Onedrive showing larger folder size than on disk.

Question

As above, OneDrive believes that a folder I just uploaded is 42.5GB whereas on my mac it shows up as 35.16GB.

I looked at a few other answers, but I don't think they apply. First, I use the web version, so I don't think the "file on demand" situation applies to me. Secondly, I just uploaded the files and did not edit them, so the storing of additional versions doesn't seem quite reasonable.

What could be going on to cause this discrepancy?

Answer 1

Hello. On your Mac, try this:

1. Right-click the folder.
2. Click Get Info.
3. Look at both: • Size • Size on disk

If the “Size” number is closer to 42 GB, then OneDrive is probably reporting the correct logical size, and macOS is just being more efficient with how it stores the data locally (thanks to APFS compression, cloning, or sparse files).

Answer 2

The discrepancy between the folder size reported by OneDrive and the size shown on your Mac could be due to several factors:

1. File Metadata and Attributes: OneDrive may include additional metadata or attributes that are not counted in the file size shown on your Mac. This can include information about file versions or other properties that OneDrive tracks.
2. File Versions: Even if you haven't edited the files, OneDrive may be storing previous versions or snapshots of the files, which can increase the reported size. This is especially true if the files are large or if there are many files in the folder.
3. Sync Issues: If there are any sync issues or delays, OneDrive might not have updated its size calculation accurately. It's worth checking if the sync is complete or if there are any pending uploads.
4. Hidden Files: There might be hidden files or system files that are included in OneDrive's size calculation but not visible on your Mac. These can sometimes take up significant space.
5. Temporary Files: Temporary files created during the upload process may also contribute to the size discrepancy until they are cleared.

If the issue persists, you might want to check the OneDrive settings or consult the OneDrive support documentation for further troubleshooting steps.