How to free up disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand
2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026
In File Explorer, open your OneDrive folder, right-click a file or folder and choose Free up space. The file stays in OneDrive and is still listed on the PC with a blue cloud icon, but it no longer takes up room on the drive. It downloads again when you open it.
Files On-Demand shows everything in your OneDrive in File Explorer without keeping all of it on the PC. Files you have not opened wait in the cloud. That lets a laptop with a small drive browse a large library of photos and documents.
These steps are for Windows 11.
Step by step
Read the status icons
A blue cloud: the file is online only and uses no space on the PC. A green tick in a white circle: the file was opened and is now stored on the PC. It can be freed again. A solid green circle with a white tick: you marked the file Always keep on this device.
Free up space
Right-click a file or folder in your OneDrive folder and choose Free up space. The icon changes to the blue cloud.
Keep important files offline
Right-click a file or folder and choose Always keep on this device. Do this for things you need without internet, for example on a flight.
Check that Files On-Demand is on
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area of the taskbar, open its settings, go to Sync and back up, expand Advanced settings and switch on Files On-Demand. On current versions of Windows 11 it is on by default.
Let Windows do it for you
Storage Sense can turn files you have not opened for a while into online-only files by itself: how to turn on Storage Sense on Windows 11.
Good to know
Deleting is not the same as freeing up space. If you delete an online-only file on the PC, it is deleted from OneDrive on all your devices. It can be restored from the OneDrive recycle bin for 30 days on a personal account and 93 days on a work or school account.
Online-only files cannot be opened without an internet connection.
Moving a file out of the OneDrive folder downloads it first and then removes it from OneDrive.
More ways to make room: how to free up disk space on Windows 11. What ends up in OneDrive in the first place: how to back up a Windows 11 PC with Windows Backup.
In short: Right-click in the OneDrive folder, Free up space for online-only, Always keep on this device for offline. Blue cloud means online only. Deleting removes the file everywhere.
- Microsoft Support: Save disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows
Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.