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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To free up disk space with online storage, first let your files finish uploading, then use your service’s online-only or streaming option to remove local copies while keeping the cloud copies. Uploading alone does not reclaim much local space if the service also keeps files on your computer. Online-only files still use your cloud account’s storage, and opening them may require an internet connection.
How online storage frees local disk space
Syncing keeps changes aligned between devices and the cloud; it does not necessarily remove local copies. Mirroring stores files both online and on your computer, so it uses local disk space. Streaming or making files online-only leaves the file visible in the service’s desktop folder without storing its full contents locally. A file may download when opened.
Local disk capacity and cloud-account capacity are separate. For example, streamed Google Drive files still count toward Google storage, even though they use almost no local disk space. Google explains the difference between computer disk space and Google storage.
Choose the right storage method
| Option | Local space behavior | Best suited to | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| OneDrive Files On-Demand | Files can remain online-only; files kept offline use local storage. | People already using OneDrive on Windows or Mac. | Files still count toward OneDrive cloud storage; offline copies take disk space. Microsoft’s Mac guidance. |
| Google Drive for desktop: Stream files | Files stay online unless made available offline; streaming uses almost no local space. | People who want to browse Drive files through the desktop app while conserving disk space. | Offline files use local storage, and streamed files still count toward Google storage. Google Drive storage modes and space. |
| Google Drive for desktop: Mirror files | Files are stored both in Drive and on the computer. | People who prioritize local access and a local copy. | Uses local disk space. Do not remove the mirrored folder before changes finish uploading. Google’s setup guidance and warning about unsynced files. |
| iCloud Drive storage optimization | macOS can store supported content in iCloud and keep recently opened files on the Mac as space is needed. | Mac users storing supported folders in iCloud Drive. | macOS manages what stays local; opening a file may require downloading it. Apple’s Mac storage guidance. |
| External storage | Moves files to a connected physical drive rather than online storage. | People with large files that should not be uploaded or who need another local copy. | Requires carrying and maintaining the drive. Apple lists external storage as an option. |
Before you move or offload files
- Check the computer’s available storage so you can confirm whether your changes reclaimed space.
- Check that your cloud account has room for the files you plan to upload.
- Wait for syncing or uploading to finish, then verify important files are visible in the cloud service before removing local copies.
- Keep active project files and documents you will need without internet access available offline.
Do not use ordinary deletion as a substitute for an online-only action. Deleting a synced file may delete it from the cloud as well. Use the service’s documented option to free local space while retaining the cloud copy.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- 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.
Windows: make OneDrive files online-only
OneDrive Files On-Demand lets you see files in File Explorer without keeping every file’s contents on the device. Microsoft’s documented OneDrive action for reclaiming local space is “Free up space”; the file remains online-only and can be downloaded when needed. See Microsoft’s Files On-Demand instructions for Windows.
- Confirm the files have finished syncing to OneDrive.
- In File Explorer, open your OneDrive folder and select the synced file or folder you want to offload.
- Right-click and choose “Free up space.” The item remains visible in OneDrive but its contents are online-only.
- To use it without an internet connection, right-click it and choose the option to keep it on the device; this downloads a local copy and uses disk space.
Windows Storage Sense can work with OneDrive to return unused locally available cloud files to online-only status. Microsoft’s Windows 10 instructions describe that feature; exact Settings labels and availability can differ by Windows version. Search Settings for “Storage Sense” if the path differs, or check current OneDrive help. Microsoft’s Storage Sense guidance.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition 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.
Mac: make OneDrive files online-only
OneDrive for Mac supports Files On-Demand. In Finder, choose “Free Up Space” for synced items you want online-only; they remain visible in the OneDrive folder. Files marked to remain available offline are downloaded and use Mac storage. You can download an online-only file again when you need it. The exact interface can depend on the OneDrive client and macOS version, including File Provider behavior. Microsoft’s OneDrive for Mac guidance.
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Windows or Mac: use Google Drive streaming
Google Drive for desktop offers two storage modes. “Stream files” keeps files in the cloud unless you make them available offline; “Mirror files” stores them both on the computer and in Drive. If your goal is to conserve local space, streaming is the relevant mode, provided you can tolerate downloading files when needed.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- 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.
- Open Google Drive for desktop preferences.
- Choose “Google Drive” in the preferences panel.
- Select “Stream files” rather than “Mirror files.”
- For files you need offline, use Drive’s option to make them available offline; those files will use local storage.
Before changing or removing a mirrored local folder, confirm all changes have uploaded. Google warns that unsynchronized files can be lost if the local folder is deleted before upload completes. Read Google’s guidance on streaming and mirroring files.
Mac: optimize storage with iCloud
With iCloud Drive configured for Desktop and Documents, macOS can store their contents in iCloud and keep only recently opened files on the Mac as space is needed. The system manages what remains local, so this is less manual than choosing online-only status for individual files.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- 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.
In macOS Ventura 13 and later, Apple places storage recommendations under System Settings > General > Storage. Exact wording can vary by macOS release. Apple’s recommendations also cover other ways to recover space, including removing media that can be downloaded or streamed again and moving files to an external storage device. Apple’s Mac storage guide.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Keep essential files available offline
Online-only and streamed files may need to download when you open them. Before a flight, trip, or period without reliable internet, mark essential travel documents and current work files for offline use in the service’s app. This gives you access without a connection but uses local disk space.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
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- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
If the drive still looks full
- Wait for the upload or sync to finish, then confirm the files appear in the cloud before trying another cleanup action.
- Check local free space again after choosing the online-only or streaming option. Cloud storage usage will not necessarily decrease when local storage is reclaimed.
- On a Mac, review System Settings > General > Storage for Apple’s other recommendations.
- On Windows, search Settings for Storage Sense; Microsoft also points OneDrive users to Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense for freeing working space. Microsoft’s Storage Sense guidance.
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