Eliminating stale data frees up storage space for faster performance, makes finding your files easier, and reduces Pitt’s carbon footprint. With a few strategic cleanup techniques, you can significantly reduce your OneDrive storage footprint and make finding files faster.
Check Your Current Storage Use and Set a Goal
Here’s how to see how much storage space you’re using in OneDrive.
1. Log in to pitt.onedrive.com.
2. Check the storage indicator in the bottom-left corner of the screen. A good storage target to aim for is around 250 GB.
Strategies to Reduce Your OneDrive Storage
Quick Win: Find Your Largest Files
1. Log in to pitt.onedrive.com.
2. Click the link below the Storage heading in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
3. Review your list of largest files and delete those you no longer need. To delete a file, right-click and select Delete.
4. Be sure to empty your recycle bin after deleting files. Files in the recycle bin continue to take up storage space. Click Recycle bin in the left-hand navigation bar, then click Empty recycle bin.
Quick Win: Search for Duplicate Files
Use OneDrive's search box to find potential duplicates by searching for terms like “copy” and “v2” or file names ending in (1) or (2). Delete any duplicate files you find and then empty your recycle bin.
- Tip: You can also use the Search feature to look for large files by searching for file extensions like .zip, .mp4, .mov, .iso, or .pst.
Find Your Largest Folders
The previous tips focused on finding large individual files However, you also might have entire OneDrive folders that you no longer need. To find your largest folders, you can use OneDrive’s Storage Metrics feature.
1. Log in to pitt.onedrive.com.
2. Click Settings (gear icon), then OneDrive Settings.
3. Click More Settings, then Storage Metrics.
4. Review the folders that are consuming the most space and determine if there are any stale folders that you no longer need. You can’t delete folders from Storage Metrics. Instead, search for the folder name within OneDrive and delete it from there. Make sure to also empty your recycle bin!
Know Your Options: Moving Data to Alternative Storage Solutions
OneDrive is a good storage solution for files that you need to access almost every day. However, other storage solutions exist that might be an even better fit for your needs.
- Cloud Archive: Ideal for cheaply storing data that is rarely needed
- Azure Files: Ideal for accessing files from a folder on your desktop
- Enterprise Storage: Ideal for active data you will be using and computing on
If you are interested in exploring alternative storage solutions, contact the Technology Help Desk at +1-412-614-HELP (4357) for a consultation.