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How do I fully clear my OneDrive storage, without touching the original files & How to stop it happening again

Okay, look.
OneDrive is cool and all, but I -really- don't need it to be full of random stuff that I have lying around my computer. It simply refuses to let me Receive emails anymore, and I'd rather get an email from my bank over potential frauds, than store the 100 odd random videos I have lying in a memes folder. I don't even know why it functions like that, because there's absolutely no reason why email storage and backup storage should be linked. Honestly, Apple of all people has a better grip on this. - And they've been releasing the same software and hardware for the past 5 years.

I want to know how to completely wipe it clean, and how to stop it backing up stuff that I haven't asked it to.

I know it puts my data at risk, and I frankly don't care. I just don't want to give Microsoft more money for some virtual storage, when I have 900GB on a storage drive that's perfectly fine

Thanks.

Hi. Jack Middleton.

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

Understand that you are having problems with OneDrive. I know exactly how you feel right now.

1-> About clearing memory

It simply refuses to let me Receive emails anymore :

The email storage takes up your Outlook storage space (50GB) and the email attachments take up OneDrive storage space, currently you need to confirm which space is full resulting in the inability to receive emails, if you can't confirm it, you can share the screenshot of the error report with me.

2->About turning off automatic backup of OneDrive

store the 100 odd random videos I have lying in a memes folder：

In this case you may have turned on the OneDrive automatic backup feature, you can follow the steps below to check it:

  1. Open OneDrive settings (select the OneDrive cloud icon in your notification area, and then select the OneDrive Help and Settings icon  then Settings.)

  2. Go to the Sync and back up tab.

  3. Select Manage Back up.

After completing the above operations, you can see the folder you automatically backed up, close the folder button (then select Save changes.) to prevent the contents of the folder from being automatically backed up and uploaded to your OneDrive, to avoid taking up additional storage space on your OneDrive then.

Also, to free up space on your OneDrive, we recommend emptying your Recycle Bin after deleting files. (Be sure to back up important files)

Please feel free to reply if there is any progress.

 

Hannah.Z- MSFT |Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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Last updated March 21, 2025 Views 2,167 Applies to: