How to Delete OneDrive Folder? 5 Easy Solutions

  

Mark Regan
Published: May 30th, 2025 • 8 Min Read

If you don’t know what OneDrive is, then it is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft, where you can store, share, and access your data online. It is integrated with Microsoft Office 365 that’s why some users share their OneDrive folders with others.

You can use OneDrive in many ways: as a storage space, access your data online, online editing, sharing them with other people, and sync with other Office applications. That’s why it is very helpful for businesses as well as an individual. But what about deleting your synced OneDrive folders.

Reasons for Removing OneDrive Folder

Although it provides great storage facilities, deleting your OneDrive folder is common. However, when you need to delete the OneDrive folder. Below we have mentioned some of the situations where you need to remove OneDrive folder.

• Although it is a cloud based program, still your storage space can be full. Therefore, you need to delete some of the data to reduce the storage space.
• Sometimes syncing your folders can create duplicate files. This increases your storage space and you need to remove them as soon as possible.
• You have a sensitive data in synced folders that you want to share. So, deleting them make your data private.
• Folders that are old or you no longer need them. Removing them would be a great choice.
• You are closing your account, that’s why you need to delete your folders.

So, there are several reasons to remove OneDrive folders. And here we are helping you in these situations.

Precautions Before Deleting Folder from OneDrive

In many cases, people remove shared or synced folders from their device. But, not realizing that this action also removes the folder from other synced devices. This is why most users are afraid to remove the folders. But, if you follow these precautions before deleting the data. Everything will be fine.

• First check that your folder is not actively syncing across deletions.
• It’s important to save a copy of your folder to an external drive before deleting them. Later we are going to explain how you can save your OneDrive data so don’t forget to read.
• When you are removing your folder, temporarily pause the syncing so that you can delete your data without affecting other devices.
• Notify other members of the shared folders about the process and advise them to save their data at their end.

Once you have done all these prerequisites. It is time to delete your OneDrive Data.

How to Free up Space on OneDrive Folder?

If you want to delete OneDrive files from your computer only, then you can use the Free up space. This feature removes the files from your local machine but keeps a copy of your data in your cloud service. This way you can still have the data even though you remove them. Here are the steps to do that.

1. In your File Explorer, go to your OneDrive folder.
2. Select and right-click on the file or folder.
3. Click on the Free up space option from the drop down list.

This way your data is deleted but you will see a blue cloud icon indicating there is a copy of your deleted data in the cloud. You can access it anytime and if you want to download it, you can easily do this.

How to Stop OneDrive from Syncing Folders?

This method allows you to stop syncing specific folders in your device. It also saves the file in the cloud. Here’s how you do it.

1. At the bottom right corner of the screen. You will see an arrow beside network connection and battery icon.
2. Click it and select the OneDrive option. Go to the Settings of the OneDrive.
3. Select the Account option and click Choose folders option.
4. After clicking it you will see a list of OneDrive folders and uncheck the folders you don’t want to sync on your device. Then, hit OK.

Now, the folder that you selected no longer appears in the OneDrive folder but you can access it online.

Unlink your OneDrive Folder

This method detaches your computer from the OneDrive account. This way all your syncing stops and removes your OneDrive folder and files from the local computer. But, the data remains safe in the cloud.

1. Again click on the arrow at the bottom right corner and open the OneDrive.
2. Click the Gear button and select the Settings button.
3. Go to the Account tab and choose Unlink this PC button.
4. Click the Unlink button to confirm it.

Once you do this, your OneDrive folder will no longer be updated and you can manually delete them without any worries. But, make sure that all your data is moved to the cloud before this process.

Delete Shared Folder on OneDrive

In this, we stop others from reading or editing files or folders that you share. Once you remove the access, you can no longer open the folder unless you re-share it with others.

1. Go to the Microsoft OneDrive page and sign in.
2. Find your folder that you are sharing with others.
3. Right-click to it and select the Manage Access button.
4. Press the X (Remove link) or Stop sharing option.
5. You can also click the trash button to block the access of individual users.

How to Completely Remove OneDrive Folder?

If you want to permanently delete a folder from a local device. Then, it is easy but risky because it will also delete data from the cloud and other synced devices. Still, you want to delete the OneDrive folder following the steps below.

1. Go to the OneDrive folder in File explorer or Finder.
2. Choose the folder you want to remove and right-click it.
3. Select the Delete button. To permanently delete it, go to OneDrive web page.
4. Click on Recycle bin, select the folder and click Delete Permanently.

This method is easy but data loss is the main problem. So, make sure you first take a backup of your data before deleting your OneDrive folder completely. Speaking of data, if you don’t know how it is done then we have a perfect tool for you.

Conclusion

So, if you are worried that if you remove OneDrive folders, it will delete from all the computers. Use the methods mentioned in this article. We provided five different ways to how to delete OneDrive files securely. Not only that we also mentioned precautions which help you to make the process more smoothier. Lastly, we suggest you a way to secure your data before removing your OneDrive data.