the file is now online-only. On Mac, open Finder and go to your OneDrive folder. Right-click the file or folder and choose Free up space. The file stays visible, but it does not use local storage until you open it.
Tip: You can still see and search for online-only files. When you need one, just double-click to download and open it.
Free Up Local Space
Files On-Demand helps you reclaim storage space by letting you control which files stay on your device. On Windows, Files On-Demand is usually on by default. If you want to check, right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray, go to Settings, and make sure the option for Files On-Demand is checked. On Mac, open OneDrive preferences, enable Files On-Demand, and turn on the OneDrive Finder extension in System Preferences > Extensions.
You can also use Storage Sense on Windows to automatically make files online-only if you have not used them in a while. This keeps your device from filling up. On Mac, the system can auto-evict files you do not use often, so you always have room for new work.
See all your files without using up disk space.
Mark important files as "Always keep on this device" if you want them offline.
With Files On-Demand, you reclaim storage space and keep your files easy to reach.
Manage Sync and Backup
Making sure your OneDrive sync and backup settings are right helps you get back storage space. It also keeps your device working well. You can pick which files and folders sync to your device. You can also change how backups work. This stops you from wasting space on files you do not need.
Adjust Sync Settings
You can change your sync settings to save space. This also helps your device work better. Here are some good settings to use:
Turn on Files On-Demand so files stay online until you open them.
Use Storage Sense on Windows to clean up files you do not use.
Enable Known Folder Move to back up important folders like Desktop and Documents.
Keep Office file collaboration on for faster syncing.
Use shortcuts to shared folders instead of syncing big shared libraries.
Block syncing of very large files, like virtual machine or Outlook data files.
For very large files, use a network drive instead of OneDrive.
Tip: These settings help you keep your device from filling up with files you rarely use.
Choose Folders to Sync
You do not have to sync every folder to your device. Syncing fewer folders helps your computer run faster. It also saves space. Here is how selective sync helps:
Syncing fewer folders means OneDrive has fewer files to manage. This lowers CPU use.
Less syncing means less local storage is used.
Do not sync more than 300,000 files to avoid slowdowns.
In OneDrive settings, unselect folders like Desktop or Pictures if you do not need them everywhere.
Selective sync keeps your device fast and your storage free.
If you stop syncing a folder, those files stay in the cloud but not on your device. Always check that important files are there when you need them.
Manage Backups
Good backup habits protect your files. They also help you not use too much storage. Follow these best steps:
Keep three copies of your data, with at least one off-site.
Set backup schedules based on how important your files are.
Encrypt your backups to keep them safe.
Use compression to save space and lower network use.
Check your backups often to make sure they work.
Limit who can use your backup software.
Review your backup rules and test restoring files sometimes.
Regular backups and smart sync choices help you get back storage space and keep your files safe.
Move or Remove Media and Attachments
Move to External Storage
Big media files, like 4K videos, fill up space fast. You can get more space by moving these files to an external hard drive. Here is how you can do it:
Open File Explorer and find the files in OneDrive.
Hold the CTRL key and click each file or folder you want.
Click "Copy to" and pick your external drive.
Check the external drive to see if all files copied.
Eject the drive safely before you unplug it.
Tip: Stop OneDrive syncing before you move files. This helps avoid errors or locked files. You can also stop OneDrive from starting up in Task Manager.
After you move your files, delete them from OneDrive to get more space. Be careful with folders like Documents or Pictures. OneDrive might try to sync them again after updates.
Remove Photos and Videos
Photos and videos use a lot of space, especially if they are high quality. One hour of 4K video can use over 100 GB. Regular photos use less space, but lots of them add up. Look in your Camera Roll and Videos folders. Delete old or extra files you do not need. If you have many big videos, think about paying for more space or use an external drive.
Manage Email Attachments
Email attachments can also take up space in OneDrive. Instead of sending files, share links from OneDrive. This keeps your emails smaller and safer. Use sharing links with permissions and set expiration dates. Encrypt important files before you share them. Many companies use these steps to keep data safe and follow rules. You can also set size limits for attachments to help your email work better.
Sharing links instead of attachments helps you save space and keeps your files safer.
You can get more space in OneDrive by emptying the recycle bin, deleting big files, using Files On-Demand, and changing sync settings. These steps are easy for anyone to do. Experts say you should check and clean your files often. You can do this every week, month, or year so you do not run out of space.
Look at your storage often with the OneDrive web app or admin center.
Sort your files and delete things you do not need.
Only upgrade your plan if you still need more space after cleaning up.
Keeping OneDrive tidy helps you stay organized and is good for the planet.
FAQ
How do you check your available OneDrive storage?
Go to OneDrive.com. Click the gear icon, then select Settings. Choose Storage. You will see a chart showing your used and available space.
What happens if you delete a file by mistake?
If you delete a file, OneDrive moves it to the Recycle Bin. You can restore it from there within 93 days. After that, OneDrive deletes it permanently.
Can you recover files after emptying the Recycle Bin?
No, you cannot recover files after you empty the Recycle Bin. Always double-check before you clear it. Important files should have backups outside OneDrive.
Why do some files still take up space after deleting them?
Deleted files stay in the Recycle Bin and still use storage. You need to empty the Recycle Bin to free up that space. Also, check for old file versions.
How do you stop OneDrive from syncing certain folders?
Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray. Select Settings > Account > Choose folders. Uncheck folders you do not want to sync. Click OK to save your changes.