How to switch things from getting stored in cloud to laptop's storage

Nardin Bassem 20 Reputation points
2026-09-06T13:44:32.6333333+00:00

I got this laptop that is 1 Tera for me to be able to store things freely, yet the laptop is storing things on the cloud and telling me that cloud storage is full. How do I stop things from getting stored on the cloud?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage
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Answer accepted by question author
EmilyS726 264.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-09-06T14:20:19.43+00:00

In order for us to sort all of these out, it is necessary (just for now) to get OneDrive desktop app back up and running.

To do so, go to your Start menu and see if you already have the OneDrive app installed. If so, go ahead and run it, sign in. If you don't have it installed, you will need to download it, install it back and then set it up. You can download it from here: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/onedrive/download

Once you have the OneDrive app up and running again, please follow these steps closely:

  1. Right click on the OneDrive cloud icon on the lower right on your taskbar to go to Settings.
  2. On the "Sync and Backup" tab, click on "Advanced Settings" to expand that section. Then under File On-Demand, click on "Download all files".
  3. Give it plenty of time to allow the files to be downloaded from the online cloud. On your computer's file explorer, you can observe the OneDrive folder and its folders/files inside. You want all of the green checkmark icon to turn solid green with a white checkmark. Depends on how many files you have, this process can take a while, so please be patient.
  4. Once all of the folders and files turn into the solid green icon with white checkmark, you can go back to OneDrive Settings. Very important - click on "Manage Backup" button, then turn off all folders listed there.
  5. After you turn off the folders sync in Step 4, now go to Account tab, click on "Unlink this PC"
  6. Go to your Windows Settings > Apps, find OneDrive and uninstall it.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-06T13:44:47.2833333+00:00

    This is usually caused by OneDrive folder backup being turned on, so files from common folders like Desktop, Documents, or Pictures are being saved in OneDrive instead of only on the laptop.

    To stop that:

    1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
    2. Open Settings.
    3. Go to Sync and backup > Manage backup.
    4. Turn off backup for the folders that should stay only on the laptop.

    If files were already redirected into OneDrive, they may appear to be missing from the usual folders, but they are typically still inside the OneDrive folder on the PC. Move those files from the OneDrive folder back into local folders if needed.

    If the goal is to stop OneDrive from syncing this PC entirely:

    1. Open the OneDrive cloud icon > Settings.
    2. Go to Account.
    3. Select Unlink this PC.

    To reduce the current cloud storage usage:

    1. Sign in to OneDrive.
    2. Open Manage your OneDrive storage to see what is taking space.
    3. Empty the Recycle Bin and delete files that are no longer needed.

    Important:

    • Files moved out of the OneDrive folder are no longer backed up in OneDrive.
    • If OneDrive storage stays over quota, files become read-only, and after 6 months over quota, OneDrive files may be deleted and become non-recoverable.
    • If local disk space is the concern, Storage Sense can make OneDrive files online-only again without permanently deleting them. In Windows, go to Start > search Storage settings > turn on Storage Sense.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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