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First decide whether you want to delete the file from both your PC and OneDrive, remove only its local copy, or keep it on the PC but remove it from the cloud. Deleting inside a synced OneDrive folder can delete the online copy too. If you only need to free disk space, use Files On-Demand or selective sync instead.
Choose what should happen to the file
- Delete it from the PC and OneDrive: Delete the item from the synced OneDrive folder or from OneDrive on the web. A deletion in the synced folder can sync to the cloud, and deleting a shared item can make it unavailable to other people. See Microsoft’s OneDrive sync guidance.
- Free space on the PC but keep the cloud copy: Use Files On-Demand or selective sync rather than deleting the item from the synced folder.
- Keep a local copy but remove it from OneDrive: Move the file outside the OneDrive folder before deleting the cloud copy. Microsoft’s guidance explains the effects of deleting and moving synced files in its OneDrive deletion instructions.
Delete a OneDrive file or folder normally
From File Explorer
- Open File Explorer and open the OneDrive folder for the account that contains the item.
- Select the file or folder and press Delete.
- Allow OneDrive to sync the change. Because sync works in both directions, this can also remove the cloud copy.
From OneDrive on the web
- Open OneDrive on the web and locate the item.
- Select the file or folder and choose Delete.
- To delete a folder on the web, go to its parent folder and select the folder itself. Selecting items inside it may delete only those contents.
If Delete is missing online, Microsoft says you may not have permission to remove the item. See Delete files or folders in OneDrive.
If the delete action fails, identify the cause
Confirm the account and folder
Check whether the item belongs to a personal OneDrive account or a work or school account, and confirm it is actually inside that account’s synced OneDrive folder. A PC can show more than one OneDrive location, so make sure you are acting on the intended copy.
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Close apps that may be using the file
If an application has the file open, save your changes and close the application, then give OneDrive a chance to sync. Microsoft notes that an in-use file may not sync; this is a relevant check for sync problems, not a guaranteed fix for every deletion failure. See Microsoft’s sync troubleshooting guidance.
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Check file permissions
If an access-related error appears, right-click the file in File Explorer, choose Properties, and check the Security tab for appropriate read and write permissions. For a work or school account, ask the owner or administrator if you cannot change the permissions. Microsoft’s OneDrive error-code guidance also covers access-related errors.
Account for work or school retention rules
An organization administrator may set a retention rule that requires a folder to be emptied before the folder itself can be deleted. This is an organization-level control, not something every user can override from the PC. If the online deletion is blocked or the folder must be retained, contact your administrator.
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Check the exact error and the item’s name or path
OneDrive and SharePoint have file-name and path restrictions that can interfere with handling or syncing an item. The fact that deletion fails does not by itself show that a restriction is the cause. Compare the exact error and name or path with Microsoft’s restrictions and limitations guide.
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Use the web result to narrow down the problem. If Delete is absent or blocked there, permissions or an organization retention rule are more likely than a local File Explorer issue. If the web allows deletion but File Explorer does not, check whether the file is open, whether you are in the correct synced account folder, and whether the local file has appropriate permissions. If the problem remains, note the exact error, whether the account is personal or work/school, and whether deletion fails in File Explorer, on the web, or both; those details help an account owner or administrator investigate.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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