Ever noticed that some of your OneDrive files show a little cloud icon instead of being available on your PC? That’s because of File On-Demand. It’s a feature that saves space by keeping files online until you open them.
Sounds useful, right? But what if you want all files downloaded and stored on your computer? Let’s disable File On-Demand!
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What is File On-Demand?
File On-Demand is a OneDrive feature in Windows that helps save space. Instead of keeping all files on your hard drive, it stores them in the cloud. You only download them when you open the file.
This can be useful, but it might slow things down. Also, if you don’t have an internet connection, you won’t be able to access cloud-only files.
How to Disable File On-Demand
Turning off File On-Demand is easy! Just follow these steps:
- Click on the OneDrive icon in the taskbar (near the clock).
- Click the gear icon, then select Settings.
- Go to the Sync and backup tab.
- Under “Advanced settings,” find Files On-Demand.
- Uncheck the option to Save space and only download files when you use them.
- Click OK, then Close.
That’s it! Now, all your files will be downloaded and stored on your PC.
Do You Need to Do Anything Else?
Once you disable File On-Demand, your files won’t disappear, but they will be re-downloaded to your PC. Your internet connection might get busy if you have a lot of files.
To manually download all files, do this:
- Go to your OneDrive folder in File Explorer.
- Right-click any folder and select Always keep on this device.
Repeat this for all folders you want stored on your computer.
What If You Change Your Mind?
Want to turn File On-Demand back on? No problem!
- Open OneDrive Settings again.
- Go to the Sync and backup tab.
- Enable Save space and only download files when you use them.
Now, your files will act like before, staying online until you open them.
Why Disable File On-Demand?
Some people prefer to keep all files on their PC. Here’s why:
- You can access files without the Internet.
- Files open instantly, no waiting for downloads.
- Great for large projects that you need offline.
- No surprise when a file is missing because it’s only online.
Final Thoughts
File On-Demand is useful but not for everyone. If you want quick, offline access to all your files, turning it off is the way to go.
Now you know how to disable it! Your files will always be there, ready to use, even when you’re offline.