


Like deleting a file on your computer, this will send it to the OneDrive recycle bin. Select Delete, then confirm the deletion in the popup window. When you find the file you want to delete, tap the three-dot menu button next to it.

On the OneDrive app, either search for the file or press the Files tab to browse your folders. To fully delete the file, both of these will need to be emptied (more on that below).Īlternatively, you may be managing your files from a smartphone or other mobile device. Additionally, the OneDrive cloud copy will be moved to the cloud recycle bin. If you have a local copy of the file, it will be moved to your computer’s recycle bin. Just select the file and press the delete key or right-click and select the delete option. Whether using a PC or a Mac, you can delete files simply by navigating to the OneDrive folder and deleting the file as you would a regular local file. This can give team members a chance to indicate that they need a file while still helping to clear out your OneDrive storage. One excellent option is to create a folder to hold files that have been selected for removal. Thus, it is worth taking a moment to get organized before you start deleting. Keep in mind that if your team is accessing shared OneDrive files, you could be erasing them for everyone. Getting Ready To Delete Filesīefore you delete any files, you will need to determine which files you want to remove.

If you don’t need the file again, you may consider removing it from the OneDrive cloud (of course, business teams should always consider backing up old data unless it is genuinely unnecessary). If you are only trying to free up space on your device’s local storage, you shouldn’t delete the cloud copy. You can delete them from OneDrive itself or just remove the local copy of the file. However, there is one important distinction to make when dealing with OneDrive files. Thus, most people will be familiar with the process. However, Microsoft has created a file management system similar to the File Explorer app on Windows. What Happens When You Delete Files on Microsoft OneDrive?Īt first, you may expect deleting files from Microsoft OneDrive to be complicated because the files may be on multiple computers, smartphones and other devices as well as the cloud. However, if you are storing files on Microsoft OneDrive and your cloud storage is filling up, what should you do? Can you simply delete files that are synced to the cloud, or is the process more complex? Learning a few basics of file management in OneDrive can help you get more from your cloud storage. When you are close to filling your computer’s storage, you may look for some old files that you no longer need so that you can delete them.
