Make OneDrive Files On-Demand Online-Only in Windows 10
You can automatically make OneDrive files on-demand become online-only in Windows 10 by using the built-in “Free up space� option, or by setting new files to default to online-only in the OneDrive settings. This guide explains both methods, how the feature works, and how to troubleshoot common issues.
What Is OneDrive Files On-Demand?
OneDrive Files On-Demand is a Windows 10 feature that lets you access all your cloud files without downloading them to your PC. Files appear in File Explorer with status icons: a blue cloud icon means online-only, a white outline with a green check means locally available, and a solid green check means always available on the device. Online-only files take up zero local storage, but you need an internet connection to open them.
How to Make All Existing Files Online-Only Automatically
To free up space by converting all currently downloaded OneDrive files to online-only, use the “Free up space� command. This works on a per-folder or per-file basis, but you can apply it to your entire OneDrive folder at once.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to your OneDrive folder (usually in the left sidebar).
- Select the top-level OneDrive folder, or press Ctrl+A to select all items inside it.
- Right-click the selection and choose Free up space from the context menu.
- Confirm the action when prompted. Windows will remove the local copies, leaving only the online-only placeholders.
This action is immediate and affects all selected files. It does not delete your files from the cloud—they remain fully accessible online.
How to Make New Files Default to Online-Only
If you want every new file you add to OneDrive to start as online-only, change the default in OneDrive settings. This is especially useful if you have limited local storage.
- Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray (near the clock) and select Settings.
- Go to the Settings tab.
- Under “Files On-Demand,� check the box that says “Save space and download files as you use them.�
- Click OK to save changes.
After this, any file you move or copy into your OneDrive folder will appear with the blue cloud icon (online-only) until you explicitly open it or pin it.
How to Pin or Unpin Individual Files
You can control each file’s availability manually. Right-click a file or folder and choose:
- Always keep on this device – forces the file to download and stay locally available.
- Free up space – converts it back to online-only.
These options are also available in the right-click menu of any OneDrive item in File Explorer. The status icons update instantly.
Common Problems and Fixes
If “Free up space� is greyed out, or files won’t convert to online-only, check the following:
- Files On-Demand is disabled – Go to OneDrive settings > Settings tab and ensure the “Save space� option is enabled. If it’s off, you’ll only see “Always keep on this device� in the right-click menu.
- You’re on an older Windows 10 version – Files On-Demand requires Windows 10 version 1709 or later. Check your version via Settings > System > About.
- OneDrive is paused – Right-click the OneDrive icon and ensure sync is not paused. Paused sync can prevent status changes.
- File is open or in use – Close any application that might be using the file, then try again.
Files On-Demand vs. Always Available: Which Should You Choose?
Online-only files save local storage but require internet to open. Always-available files are stored locally, so they open instantly even offline, but they consume disk space. For most users, a mix is ideal: keep frequently used files or folders always available, and let everything else stay online-only. You can also set a folder (like a project folder) to “Always keep on this device� while leaving the rest online-only.
Does This Work on Windows 11?
Yes, the same Files On-Demand feature exists in Windows 11, and the steps are nearly identical. The settings dialog and right-click menu options are the same, though the visual design differs slightly. This article focuses on Windows 10, but the principles apply to Windows 11 as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will “Free up space� delete my files?
No. It only removes the local copy, leaving the file in the cloud. You can still see it in File Explorer and open it with an internet connection. Your files remain safe in OneDrive.
Why can’t I see the “Free up space� option?
This option only appears when Files On-Demand is enabled. If you don’t see it, go to OneDrive settings and enable “Save space and download files as you use them.� Also, ensure you have the latest OneDrive app installed.
How do I know which files are online-only?
Look at the status icons in File Explorer. A blue cloud means online-only, a white outline with a green check means locally available, and a solid green check means always available. You can also sort by the “Status� column in the OneDrive folder.
Can I set a folder to be online-only automatically?
Yes. Right-click the folder, select “Free up space,� and it will convert all files inside to online-only. New files added to that folder will follow the global default, so if you set the default to online-only, they will be online-only as well.
Does using online-only files slow down opening them?
Yes, there can be a slight delay when opening an online-only file because it must download first. The delay depends on your internet speed and file size. Once opened, the file is cached locally and opens faster next time.
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