5 Ways to Free Up Space in OneDrive Quickly

OneDrive offers different storage limits for users, from as low as 5GB up to 100GB or even 1TB per user. However, once you hit that limit, you’ll be blocked from syncing or uploading files until you make some room.

With that in mind, here’s a look at how to free up space in OneDrive fast.

Method 1: Empty the Recycle Bin

When you delete something on a Windows computer, it goes to the recycle bin, but it doesn’t get fully deleted. If it’s synced with your OneDrive, it’ll still take up space until you remove it for good. So, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of emptying your recycle bin often.

Step 1. Open your Recycle Bin. You can either click the shortcut on your desktop, or search for “Recycle Bin” in the search bar and click the “Best Match.”

Step 2. Click “Empty Recycle Bin” and then “Yes” to confirm.

Method 2: Get Rid of Large Files

The fastest way to free up space in OneDrive is to focus on getting rid of large files that take up many MB or even several GB of space. By deleting just a few such files, you can give yourself loads of room to work with in an instant.

Step 1. Open up your OneDrive folders via the File Explorer in Windows.

Step 2. Click on the “Size” column to sort your files by size. Alternatively, you can click “Sort,” then find “More” and then select “Size” in the pop-out menu.

Step 3. Look through the largest files that appear at the top of the list. Find ones that perhaps you don’t need any more or have copies of elsewhere, and delete them using the trash can icon along the top menu.

Method 3: Delete Old Files

Perhaps you still need the larger files on your OneDrive. In that case, getting rid of older files that are no longer needed may be an easier way to free up space in OneDrive.

Step 1. Access your OneDrive folder in File Explorer.

Step 2. Sort your files by age by clicking the “Date” button or using the “Sort” menu.

Step 3. Look through the oldest files to find those you don’t need and delete them accordingly.

Method 4: Remove Multiple Versions of the Same File

Often, people accidentally save multiple copies or versions of the same file. The old copies usually end up being forgotten, but your OneDrive won’t forget them – it stores them all, and each one takes up space. Removing some of those unnecessary copies can help you free space.

Step 1. Access your OneDrive folder in File Explorer.

Step 2. Sort your files by name. Do that by clicking the “Name” column or using the “Sort” menu.

Step 3. Look through the list to find any copies or files that appear identical (open them in their relevant programs to double-check), and delete unnecessary ones.

Method 5: Move Files to a Computer Drive or External Storage Device

Another way to free up space in OneDrive quickly, but without deleting anything, is to simply move some of your files to another storage space. You could move them onto your computer’s hard drive, for example, or onto an external hard drive or USB drive.

Step 1. Go to OneDrive in File Explorer.

Step 2. Look through and use the “Sort” button to find files you want to take out of OneDrive. Focus on large files, like photos, videos, and audio files, to free up more space quickly. Move files by using “Cut” or “Ctrl” and “X” and then paste them elsewhere.

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