How to Delete Files from Computer but not OneDrive

• User Cases
• Can I Delete Files from PC but Keep on OneDrive?
• Delete Files from Computer but not OneDrive [3 Ways]
• Bonus Tip: Backup OneDrive Files to Another Cloud via MultCloud
• Conclusion
• FAQs

User Cases

Case 1 from Microsoft Community: I'm attempting to find a way to remove files from my PC without losing them on OneDrive. I keep OneDrive sync enabled consistently, but my objective is to create additional space on the compact SSD in my computer. In the past, deleting files from the PC has also resulted in their removal from the OneDrive cloud.

Case 2 from Reddit: I can remove OneDrive folders or files from my computer, but I don't want the cloud itself to lose them. How can I accomplish that? Should I try deleting the files on my computer after stopping syncing?

Can I Delete Files from PC but Keep on OneDrive?

OneDrive is a cloud-based file hosting service that allows users to store files and access them from various devices with an internet connection. The synchronization feature refers to the process of keeping your files and data synchronized between your local device and Microsoft's cloud storage service, OneDrive.

To delete files from computer but leave on OneDrive, there are 3 ways that you can choose:

You can choose the most suitable way to try and the following part will show you the specific steps of these 3 ways respectively.

Delete Files from Computer but not OneDrive [3 Ways]

The upper part only briefly gives some short introductions to the 3 ways. You can learn how to remove items from desktop without deleting from OneDrive here with detailed steps.

Way 1: By "Unlink this PC"

Step 1: Click the OneDrive icon on your desktop and sign in.

Step 2: Select the settings icon and choose "Settings" in the menu.

Step 3: Navigate to the "Account" page and tap "Unlink this PC" under your profile. Then click "Unlink account" in the pop-up window. After that, any changes to your computer files will not be synced to OneDrive.

Step 4: Open File Explorer and delete the files by pressing the "Delete" button on your keyboard.

Way 2: By "Free up space"

"Free up space" is a feature of OneDrive Files On-Demand. With this feature, the selected files or folders will be kept on OneDrive, not your PC. 

Step 1: Navigate to the OneDrive folder in File Explorer.

Step 2: Choose the file that you want to delete from the computer and right-click on it. Then choose "Free up space" in the dropdown menu. Now, this file is not on your PC but only on OneDrive.

Way 3: By Removing Folders

Step 1: Click the OneDrive icon on your desktop and sign in.

Step 2: Select the settings icon and choose "Settings" in the menu.

Step 3: Navigate to the "Account" page and click the "Choose folders" button. Then uncheck the OneDrive folders that you want to delete from your computer and click "OK". These folders will still be kept on OneDrive.

Bonus Tip: Backup OneDrive Files to Another Cloud via MultCloud

When you try the upper methods to delete files from computer but not OneDrive, it is possible to accidentally delete files in OneDrive. Therefore, to better protect your files and avoid data loss, it is recommended to back up your OneDrive files to another place before deleting them. If you also use another cloud storage service or have another OneDrive account, you can choose to back up to a cloud destination. To facilitate an automatic file transfer process, MultCloud can do you a favor.

MultCloud is a free cloud-managing service and offers multiple functions for you to transfer files between clouds, such as Cloud Transfer, Cloud Sync, Team Transfer, and Cloud Backup.

If you are prone to restoring the backups to OneDrive in the future, Cloud Backup is the best choice.

Step 1: Get started with a MultCloud account when you enter its website.

Step 2: Click "Add Cloud" and the cloud icons to add OneDrive and another cloud (Dropbox for example) to MultCloud.

Step 3: Select "Cloud Backup" and then choose OneDrive in the left box and Dropbox in the right box. Then tap "Backup Now" to initiate this task.

Step 4: If you want to restore files, click "Task List" and find the backup task. Then select the settings icon and choose “Restore”. In the restore settings, you can choose a preferred version of these files to restore and where to save them.

★As mentioned before, MultCloud has more functions that you can use in different cloud file transfer tasks.:

Email Migration: Convert multiple emails into PDF files and save them to the cloud with attachments at once.

Image Saver: Save Instagram, website, and Google Search images to the local or cloud in batches.

Shares: Securely share encrypted files or folders with others, as well as let external users upload files to the shared folder without accounts.

Remote Upload: Conveniently upload files to the cloud with a link, magnet, or torrent.

Video Downloader: Download videos from YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, or over 1000 websites for free.

Instagram Downloader: Save pictures, reels, stories, or highlights from Instagram to a local place or cloud storage.

Conclusion

This post outlined 3 effective methods to delete files from computer but not OneDrive. Additionally, a brand-new backup way, using MultCloud Cloud Backup, was explored, offering you a comprehensive strategy for managing your digital assets seamlessly and securely.

Besides, if you also use Outlook, you may try MultCloud Email Migration to backup your Outlook emails to OneDrive. The emails can be automatically converted into PDF format and then saved to OneDrive in bulk with or without attachments.

FAQs

 How do I remove OneDrive from my computer but not OneDrive?

If you do not want to use OneDrive anymore, you can unlink OneDrive from your PC. For some Windows versions, you cannot uninstall OneDrive. However, you can hide it after unlinking: navigate to the OneDrive folder in File Explorer > right-click on it > choose "Properties" > check the "Hidden" option in "General".

How do I unlink OneDrive and delete files?

► To unlink OneDrive: Go to OneDrive Settings > navigate to "Account" > click "Unlink this PC" > tap "Unlink account".

► To delete OneDrive files: Go to the OneDrive website and choose the files to delete.

How do I keep files on my computer but not OneDrive?

There are 3 ways to remove files from OneDrive but not PC:

• Move the folder from OneDrive to another local place.
• Unlink OneDrive from your PC.
• Stop syncing the specific folder with OneDrive.

If I delete a file on my computer will it delete from OneDrive?

If your OneDrive always keeps syncing with the computer, the files you deleted on your PC will be deleted in OneDrive since they are updated in real time. If you do not want to delete them on OneDrive, you can refer to the methods above.

Why are all my computer files on OneDrive?

Your computer files may be on OneDrive if you have configured OneDrive for automatic syncing. This ensures your files are accessible across devices and are backed up in the cloud for easy retrieval and sharing.

How do I clean up my computer with OneDrive?

To clean up your computer with OneDrive, delete unnecessary files or folders in your local OneDrive folder. This frees up space on your device while ensuring files remain accessible online. Use the OneDrive settings to selectively sync files for efficient storage management.