Great. I need help with OneDrive and I get Community instead.

Question

Nothing against you guys, but I've had a lot of problems in the past getting answers to software problems because no one in the community knows the answers and there's no real company support.

Oh, well. Hope I didn't put my foot somewhere it doesn't belong.

Okay, here's the problem. Several months ago, I am continuing getting notifications from OneDrive I am over my limit. It suddenly happened. I had signed up with the freebie and now I am over 2000% over my limit.

Yesterday, using the 'so-called' help files I deleted several files to around 5 gigs, maybe. (It wouldn't tell me the actual amount that was still there.) I was just about to delete all files in my desktop trash bin and found all of those files had gone into it. Plus, a large majority of the files and folders on my desktop disappeared.

So, twice now I have restored the files in the bin, and they went back onto my desktop AND into OneDrive. Right now, it has about 56 gigs. I was about to sign up for the first package of 100 gig storage and saw I still have even more files that needs to be restored onto my desktop (which will also be added to OneDrive). I have no idea what to do. Microsoft help file don't help at all.

What can I do here. Right now, all of my Daz Studio files are on OneDrive and if I delete those, they will all disappear. If I understand the 'not-so-helpful files', if I unsync OneDrive then Daz won't have access to those files.

If I restore all the files in my trash bin it will be up over 2000% overflowing again (I bet). Any idea out there what I can do?

All help will be greatly appreciated.

(And I have no idea how to use the tags from the AI. There are not instructions for it.)

Answer 1

when your OneDrive storage limit is exceeded, new files won't be saved. To fix this

1. Delete files: Go to OneDrive website and permanently delete unnecessary large files
2. Clean the Trash Bin: Empty the recycle bin on your computer or OneDrive, otherwise the space will not be freed up
3. Increase storage: If the files are important, you may need to purchase an additional storage plan.

Answer 2

You can turn off the backup of your default folders in the Manage Backup settings, which will allow you to remove your files from the OneDrive folder located at ThisPC > C: > Users > username > OneDrive.

See the videos here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/back-up-your-folders-with-onedrive-d61a7930-a6fb-4b95-b28a-6552e77c3057

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt42NJkFqF8

Avoiding the Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos folders will ensure you a cloud-free life, but it's not always convenient, especially when apps dump their files there. Here's a video you might like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yXgyrsqraE

The other option to get out of this mess is to purchase a Microsoft 365 plan. You can get a free trial with Microsoft 365 Basic: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage-trial

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/onedrive-plans-and-pricing

Answer 3

The desktop files are being stored in OneDrive because the Desktop folder is currently synced to OneDrive. Deleting or restoring them from the Recycle Bin affects both locations, which is why the files keep moving between the desktop and OneDrive and why storage is far over quota.

To get back under the OneDrive limit and keep the files locally on the PC, the approach is:

1. Stop using OneDrive as the storage location for large Daz Studio files
   Move the Daz Studio content folders from OneDrive to a local folder that is not synced by OneDrive (for example, a folder directly on C: that is not under Desktop/Documents/Pictures if those are synced).
   After moving, update Daz Studio’s content/library paths to point to the new local folder so the app no longer depends on OneDrive copies.
2. Reduce OneDrive storage usage
   OneDrive storage includes:
   • Files and folders stored in OneDrive
   • Items in the OneDrive Recycle Bin
   To get under quota:
   1. Sign in to OneDrive on the web.
   2. Select the Storage used link in the lower left corner. This shows largest files.
   3. Delete large files and folders that are no longer needed from OneDrive.
   4. Select Empty your recycle bin in OneDrive so deleted items stop counting against the quota.
3. Understand what happens when over quota or frozen
   When the OneDrive storage quota is exceeded:
   • Uploading, editing, or syncing new files is blocked.
   • Existing files remain but are read-only.
     If Microsoft storage is exceeded for a long time, the account can be frozen and, after several months, OneDrive and its files may be deleted and become non-recoverable.
4. If there are multiple Microsoft accounts
   If storage emails or over-quota notices are going to an address that does not match the main sign-in, there may be an additional Microsoft account (for example, created long ago or via another service). In that case:
   • Sign in with the other account and check its OneDrive storage.
   • Download and/or delete files there and empty its OneDrive Recycle Bin if that account is the one over quota.
5. If choosing to buy storage
   Buying more storage is optional. It only increases cloud storage; it does not change local disk space. If large app libraries (like Daz Studio content) are kept locally instead of in OneDrive, the free quota is usually sufficient.

If no files can be deleted safely and OneDrive must keep all of them online, then purchasing additional storage is the only way to remain within quota without removing content.

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References:

• My OneDrive says it's full
• What does it mean when your OneDrive account is frozen?
• Microsoft storage FAQs
• Why did I get a message saying my files will be erased?