Ever wondered, does deleting an online only folder remove it from OneDrive? This guide breaks down what actually happens to your files in OneDrive and on your device. Learn about online-only folder management, deletion consequences, and how to safeguard your data.
Have you ever wondered what happens when you click the “Delete” button on a OneDrive folder that is only accessible online? This is a question that has crossed the minds of many tech-savvy people at least once. To clear up the confusion, let’s explore the world of OneDrive and online folders.
Online-only folders can be considered temporary digital storage. They act like bookmarks, directing users to files or folders that are only stored on the OneDrive servers. Folders that are only accessible online are only accessible via the Internet, while synced folders are downloaded directly to your device. This means they won’t take up valuable space on your computer’s hard drive until you want them to.
Now, before we dive into how to delete folders that are only accessible online, let’s first talk about disabling OneDrive on your computer. This is like turning off Wi-Fi on your phone. In short, disconnecting means that you are cutting off the connection between the OneDrive servers and your computer. This means that you won’t be able to access your files directly from your device, but it doesn’t mean that they are deleted. Think of your files as a temporary hiatus. When you reconnect later, your OneDrive folders will sync again and you’ll be able to use them normally.
Let’s get to the main topic: deleting an online-only folder. Here’s a quick guide to help you get it done without any problems:
1. Fire up the OneDrive app on your computer or log into your OneDrive account in a web browser.
2. Navigate to the online-only folder you want to delete.
3. Right-click the folder (or, if you’re using a touchscreen, tap and hold).
4. Select “Delete”: From the menu that appears, select “Delete.”
5. Confirm your selection: You’ll be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the data from OneDrive. If you’re sure, tap “Delete” again.
The reaction depends on whether the folder is online-only or synced. If the folder is synced, deleting it from OneDrive will also delete it from your computer. However, if you delete a folder that’s only accessible online, it’ll only be deleted from the cloud. So you don’t have to worry about your local copy.
Deleting an online-only folder is like erasing a page from a digital book. It's gone forever. The folder and its contents are permanently removed from OneDrive's servers. So, be sure you're absolutely certain before you hit that delete button.
There are some additional things to keep in mind:
This article addresses the question “Does deleting an online-only folder remove it from OneDrive?” If you’re considering migrating files from your current cloud service to OneDrive, or vice versa, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.
For instance, it allows for seamless file transfers from cloud drives like Google Drive to OneDrive without the need to download and then re-upload files. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDAV, and more.
Yes, deleting an online-only folder from OneDrive is a fairly straightforward process. However, it’s important to make sure you’re doing the right thing. Before you hit the delete button, always think carefully about making a backup if you’re ever in doubt.
Unfortunately, if an online-only folder is removed from OneDrive, it cannot be restored and cannot be viewed in any recycle bin because deleted files are removed permanently.
If you share a folder that is only available on the Internet with other people, they will only be able to access it over the Internet. However, they cannot download it on their devices without specific permission from you.
Absolutely! you can convert your online-only folder into a synced folder. The process involves right-clicking on that specific folder, and then selecting “Always keep this folder on my device”. By doing so, it will automatically download into your local computer becoming a synchronized folder.