How to Free Up Disk Space with OneDrive in Windows 11
OneDrive Files On-Demand is a Windows 11 feature that keeps your files in the cloud instead of on your hard drive. All your cloud items still show up in File Explorer , but Windows does not download the actual files until you need them.
Say you store several gigabytes of photos online. They use almost no space on your PC until you open a specific picture, and only then does Windows download it . Your drive stops filling up with files you rarely touch, which matters most on a small SSD. This guide shows how to turn the feature on, how to free space on one file or on everything, and how to read the status icons.
Right-click the OneDrive icon in your taskbar , select Help & Settings, then Settings. Navigate to Sync and backup, expand Advanced settings, and click Free up disk space. Alternatively, right-click any file or folder in File Explorer and select Free up space.
What Happens When You Free Up Disk Space?
When you free up space, Windows deletes the local copy of a file and keeps the original safe in your OneDrive cloud storage. The file name stays in File Explorer , so you can still see it and open it whenever you like.
This is not the same as deleting the file. If you delete a file inside your OneDrive folder, it goes to the Recycle Bin and is removed from the cloud and your other synced devices too. Free up space only removes the copy on this PC.
Understanding OneDrive Files On-Demand Status Icons
The status icon next to each item in File Explorer shows whether that item uses space on your drive. The chart below explains each indicator. In short, a cloud outline means the file is online only and uses almost no space. A green check means a copy is stored on this PC.
| Icon | Meaning | Storage Used |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud | Online-only | None |
| Green Check | Locally available | Yes |
| Solid Green Check | Always keep on this device | Yes |
How to Use Files On-Demand to Free Up Disk Space
Files On-Demand lets you see all your cloud files in File Explorer without using up space on your hard drive. To free up disk space that OneDrive files are using, open the OneDrive settings from your taskbar , go to the Sync and backup tab, and click the Free up disk space button. This turns your synced files into cloud-only files.
The button works on everything in your OneDrive folder at once, so it frees the most space but is also the biggest change. If you only want to clear a few large folders, use the per-file method later in this guide instead. Cloud-only files need an internet connection to open, so keep that in mind for laptops you take offline.
- Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar . If you do not see it, click the up arrow (Show hidden icons) at the left of the system tray first. A small menu opens with OneDrive options.
- Select Help & Settings, then click Settings. The OneDrive Settings window opens.
- Go to the Sync and backup tab. You will see your folder backup options and a list of further settings below them.
- Expand Advanced settings. The Files On-Demand options appear, including the buttons for freeing up space.
- Click the Free up disk space button. Windows may ask you to confirm, so read the prompt and accept it. OneDrive then removes the local copies, and your files show the cloud icon in File Explorer . Files you marked as always kept on this device may be treated differently, so check them afterwards.
On a work or school account, your organization may control some of these options, and a setting can be greyed out or missing. In that case, ask your IT administrator.
How to Revert ‘Always keep on this device’ Status
You can also put individual files or folders back into cloud-only status once you no longer need them offline. This also works to undo the Always keep on this device setting. Open File Explorer , right-click the file or folder, and select Free up space. The local copy is deleted and the online version stays safe.
This is the better choice when only a few large folders, such as old videos or photo archives, take most of the space. The folders in your OneDrive location in File Explorer are the ones that offer this option. Folders outside OneDrive do not.
- Open File Explorer (Win+E), then click your OneDrive folder in the left pane. Your synced files and folders appear with their status icons.
- Right-click the folder or file. You can select several items first by holding Ctrl while you click.
- Select Free up space from the menu. If you do not see it in the Windows 11 menu, choose Show more options and look there. Windows removes the local copy and the status icon changes.
A cloud badge appears beside the item name once the transition completes. If you later need the file offline, right-click it and choose Always keep on this device. Opening a cloud-only file also downloads it, but Windows may remove it again later if you have storage-saving options turned on.
Troubleshooting Missing OneDrive Settings
Missing menu options, such as no Free up space entry or no Files On-Demand settings, usually mean you need to update OneDrive. Also make sure you are signed in and that OneDrive is running, because the right-click options only appear for files inside a synced OneDrive folder. Updating the software resolves most integration snags. For persistent storage errors, visit the official Microsoft support page.
Summary
Keeping heavy folders cloud-only through Files On-Demand reduces the load on your drive and keeps sync lighter. Your PC stays less cluttered, your files stay available in File Explorer, and you can bring any file back to your device whenever you need it.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
[…] If you want to save space later, you can upload files back to OneDrive and remove local copies. Learn more on how to free up disk space with OneDrive. […]