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How to free up space on OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud storage service offered by Microsoft that allows you to store, sync, and share files online. However, if you use OneDrive for a long time or upload many files, you may need to free up space to continue using it without any problems.

In this article, we will see how to free up space on OneDrive effectively by deleting unnecessary files and taking advantage of some features offered by the service itself.

How OneDrive works

Before we see how to free up space on OneDrive, it's important to understand how the service works. OneDrive allows you to store files online securely and access them from any device connected to the Internet. You can manually upload files or set up automatic synchronization between your computer and the cloud.

In addition, OneDrive also offers the ability to share files with other people via links or direct invitations. This way, you can collaborate in real-time on documents or simply share vacation photos with friends and family.

  • Note: The amount of space available on OneDrive depends on the plan chosen: free users have 5 GB of space while Office 365 subscribers can have up to 1 TB.

Analysis of used space

Before starting to delete files from your OneDrive account, it's important to understand how space is being used. You can do this by accessing the settings of your OneDrive account and selecting "Used Space." Here you'll see a detailed overview of how space is being used.

Types of files

In this section, you can see which types of files are taking up the most space on your OneDrive account. For example, you may discover that high-resolution videos or images are taking up most of the space.

Version history

OneDrive keeps several versions of your files for a certain period of time, depending on your account settings. In this section, you can see how many files have been saved as previous versions and how much space they occupy.

Recycle bin

Deleted files are not immediately removed from your OneDrive account but are instead moved to the recycle bin. In this section, you can see how many files are in the recycle bin and how much space they occupy. Remember that the recycle bin must be manually emptied to actually free up space.

Sharing

If you have shared files or folders with other people, these may also take up some of the available space on your OneDrive account. In this section, you can see how many files have been shared and how much space they occupy.

Deleting unnecessary files

One of the first things you can do to free up space on OneDrive is to delete files that you no longer need.

Start by searching for duplicate, old, or unnecessary files. For example, you may have images or documents that you have already saved elsewhere or that simply no longer interest you.

To do this, log in to your OneDrive account and select the folder where you want to search for files to delete. Then, use the search function to find the files you want to delete.

Remember: if you delete a file from OneDrive, it will also be deleted from your workspace and mobile device if you have synced the account.

In addition, you can use tools like CCleaner to delete temporary files and browser caches that take up space on your hard drive. This can help free up space on OneDrive and improve the overall performance of your computer.

  • Steps:
    • Search for duplicate, old or unnecessary files
    • Use the search function within the OneDrive folder
    • Delete selected files
    • Use tools like CCleaner to delete temporary files and browser caches

Organizing existing files

Before starting to delete duplicate or unnecessary files, it is important to organize those already present in your OneDrive account. This will help you easily identify which files you want to keep and which ones you can delete.

Create folders and subfolders

One of the first things to do is create a well-organized folder structure for your files. This will allow you to have an overview of the content of your OneDrive account and easily find what you are looking for.

You can create main folders for different categories of files (e.g., work documents, personal photos, music), and then create subfolders within these for further details (e.g., specific projects or events).

Rename files clearly and consistently

In addition, renaming files clearly and consistently can be helpful in quickly identifying them. For example, instead of leaving the file name as "IMG_1234.jpg", you could rename it as "Summer_2021_Vacation_Rimini_Beach.jpg".

Delete duplicate files

After organizing your files, it's time to delete any duplicates. You can do this manually or use a free online tool like Duplicate Cleaner or CCleaner.

Make sure to carefully check the duplicate files before deleting them, so as not to accidentally delete an important file or a more recent version of a document.

Delete unnecessary files

In addition to duplicate files, you probably also have some files that you no longer need. For example, you may have old photos or documents that you don't need to keep.

Before permanently deleting them, it's always a good idea to make a backup copy of important files on another device or different cloud service.

  • Remove all unnecessary documents and photos;
  • Delete old backups and obsolete folders;
  • Delete any temporary files or cache;
  • Empty the OneDrive Recycle Bin to free up space on your account.
  • By following these simple steps, you can effectively organize your existing files and free up valuable space on your OneDrive account.

    Using "Files on Demand"

    One of the most useful features of OneDrive for freeing up space on your local hard drive is "Files on Demand". This feature allows you to view all the files on OneDrive, but only download the ones you actually want to use.

    How to activate "Files on Demand"

    To activate this feature, follow these steps:

    1. Open the OneDrive application on your computer.
    2. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select "Options".
    3. In the "Files On-Demand" tab, select the option "Save space and download files as you use them" and save changes.

    How to use "Files on Demand"

    After activating the feature, you can access your files on OneDrive as you normally would. However, files will not automatically be downloaded onto your computer. Instead, you will see a gray cloud-shaped icon next to each file or folder that has not yet been downloaded.

    When you need to use a specific file or folder, simply double-click it. The file or folder will then be automatically downloaded onto your computer and available for offline use. If you no longer need to use a file or folder, you can simply delete it from your computer and it will remain available on OneDrive.

    By using "Files on Demand", you can free up space on your local hard drive without having to delete your important files. Additionally, this allows you to access your files anywhere you are, without worrying about physically having them with you.

    Conclusion

    Using OneDrive is essential for accessing your data quickly and efficiently. However, the space limit can be a problem. With features like "Files on Demand", you can free up space on your local hard drive without losing access to your important files. Follow the steps above and discover how easy it can be to manage your files on OneDrive.

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