By Randy
Categorized under Blog
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Nowadays, people prefer to make work delivery faster through the means of sending messages through e-mail. The hard copies of documents from before are lessened thanks to e-mails as well because you can transfer the files to people in just a few seconds. With the improvement of technology over time, cloud services became many powerful versions of e-mails in terms of transferring files. OneDrive is one of those services that can transfer files efficiently as it can also save storage space. But are there times where it takes up space on the computer?
OneDrive can take up space on your computer depending on the settings of the files saved in it. There are different ways on how OneDrive works in storing files, as well as using your computer’s storage space to back up your files in a better way.
To understand this user-friendly, yet complex app for your file storing and transferring needs, I will teach you everything I have learned so far when it comes to using Microsoft OneDrive. I will share my overall experience in using the app to keep my files, as well as sync it with the computer for a stronger means to back up the stuff if don’t want to delete it.
Table of Contents
How Much Space Does OneDrive Take?
Every day in my work life, there are multiple documents and other files on the computer that I transfer and receive at the same time since I work for a huge software company. All of these were saved in a Microsoft OneDrive, which enabled me to share files with utmost efficiency.
It is such a challenge to send receive a myriad of files with such a small amount of storage space. Additionally, your computer surely has a lot of apps and large files that you do not prefer deleting as you need to keep or use them for a long time. But as time passes, adding more files also occurs since we have so much to keep and use for our work.
This is where cloud storages play a huge role in saving you storage space simply by uploading your files.
First, you should need to understand how cloud storage works before you realize how much space it may take. Cloud storage is a type of system where your data is stored through a server that contains cloud storage. Different services provide this storage such as Server Space and Microsoft Azure.
This grants you the capability of accessing your file storage like how you access the files in your hard drive. However, you can only access this if you have an account for the cloud storage, as well as an internet connection.
Thanks to the wonders of cloud storage, it has greatly helped numerous businesses and companies because it can help store files, especially when cutting costs for PCs. Even servers that are used to establish a network within the office can now be done with a cloud storage system.
It also saved a lot of employees from trouble because they can back up their files, and leave them there for a very long time without any risk of corruption or virus infection.
Microsoft OneDrive is one of those popular cloud storage services widely used around the world. It provides you 5GB worth of free storage space so then you can save your most important files and documents with ease. This is also accessible on almost any device, making it extremely versatile, and allows you to transfer files between your devices.
The Premium service of Microsoft OneDrive can provide up to 6TB worth of storage, but of course, you need to pay a subcription for it.
Using OneDrive is best if you have a computer, particularly a Windows PC since it is originally intended for computers than smartphones. But nowadays, you can go ahead and use it on your mobile device for an easier means to access your files if you are away from your keyboard.
OneDrive does not take up too much storage space; most of the time, it is only the program itself that uses up a little bit of space just for your PC to easily execute the app.
There are also instances where it might use more space on your computer, but only if you are syncing your files on the computer and not placing them directly on the OneDrive. This will be discussed in much detail as I explain OneDrive further.
Does OneDrive Take Up Space On My Computer?
In contrast to OneDrive being one of the best tools that can help you save storage space on your PC, it can still take up space on your computer. Syncing is a feature present in a lot of apps, which lets you connect an account or a part of an app to another app that is “sync-able” with it.
OneDrive uses storage on your computer when you enable certain options in it such as saving office files offline on your OneDrive. Offline saving is a feature where you can get a copy of the files you saved in the Drive so then you can access them even when offline. So when operating your OneDrive on any device, be sure to check if your files are not saved offline.
Why Does OneDrive Take Up Disk Space On PC?
OneDrive takes space on your PC if you save files offline as it creates a copy of a backed-up file on a designated device where you enabled it. If your device is on and is also connected to the OneDrive as of the moment, files you save online will get saved offline as well.
If this is neglected, it may surprise you with the amount of data that it has consumed on your storage drive already.
Back then, this feature found in cloud storage systems are stressful and can be very bothersome at most times. All of your files will be automatically copied to your PC if you use cloud storage before. What’s worse is that if you are sharing cloud storage with a group of people, the files they save will sync to your PC as well, adding up more unnecessary space.,
To prevent this, updates were made over time to completely change the cloud system into how convenient it is as of today. This issue was permanently resolved, and you won’t have to worry about the files your friends shared if you ever deleted them. The update made sure that all files will always remain in the online cloud storage.
Does Deleting From OneDrive Delete From Computer?
If your files are synced to the OneDrive, deleting files from the app will also delete the files found in your computer, other devices, or vice-versa. Your files in the computer are synced to the Drive for you to have a fast means to share it online. You can still transfer them to the Drive instead so then you can delete them, but it may take a lot of time depending on your internet speed and the number of files you need to upload.
So, to prevent accidental deletion of your files in the PC, remove the syncing feature in the files that you prefer storing in the cloud, especially when saving space on your computer.
Does Deleting From Your Computer Delete From OneDrive?
Deleting files from your OneDrive also means that your files on the PC will get removed, and vice versa. Just remember that if the files are synced, deletion on both ends will occur whether you delete from the OneDrive or computer. The same goes when deleting from other devices that are connected to your OneDrive.
How To Free Space From The Computer And Save Files On OneDrive?
Here are the easy steps to take to save space from your computer when saving files to your OneDrive:
- Right-click on the OneDrive icon found in the notifications section, then click on Settings.
- Click on the box that says Save space and download files as you use them. So then it won’t save offline anymore.
NOTE: There are three indicators in your OneDrive files: files with a blue cloud icon that are saved only on OneDrive; files that will become online only as the hard drive fills up have a white circle with a green check; and those with a white check on a green circle icon are files that won’t get deleted on your computer even if you remove them from the drive.
Pros and Cons Of Using OneDrive
OneDrive has the advantages that made it better than other cloud storage apps, as well as its unique disadvantages. Here are those:
Pros of Using OneDrive
Fast File Transfer
Transferring one file to another is guaranteed to be fast in OneDrive. The reason is not just because of its ability to make file transfer work easier such as dragging and dropping files here and there. You also get to experience faster upload speeds with OneDrive compared to the most popular cloud storage systems.
Accessible Anytime, Anywhere
OneDrive is known to be accessible to a lot of known devices that we use regularly to connect to the internet. You can keep the files on your phone, tablet, or PC. Even iPhones and iPads, which have their cloud system, work great with OneDrive as well. What made this better is that as long as you know your login credentials in OneDrive, you can use it at any place and on any device.
Collaborative with Microsoft Office
OneDrive is a part of Microsoft, making it extremely collaborative with Microsoft Office apps. Programs like Word, Excel and Powerpoint can be accessed swiftly when opening a file or document to edit and share at work. Saving the files can be done straight to OneDrive as well. This makes office work much easier since Microsoft Office is already known to be a leading program for creating and editing several schools and office files over the years.
User-Friendly
A user-friendly interface is a requirement for most apps and has been a standard in using popular apps for a lot of users nowadays. The goal of OneDrive is to provide efficient file sharing in a way where even non-tech-savvy people can easily understand and navigate. Gladly, OneDrive has gone such a long way to make itself much better to use for a wider audience.
Cons of Using OneDrive
Small Storage Space
OneDrive is not as great as other renowned cloud storage services because of its 5GB free storage space upon signing up. On the other hand, most competitors offer more than 10GB worth of free space for users to enjoy.
Needs Internet Connection
OneDrive may have granted us the advantage of using it on any device at any place. However, one known drawback is that you will never be able to access your files if you don’t have an internet connection on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Slow internet speed also hinders the performance of the app.
Limited Selection
The price might not be too expensive compared to the premium features that its rivals offer. But the 6TB storage offered as the maximum plan for OneDrive Premium users might not be enough for some.
Conclusion
OneDrive has been around for a very long time, ever since it was called OneNote. With its improvements over time, it made file transfer easier to do, with a lot of options fit for your file backup preferences. It is truly your extra storage in cyberspace!
