I don't want onedrive files synced locally.

Question

I'm working as a kitchen designer for one company whilst also subcontracting for other companys. For the main company I upload my projects to onedrive and for outside jobs I manually send them via email. I am able to upload projects to the onedrive no problem but now all files/documents/pictures have been synced on my new computer.

Is there a way I can stay connected to the one drive but remove all unwanted files from outside sources.

Answer 1

Hi @NEW VIEW GRANITE JAX

Yes. If the files are coming from your company's OneDrive and you still need access to them, the best option is usually to keep the OneDrive account connected but stop storing all files locally on your PC.

Option 1: Use OneDrive "Files On-Demand"

This keeps the files visible in File Explorer but removes the local copies from your computer.

Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray > Select Settings > Sync and backup (or Settings depending on your version), make sure Files On-Demand is enabled > Navigate to the OneDrive folders that you don't need locally > Right-click the folder and select Free up space.

The files will:

-Remain in OneDrive.

-Still appear in File Explorer.

-Download automatically only when you open them.

-Free up disk space on your computer.

Option 2: Stop Syncing Specific Libraries or Shared Folders

If some folders are synced from SharePoint or shared company locations:

Click the OneDrive icon > Settings > Account > Look for synced locations under Your synced folders >Choose Stop sync for folders/libraries you don't need on the new computer > This removes them from the PC but leaves everything intact online.

Option 3: Remove Outside Job Files from OneDrive

If the "outside source" files were accidentally copied into your OneDrive folder, simply deleting them from the OneDrive folder will delete them from the cloud as well, so be careful.

Instead:

Create a separate folder on your PC that is outside the OneDrive directory > Move your subcontracting projects there. Future outside jobs can be stored in that separate location and emailed manually as before.

I hope this information helps.