How do I utilize OneDrive for freeing up storage space?


  1. Posts : 27
    Windows 10
       #1

    How do I utilize OneDrive for freeing up storage space?


    I have a lot of photos on Dropbox and wanted to switch them over to OneDrive, as my Dropbox was full and I have unlimited OneDrive space so I may as well utilize it, but after moving everything over, all the photos are showing up in the OneDrive folder in Windows Explorer. The folder is taking up the same amount of space as what I had saved to Dropbox. What is the point of OneDrive cloud space if I have to download everything to my desktop anyway? Please help, there has to be something I'm missing
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #2

    Once everything is uploaded to OneDrive you can right click on the onedrive icon in your taskbar and select "settings". Open the "Account" tab then "choose folders" and deselect the folders you want only in the cloud. This will delete them from your PC but leave them on OneDrive.

    How do I utilize OneDrive for freeing up storage space?-capture.png

    It would probably be a good idea to make a local copy also.

    See this though regarding unlimited storage... MS Downgrades free Onedrive storage, ends unlimited for Office 365 - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    Right click the OneDrive icon in notification area, select Settings:

    How do I utilize OneDrive for freeing up storage space?-2015_11_06_10_30_241.png

    Select the Account tab, click Choose folders:

    How do I utilize OneDrive for freeing up storage space?-2015_11_06_10_32_192.png

    Unselect Sync all files and folders in my OneDrive, then manually select only those folders you want to keep synced under Sync these folders only. Leave all unselected if you do not want any of the OneDrive content being synced to your local computer:

    How do I utilize OneDrive for freeing up storage space?-2015_11_06_10_36_393.png


    Kari
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 27
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks guys!!!

    What would happen if I chose "unlink onedrive"? Could I not then use onedrive from my browser like a separate entity?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #5

    Abc123 said:
    Thanks guys!!!

    What would happen if I chose "unlink onedrive"? Could I not then use onedrive from my browser like a separate entity?
    Exactly the opposite: you could then use OneDrive only from browser. If you are sure you will never sync your files to local PC, this is a good option.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 27
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Kari said:
    Exactly the opposite: you could then use OneDrive only from browser. If you are sure you will never sync your files to local PC, this is a good option.
    Great, this is what I will do, thanks so much
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,068
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    Abc123 said:
    What is the point of OneDrive cloud space if I have to download everything to my desktop anyway? Please help, there has to be something I'm missing
    The point is two fold.

    First, you end up with a second copy of your data, one on your computer and one in the cloud. So, its like a backup.

    Second, having the second copy locally means that you can edit files and such even when you are not online.

    In your case, if saving space is what you need, then doing what is suggested above is the right way to accomplish that task.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #8

    What would happen if I chose "unlink onedrive"? Could I not then use onedrive from my browser like a separate entity?
    This is exactly what I did. So might as well disable onedrive from Startup in your PC: one less process to run a startup.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 27
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    topgundcp said:
    This is exactly what I did. So might as well disable onedrive from Startup in your PC: one less process to run a startup.
    Good idea, thanks a lot
      My Computer


 

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