OneDrive problems

Ed Kroning 20 Reputation points
2026-08-10T19:33:47.86+00:00

My storage in full on my one drive account. I was trying to stop the sync process and delete the files that were already backed up from my one drive account. Instead it deleted the files from my laptop and now I am unable to restore them. Also before I was unable to copy photos from my phone to my laptop because one drive was full. Why can't I copy files between 2 devices with out having to back it up to the cloud? This problem is what caused this issue in the first place.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | Windows
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AI answer

2026-08-10T19:34:05.7133333+00:00

When OneDrive storage is full, OneDrive can no longer upload, edit, or sync new files, and existing files become read-only. That is why file movement involving folders that are being synced by OneDrive can fail even if the PC itself still has local disk space.

For the current issue:

  1. Sign in to OneDrive on the web and check the Recycle Bin.
    • If the deleted files are there, select them and choose Restore.
    • If many files were deleted by mistake, restoring from the OneDrive Recycle Bin is the supported recovery path.
  2. Get back under the storage quota.
    • In OneDrive on the web, open Storage used or Manage your OneDrive storage.
    • Review the largest files.
    • Delete files that are no longer needed.
    • Empty the Recycle Bin, because Recycle Bin items also count against the quota.
    • If needed, buy more storage.
  3. If the files are still on the PC in the OneDrive folder and sync is working again, let OneDrive finish syncing before making more changes.
  4. If the goal is to stop syncing files from the PC:
    • Open the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
    • Go to Settings > Account.
    • Use Choose folders to stop syncing unwanted folders to the computer.
    • If needed, use Pause syncing and then Quit OneDrive.
    • To stop using the account on that PC, go to Settings > Account > Unlink this PC.

Important detail: files inside the OneDrive folder are part of OneDrive sync. Deleting or moving them there can also remove them from synced locations. Files stored outside the OneDrive folder do not have that sync relationship.

About copying photos between phone and laptop: OneDrive is not required for direct device-to-device copying. The problem described happened because the files were being handled inside OneDrive-synced folders, so OneDrive storage limits affected those actions.

If OneDrive shows a deletion warning such as files being erased on a date, sign in before that date and make sure the account is back under the storage limit.

References:

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  1. Craig Long 18,630 Reputation points
    2026-08-10T22:18:45.4833333+00:00

    I would subscribe to the free trial of Microsoft 365, which will increase the cloud storage to 1 TB and give you plenty of room to restore files from the Recycle Bin.

    Then, when the free trial ends, decide whether to continue the subscription.

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/try

    Or you can try the less expensive Microsoft 365 Basic trial: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/onedrive/online-cloud-storage-trial

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  2. Ed Kroning 20 Reputation points
    2026-08-10T19:40:15.35+00:00

    When I try to restore from the recycle bin it just spins.

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