OneDrive Files On-Demand: Free Up Space or Always Keep on This Device
Files On-Demand shows every OneDrive file in File Explorer while keeping online-only files off your disk until you open them.
Why: Each file gets a status — online-only (a cloud icon, takes no space), locally available (downloaded after you opened it), or always available (kept on the device). You control which is which, so a small drive can still “contain” a huge OneDrive.
Fix 1: Turn Files On-Demand on
It’s on by default on current builds, but confirm it:
- Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area.
- Select the Help & Settings icon (gear) → Settings.
- Open the Sync and back up tab → expand Advanced settings.
- Make sure Files On-Demand is turned On.
Fix 2: Free up space (make files online-only)
To reclaim disk space without deleting anything:
- In File Explorer, right-click a file or folder → Free up space.
- The local copy is removed and the icon changes to a cloud (online-only). The file still exists in OneDrive and opens on demand when you have a connection.
Fix 3: Always keep a file on this device
For files you need offline (travel, no Wi-Fi):
- Right-click the file or folder → Always keep on this device.
- It downloads and shows a green circle with a white check. Marked items are also exempt from Storage Sense, so Windows won’t quietly switch them back to online-only.
Reading the icons
- Blue/white cloud — online-only; downloads when opened.
- Green outline check — locally available; downloaded after you opened it, removable with Free up space.
- Solid green circle with white check — always available; kept on the device.
FAQ
Does “Free up space” delete my file? No. It only removes the local copy. The file stays in OneDrive and re-downloads when you open it online.
Why is a file stuck online-only when I need it offline? Right-click it and choose Always keep on this device so it stays downloaded regardless of Storage Sense.
Sources: Microsoft Support — Save disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows