Delete files or folders in OneDrive

You can easily delete files or folders in OneDrive, whether it’s OneDrive for work or school, OneDrive for home or personal use, OneDrive operated by 21Vianet, OneDrive for Mac, or OneDrive for Windows.

To begin, you have the option to delete specific files or photos on Microsoft OneDrive, or you can choose to delete entire folders along with all the items contained within them. If needed, you can also restore deleted items from the OneDrive recycle bin.

If you wish to permanently remove files from your OneDrive, follow these steps. First, navigate to the OneDrive left side navigation and select the Recycle bin option. It’s important to note that when you delete files from the OneDrive recycle bin, there may be a slight delay before the changes are reflected in your OneDrive storage availability.

Now, let’s explore different scenarios for deleting items from either your OneDrive or your hard drive.

1. Delete from your OneDrive but not your hard drive:
If you want to keep a file, photo, or folder on your computer but remove it from OneDrive, you can utilize File Explorer (or Mac Finder for Mac users) to move the item from your OneDrive folder to a different location on your hard drive.

2. Delete from your hard drive but not your OneDrive:
Conversely, if you want to keep a file, photo, or folder in your OneDrive but not on your computer to save space, place the item in your OneDrive folder and enable the Files On-Demand feature (or On-Demand Files for Mac users). This way, you will still see the file in your OneDrive folder on your computer, but it won’t occupy any hard drive space.

3. Delete from both your OneDrive and your hard drive:
If you have synchronized your OneDrive with your desktop or hard drive, you can use File Explorer (or Mac Finder) to locate and delete the desired file, photo, or folder.

Please note that when deleting more than 200 synced OneDrive or Team Site files simultaneously, the OneDrive sync client will prompt you to confirm if the action was intentional. Additionally, items cannot be deleted directly from within your Shared list; they can only be removed.

The instructions mentioned above specifically apply to Microsoft account holders using OneDrive for home. They do not apply to OneDrive for work or school.

To delete files or folders, open the desired view, and select the items you wish to remove by clicking on the circle check box that appears next to each item. In case you want to remove an item shared by other users, select the item and choose Remove from shared list from the top bar. To remove an item from Shared by me, select the item, click on Information in the upper-right corner to open the Details pane, and then select Manage Access.

If you require additional assistance, there are several options available to you. You can explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more. Additionally, communities can provide a platform to ask and answer questions, offer feedback, and engage with experts who possess extensive knowledge.

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/delete-files-or-folders-in-onedrive-21fe345a-e488-4fa7-932b-f053c1bebe8a

My OneDrive says it’s full

do not use the following words: article, author, author’s name, personal name, this text, text, content, summary and do not copy the title, and Summarize the following at least 500 words in length and Break it up into shorter paragraphs (not need use word paragraph ) : My OneDrive says it’s full
My OneDrive says it’s full

OneDrive (work or school) OneDrive (home or personal) OneDrive for Mac OneDrive for Windows More…Less

If your OneDrive is full, we will send you an email notification and you will see the following OneDrive icon in your notification or menu bar:

Your OneDrive might be full because:

How do I get back under my storage quota?
You’ll need to delete some files or buy more storage. Your files will be read-only, but you can download or delete files to get back under your storage limit.

What happens if you exceed your OneDrive storage quota?
If you exceed your OneDrive storage quota:

After 1 year of exceeding your OneDrive storage quota:

What’s included in OneDrive storage?
Your OneDrive storage quota applies to your personal Microsoft account and includes:

Learn more
Need more help?
Need more help?
Want more options?
Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/my-onedrive-says-it-s-full-f0a8a922-d971-497e-b0c6-7b9a47c617c0

How to Simplify and Clean Up Your Cloud Storage Mess

Cloud storage offers great convenience for storing files, but without proper organization, it can quickly become chaotic. To simplify and clean up your cloud storage, follow these steps.

First, delete any large or unnecessary files. Use a desktop disk space manager like WinDirStat for Windows or Disk Inventory X for Mac to identify and remove large files. Alternatively, most cloud storage services have sorting options or storage usage tools to help you locate and delete large files.

Next, decide which files should go into each cloud storage service. If you use multiple services, consider organizing files by type across different platforms. For example, use OneDrive for photos, Dropbox for documents, and Google Drive for videos. By doing so, you can easily locate specific files based on the service you stored them in.

Creating a clear folder structure is crucial for effective organization. Think about how you typically search for files and establish folders accordingly. Strike a balance between having too many folders with few files and having too few folders with a large number of files. Avoid creating folders that are too deep, as it can be easy to get lost. You can always adjust and adapt your folder structure over time.

When creating folders, consider the following tips:

– Avoid clutter by creating an Old folder within directories where you want to archive data.
– Use underscores (_) or z to prioritize folders in alphabetical order.
– Aim for descriptive file names that are easy to search for. Avoid generic names like IMG-8275 and opt for specific names like John’s Graduation 2017 instead.
– Develop a consistent naming convention for files within folders, such as using the format ## Artist — Track for music files.

Moving files to their appropriate folders and renaming them can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large number of files. Take your time and spread out the process over a few days if necessary. Make sure to delete any missed files from earlier passes.

To make accessing frequently used folders more efficient, star them or create shortcuts. Starring files and folders within the cloud storage interface provides quick access to important items. Additionally, create shortcuts in File Explorer or Finder to easily navigate to these folders on your computer.

Finally, stick to your organization plan to maintain a clutter-free cloud storage. Sort new files into the appropriate folders as soon as you add them, and perform quick maintenance on a weekly basis to prevent clutter from building up again.

Remember to prioritize the security of your cloud storage accounts to ensure the safety of your files.

Source: https://www.makeuseof.com/simplify-clean-up-cloud-storage-mess/

Is your iCloud storage full? 5 tips on how to free up space

Is your iCloud storage full? Are you struggling to find ways to free up space? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many Apple users face the challenge of limited iCloud storage, especially when they want to store a large number of images, files, and iPhone backups. While purchasing more storage or utilizing iCloud alternatives are effective solutions, there are simple ways to free up space by decluttering your iCloud account. In this guide, we will provide you with five tips to help you reclaim valuable storage space in iCloud.

To begin, it’s essential to identify what types of files are consuming the most space in your iCloud storage. By navigating to the settings app on your device, you can access iCloud and select Manage Storage. Here, you’ll find a bar chart that displays the various file types taking up your storage. Backups, photos, and messages are often the culprits behind a full iCloud storage. Additionally, you can view a detailed list of installed apps and their corresponding iCloud storage usage.

Managing backups is a crucial step in freeing up iCloud storage. If you have backups from old devices that you no longer need, you can delete them to instantly create more space. Access iCloud from the Settings app on iOS or the System Preferences app on macOS, and click or tap Manage Backups to view all the backups associated with your iCloud account. Delete the unnecessary ones, as the chances of needing access to those backups in the future are minimal.

While managing backups, take a moment to review which individual apps are backing up to your iCloud account. Although some apps, like Photos, may be essential to back up, not all apps require the same level of data storage. You can turn off backups for specific apps by adjusting the status bar from green to grey.

Old text messages and iChat threads can accumulate over time, occupying a considerable amount of space in your iCloud account. By accessing the Messages app on your device, you can delete individual messages or entire conversations. Additionally, you can choose to remove attachments, which often contribute significantly to storage consumption. From a conversation, tap the contact’s name, click the info button, select See All Photos, and delete the desired photos.

Attachments in emails can also consume a substantial amount of iCloud storage, particularly if you have accumulated years’ worth of emails. Instead of deleting all your emails, iCloud Mail offers a simple way to view emails with attachments sorted by size. Open iCloud Mail, select View, then Sort by Attachments. You can either delete all emails with attachments or choose a specific size threshold to remove those above a certain size.

Your photo library is likely the largest occupant of space within your iCloud account. High-resolution photos and videos can quickly accumulate, making it crucial to manage your library efficiently. Unfortunately, there is no automatic way to identify unwanted photos in your iCloud library, so manual review is necessary. Delete any photos you no longer need, and remember that deleting them will move them to the Recently Deleted album. To fully reclaim the space, navigate to the Recently Deleted album and remove all the files.

To prevent your photo storage from overflowing in the future, it’s helpful to delete unnecessary photos immediately after taking them. Similarly, cropping videos to keep only the parts you want and deleting outtakes can help save space. Additionally, you can move older albums offline if you don’t need instant access to them across multiple devices. Transferring data to an external hard drive frees up iCloud storage and can save you money on your cloud storage subscription over time.

iCloud Drive stores copies of various file types, including documents, PDFs, and application files. Over time, clutter can accumulate in iCloud Drive, similar to messages, emails, and photo libraries. Cleaning out iCloud Drive is easiest on a computer, but it can also be done on an iPhone or iPad. By

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/is-your-icloud-storage-full-5-tips-on-how-to-free-up-space

How to Clear Out Space in All Your Cloud Storage Accounts

Cloud storage services have become essential for managing the storage space on our devices. However, there may come a time when you find yourself running out of storage space in your cloud accounts as well. To help you avoid paying for additional storage, here are some tips on how to free up space in your cloud storage accounts.

Let’s start with Apple iCloud. To check how much free space you have in iCloud, go to System Preferences on a Mac, click on Apple ID and iCloud, or on iOS, tap your name and then iCloud in Settings. You can also check in a web browser by logging into iCloud and clicking on your name, then selecting Account Settings.

Manually deleting files is an option, and you can do this through the iCloud Drive folder in Finder on a Mac or the Files app on an iPhone or iPad. It’s important to note that deleting files from these locations will remove them from your other devices as well. Take some time to go through your iCloud Drive and assess the number of files and the amount of data you have accumulated.

Another step you can take is to check for any iCloud backups from old devices that you no longer need. On iOS, go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, and select Manage Storage and Backups to review them. You can also see how much space other apps are taking up by going back to Manage Storage. If you decide that you can do without certain apps’ data, you can delete them to free up space.

To free up space in the Photos app on macOS or iOS, use the Albums feature to identify pictures you can delete, such as screenshots and selfies. Keep in mind that text and images from Messages and Mail apps also occupy iCloud space, so consider trimming older messages from these apps as well. While iCloud doesn’t provide many automatic tools for freeing up space, it does show you which apps are taking up the most space, allowing you to delete data and files as needed.

Moving on to Google Drive, here’s a handy trick: log into Google Drive and click on the Storage link on the left. This will show you the largest files in your Google Drive storage. Review these files and consider deleting any unnecessary ones. Check the My Drive and Computers folders for files and folders you no longer need.

Some apps may be using Google Drive to back up data from your phone. You can manage these apps by clicking on the cog icon in the top right corner of Google Drive, selecting Settings, and then Manage apps. You might discover that some apps are taking up more space than necessary, even if you’re no longer actively using them.

Keep in mind that your Google storage is divided between Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. To find the biggest data hogs, visit your Google One page, which provides an overview of your space usage across these apps. You can also explore space-saving ideas and identify the largest files in your Google Drive account.

To free up space in Gmail, you can search for emails with large attachments by running a search for has:attachment larger:5m in Gmail. This search will return emails with attachments larger than 5MB, and you can adjust the size limit as needed.

In Google Photos, you can manually review and delete unwanted photos and albums. Additionally, you can switch to the high quality plan instead of the original quality plan. This will compress your photos to a maximum of 16MP and videos to 1080p, ensuring they don’t count against your Google storage quota. Note that this action is irreversible.

When it comes to Microsoft OneDrive, there isn’t a straightforward way to delete files and folders in bulk. You’ll need to manually review your stored files, either on the web or inside the OneDrive folder on Windows, and remove anything you no longer need.

Source: https://gizmodo.com/how-to-clear-out-space-in-all-your-cloud-storage-accoun-1844611066

Running out of cloud storage? Here’s how to clear out your Gmail inbox

Running out of cloud storage in Google Drive can be a nightmare, especially if your Gmail inbox is to blame for the storage depletion. However, there’s no need to worry because there are several effective ways to clear up space in your inbox and prevent future buildup. By implementing some smart strategies, you can make the most of the 15 free gigabytes that Google provides to each user.

To begin, check the exact storage usage of your Google apps by accessing the drop-down menu on the right side of Gmail’s search bar. This will give you a clear idea of which apps are consuming the most cloud storage. If the issue lies with Google Drive or Google Photos, Google offers a variety of tips to address the problem.

Attachments can be a significant culprit for taking up storage space in Gmail. Use the search menu to locate emails with attachments, and then decide which ones you can safely delete. Be cautious not to delete anything important, but this quick and easy task can help declutter your inbox in seconds.

Another helpful feature to explore is Gmail filtering. If your inbox is flooded with payment receipt emails or other similar messages, you can use filtering to organize them. Simply open a message and click on the three vertical dots on the right side, then select Filter messages like this. This takes you to a list of messages from that sender, allowing you to manage them as desired. Additionally, you can use the search bar on the home screen to filter emails based on their age or size, making it convenient to delete larger emails, for example, those exceeding 5MB.

To prevent future inbox clutter, it’s essential to address subscriptions. Unwanted newsletters and subscriptions can accumulate over time, making your inbox overwhelming. While you can manually unsubscribe from each one, there is a helpful service called Unroll.me that provides a list of your subscriptions and allows you to easily manage them. Be cautious when granting access to third-party services, ensuring their legitimacy and reputation.

Don’t forget to regularly empty your spam and trash folders. Even after implementing the above strategies, deleted emails will still reside in the trash folder for a while before being permanently deleted. While they may not occupy much space, it’s best to get rid of them and keep your inbox clean.

In case none of these solutions suffice, the last option is to purchase additional storage from Google. However, with proper organization and regular maintenance, you should be able to make the most of the free storage provided and avoid the need for extra purchases.

Source: https://mashable.com/article/gmail-clear-cloud-storage-easy

Best ways to organize your cloud storage files

Think back to the days when we had to store everything locally on our computers. Thumb drives and external hard drives helped, but it was cumbersome. Today, everything syncs right to cloud storage. Is it safe to store personal documents like your ID, financial info, or medical files in the cloud? You might use the free Google Drive account that comes with Gmail. It fills up fast.

Your cloud storage can quickly become a disorganized mess. Set aside a little time and clean it up. You’ll thank me later when you can tap on the exact file you want.

Go back to basics. It would help if you created folders with names that make sense. Your docs may automatically get pulled into folders, but that’s not good enough. Start by creating general folders based on the format of each file, including photos, documents, music clips, and videos. Place all the videos into one folder, Excel docs into another folder, and so on.

To make the organization process faster, you can use keyboard shortcuts. If you want to select files grouped together, hold Shift and select the first and last item. This highlights those two and everything in between. If you want to select files grouped apart, hit Ctrl and then click on each individual file. Then, drag the files to their designated folder. Now that you’ve sorted the folders logically, it’s time to get a little more into the weeds.

To further organize your cloud storage, create subfolders within the general folders you’ve created. For example, if you have a Photos folder, create separate subfolders dedicated to vacations, birthdays, pets, or any other categories that make sense to you. The goal is to put everything in a specific place so that it’s easy to locate later on. The same principle applies to documents. If you’re digitally storing financial records, create subfolders for each year. This will make tax season much more accessible and organized.

While organizing your files, it’s a good idea to establish a folder naming system that you can consistently follow. This will prevent confusion down the line. For instance, in the tax example, you could name one folder 2021_Taxes, keeping the format with the year first and using an underscore to maintain tidiness. Similarly, for your photos, you can structure your folder hierarchy as follows: Photos > Pets > Abby, where Abby represents the name of your golden retriever, and all pictures of Abby would go into that folder.

Here’s a bonus tip: Your phone’s photo library is not just for selfies and pictures of food for Instagram. Having a handful of essential images readily accessible can help you stay organized, manage travel better, and even assist you in emergencies. These photos can save you trouble in the future.

In conclusion, organizing your cloud storage files is essential for easy retrieval and a clutter-free experience. By creating folders, using keyboard shortcuts, and establishing a subfolder system, you can ensure that everything has its designated place. Remember to maintain consistency in folder naming and take advantage of your phone’s photo library for added organization. By following these best practices, you’ll be able to make the most of your cloud storage and find the files you need quickly and efficiently.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this summary are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2021/11/14/how-clean-up-and-organize-your-cloud-storage-files/8593692002/

How to Recover or Permanently Delete Files from the Cloud

Cloud services have revolutionized the way we store and access our files. They provide the convenience of syncing files across multiple devices and offer various features to manage your data. However, accidents can happen, and files may get deleted mistakenly. The good news is that deleted files from the cloud are not always gone forever. In this article, we will explore how to recover or permanently delete files from popular cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive.

Let’s start with Dropbox. Unlike Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox does not have a dedicated Trash or Recycle Bin. Instead, deleted files remain in their original location but are hidden. To recover or permanently delete files in Dropbox, you need to access the folder from which you deleted them and unhide the files. You can do this by clicking the small trash can icon labeled show deleted files in the upper-right corner or by right-clicking and selecting show deleted files from the menu. The deleted files will appear in gray, and you can right-click on them to restore or permanently delete them. Dropbox keeps unlimited versions of your files for up to 30 days or even up to one year, which can be useful if you want to revert to an older version of a file.

Moving on to Google Drive, it offers a more conventional approach to deleting files with its Trash feature. When you delete a file on Google Drive, it is moved to the Trash folder. To restore a file from the Trash, click on the Trash icon in the location sidebar. You will be surprised to find that the files you thought were gone are still there. From the Trash, you can select one or multiple files and right-click to choose the Restore option. If you want to permanently delete the files, you can select the Delete forever option. Alternatively, you can use the Empty trash option to permanently delete all files in the Trash.

Now let’s look at Microsoft OneDrive, which also utilizes a recycle bin similar to Windows. Deleted files in OneDrive can be found in the Recycle bin located in the bottom-left corner of the navigation pane. Opening the recycle bin will reveal the deleted files that are still recoverable. If you want to restore all the files, you can click on Restore all items. To permanently delete all the files in the recycle bin, click on Empty recycle bin. If you prefer to restore or delete specific files, you can select them and choose the appropriate action. The available options include Restore, Delete, and Properties.

Accidental data loss can occur even when we are cautious. If you mistakenly remove data from a local cloud folder without first unsyncing it, the file will be deleted from the cloud server and all connected devices. It’s important to know that such actions can be undone if necessary.

While this article has focused on Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive, there are numerous other cloud storage services available with similar features for file recovery and permanent deletion. If you encounter any issues or have specific questions, consult the support section of your cloud service provider or search for solutions online.

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Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/212601/HOW-TO-RECOVER-OR-PERMANENTLY-DELETE-FILES-FROM-THE-CLOUD/