Forum Discussion
Is One Drive right for simple storage
I'm looking for simple cloud storage for my pictures and documents that I don't want to keep on my computer. I want to be able to access the files easily and I want to be able to control what gets uploaded, when it gets uploaded and when it gets deleted. Is One Drive right for this kind of use?
HiArtrina
Yes, OneDrive can do this, though it works a little differently from what you're picturing, so it helps to set it up on purpose.
By default OneDrive is a sync service. Anything in your OneDrive folder gets uploaded automatically, and if you delete a file on your PC, it's deleted from the cloud too (it sits in the OneDrive recycle bin for a while, so you can usually get it back). That's the main thing to watch for if you want full control.
The simplest way to stay in charge is to use OneDrive through the website at onedrive.com. You upload only what you choose, when you choose, and nothing gets deleted unless you do it yourself. If you prefer the desktop app, you can pause syncing at any time, and in the OneDrive settings under Sync and backup you can turn off automatic backup of your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders.
To free up space on your computer, right-click a file or folder in your OneDrive folder and choose Free up space. The file stays safely in the cloud and is removed from your PC. That's much safer than just deleting it.
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Free OneDrive only provides 5 GB of storage. If you need more, you will need to purchase additional storage.
Thanks! It's not a problem yet. I started uploading files from an external hard drive yesterday and it shows I have 1 TB of space
Be aware they just reduced family plan storage from 6 TB to only a shared 2 TB. Makes it untenable for my family. We will have to find a new solution. We each have nearly 1 TB.
Thanks for this; my photos may push us over. Before I spend time uploading files I should check pricing.
Yes, OneDrive can provide the simple cloud storage you describe, but choose the workflow carefully because its desktop folder is synchronized, not an independent archive. For maximum manual control, upload selected pictures and documents through OneDrive on the web using Add new > Files upload or Folder upload, and do not enable backup for Desktop, Documents, or Pictures. If you prefer File Explorer, enable Files On-Demand, place the files in the OneDrive folder, wait for sync to finish, then choose Free up space so they remain online-only and use no local storage. Do not delete an online-only file to remove its placeholder: deletion also removes the cloud copy and synchronizes to other devices. Deleted items can usually be restored from the OneDrive recycle bin, but retention is limited. For irreplaceable photos, keep a second independent backup because synchronization and recycle-bin recovery are not the same as permanent archival protection.
Thanks for the note. I have a couple of backups of things that are important to me in the house, but there are some things I'd like to have in the cloud. I think this will help me clean up the stuff I have stored if I have to manually upload things.
HiArtrina
Yes, OneDrive can do this, though it works a little differently from what you're picturing, so it helps to set it up on purpose.
By default OneDrive is a sync service. Anything in your OneDrive folder gets uploaded automatically, and if you delete a file on your PC, it's deleted from the cloud too (it sits in the OneDrive recycle bin for a while, so you can usually get it back). That's the main thing to watch for if you want full control.
The simplest way to stay in charge is to use OneDrive through the website at onedrive.com. You upload only what you choose, when you choose, and nothing gets deleted unless you do it yourself. If you prefer the desktop app, you can pause syncing at any time, and in the OneDrive settings under Sync and backup you can turn off automatic backup of your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders.
To free up space on your computer, right-click a file or folder in your OneDrive folder and choose Free up space. The file stays safely in the cloud and is removed from your PC. That's much safer than just deleting it.
Thanks so much! This makes sense to me and is the kind of information I was looking for. I didn't want to pay for another service if I could make One Drive work for me.
