Enable OneDrive Files On-Demand on Windows 10/11
Difficulty: Beginner |
Time Required: 15 minutes
OneDrive Files On-Demand helps you save disk space by keeping most of your files in the cloud, only downloading them when you need them. This is perfect if you have a lot of files but a smaller hard drive, or if you just want a cleaner, faster PC experience. The feature is available on Windows 10 (builds 1709 and newer) and Windows 11, so most modern setups can use it right away.
Prerequisites
- A PC running Windows 10 (version 1709 or later) or Windows 11. If you’re on an older Windows 10 build, update Windows and OneDrive to the latest version.
- OneDrive installed and set up with your Microsoft account (personal or work/school).
- Internet connection to download files on demand.
- A bit of planning: you can choose which folders to sync locally, and you can mark individual files or folders to Always keep on this device if you want offline access.
Notes:
- If you’re in a work or school environment, your organization may have policies that affect OneDrive settings. If Files On-Demand seems unavailable, check with your IT admin.
- If OneDrive isn’t visible in the taskbar, you may need to start OneDrive from the Start menu or reinstall/update the OneDrive app.
Step-by-step instructions
1) Open OneDrive settings
- Locate the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar notification area. If you don’t see it, open the Start menu and search for “OneDrive” or “OneDrive settings.”
- Right-click the OneDrive icon and choose Settings. If you don’t see a right-click menu, left-click the icon to open the activity panel, then click Help & Settings > Settings.
2) Enable Files On-Demand
- In the OneDrive Settings window, switch to the Settings tab.
- Look for the option labeled “Save space and download files as you use them” (this is the Files On-Demand feature).
- Check the box next to this option, then click OK or Apply.
3) Confirm folder syncing behavior (optional but useful)
- In the one-drive settings window, go to the Account tab and click “Choose folders.”
- You can decide which folders are available on this PC. If you want everything available on-demand, you can leave all folders unchecked, but typically you’ll want to choose the folders you actually use offline.
- Click OK to save your selections.
- Tip: Even with On-Demand enabled, you can choose to keep certain folders offline by right-clicking a folder and selecting “Always keep on this device” (downloaded and kept locally).
4) Start using On-Demand (explore files in File Explorer)
- Open File Explorer and navigate to your OneDrive folder.
- You’ll see files and folders labeled with status icons:
- A cloud icon indicates online-only (not downloaded yet).
- A checkmark on a green circle or a filled status indicates the file is downloaded and available offline.
- To bring a file online-only, simply open it or right-click and choose “Download” (or rely on opening it to trigger the download).
- To keep something offline, right-click the file or folder and choose “Always keep on this device.”
5) Manage a few quick examples
- To save space: Right-click a large file you don’t need right now and choose Remove from device or right-click and choose “Free up space” if it’s been downloaded previously. The file remains in OneDrive cloud but won’t take up local disk space.
- To ensure accessibility while offline: Right-click a frequently used document or folder and choose “Always keep on this device.” It will download (if not already) and stay synced locally.
6) Verify your changes
- After enabling On-Demand and selecting folders, try disconnecting from the internet briefly and opening a file you previously opened. If it opens without error, you have offline access or you’re using a downloaded copy.
- If you see a cloud icon but want it downloaded, double-click the file or right-click and choose Download. The icon will change to a local status once downloaded.
7) Optional: Disable Files On-Demand later
- If you ever want to revert, open OneDrive Settings again, go to the Settings tab, and uncheck the box next to “Save space and download files as you use them.” Click OK to apply. Existing downloaded files will remain on your device unless you remove them manually from File Explorer.
Tips and troubleshooting notes
- If you don’t see the Save space and download files as you use them option, update OneDrive. Go to the OneDrive website or Microsoft Store (or simply reinstall OneDrive) to ensure you’re running a recent version that supports On-Demand.
- For better control, use the Choose folders feature to limit what gets synced offline. This helps especially on devices with smaller SSDs.
- If a file or folder doesn’t download when you expect, check your internet connection, and verify the OneDrive status icon overlay in File Explorer. A cloud icon means online-only; a green check means downloaded.
- Some corporate policies may disable On-Demand or control how OneDrive is allowed to sync. If you don’t see the option, contact your IT admin.
- Disk space won’t be wasted by files you’re not actively using. On-Demand downloads are on-demand—download occurs when you access the file, and you can remove the local copy later to free space.
- If you’re using Windows 11, you may notice slightly different UI text or icons, but the steps and behavior are the same.
Short checklist:
- Windows 10 (1709+) or Windows 11: On-Demand supported.
- OneDrive is up to date and signed in.
- Internet connection available for initial downloads.
- Use Always keep on this device for critical files you want offline.
Conclusion
Enabling OneDrive Files On-Demand on Windows 10/11 is a simple, effective way to balance access to your files with available disk space. With On-Demand, you can browse your entire OneDrive cloud library without filling up your hard drive, while still having quick offline access to the documents and folders you rely on. By combining On-Demand with selective offline availability (Always keep on this device) and folder-level sync, you get a clean, fast, and flexible experience that respects your storage needs.
Key benefits at a glance:
- Big savings on local disk space by keeping most files in the cloud.
- Easy access to all files via File Explorer with clear status indicators.
- Fine-grained control over which folders/files are stored locally.
- Simple on/off switch to adapt to changing storage needs.
Key Takeaways:
- Files On-Demand saves disk space without sacrificing access to your OneDrive files.
- You control what downloads automatically and what stays online.
- You can mark important files for offline use with “Always keep on this device.”
- It’s supported on Windows 10 (version 1709+) and Windows 11; keep OneDrive updated if you don’t see the option.
- If you run into issues, check for updates, verify folder selections, and confirm no admin policies are blocking On-Demand.
This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.