How Do I Delete Files From OneDrive, but Not My Computer?, by Ask Leo! on YouTube. 7 min 52 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 52 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open File Explorer and find your OneDrive folder in the left sidebar. It usually shows your name or the OneDrive cloud icon.
Create a new folder outside OneDrive, for example C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Local Files. This is where your files will live without syncing.
Select the files you want to remove from OneDrive. Right-click and choose Cut, or press Ctrl+X.
Open your new local folder, right-click and choose Paste, or press Ctrl+V. The files move out of OneDrive and stay on your PC.
Wait for OneDrive to sync the change. The files will disappear from your OneDrive folder and from the cloud.
Sign in to onedrive.com in a browser and open the Recycle Bin in the left menu. Check the deleted files are listed there.
Empty the Recycle Bin if you want the files gone from OneDrive for good. They remain in your local folder on the PC.
If you want to stop syncing entirely, right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar, open Settings, then Account, and choose Unlink this PC.
Tips and common mistakes
Cut and paste moves files in one action, so you never end up with two copies.
Files deleted from the OneDrive folder also go to the online Recycle Bin, which keeps them for a limited time.
Unlinking OneDrive stops syncing but leaves your local files in place, so back them up first.
Check the OneDrive icon for sync errors before you assume a move has finished.
Questions
Will deleting a file in OneDrive delete it from my computer?
Yes, if the file is inside the synced OneDrive folder. The deletion syncs to your PC. Move the file to a folder outside OneDrive first if you want to keep it.
Can I get a file back after emptying the OneDrive Recycle Bin?
Only if you have another copy, such as your local folder or a backup. Once the online Recycle Bin is emptied, OneDrive cannot restore the file.
Does unlinking OneDrive delete my files?
No. Unlinking stops syncing and leaves the files on your PC. They simply stop updating to the cloud.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
