I am deleting duplicate photos etc

If the photos are inside a synchronized OneDrive folder, deleting them from Microsoft Photos or File Explorer deletes them from both the computer and OneDrive—not just from the computer.

Check before deleting

In File Explorer, locate one of the listed photos and inspect its folder:

• A path containing OneDrive, such as C:\Users\YourName\OneDrive\Pictures, means the photo is synchronized.
• Deleting that photo sends it to both the Windows Recycle Bin and the OneDrive Recycle Bin. The deletion also synchronizes to other devices.^1^
• A photo outside the OneDrive folder is normally only on that computer, so deleting it affects the computer copy.

Before removing duplicates, open the photos and compare them rather than relying only on similar filenames. Keep the best-resolution or original copy.

To free computer space without deleting photos

For photos you want to retain in OneDrive:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Open your OneDrive folder.
3. Select the photos or folders.
4. Right-click and choose Free up space.

The photos become online-only and show a blue cloud icon. They remain visible on the computer and stored in OneDrive, but no longer occupy normal local disk space. They download again when opened while connected to the Internet.^2^

Do not press Delete when the objective is only to recover computer space. Microsoft specifically recommends Files On-Demand for keeping a file in OneDrive without having it consume space on the computer.^3^

If you delete the wrong photo

Open OneDrive on the web, select Recycle bin, select the photo, and choose Restore. For a personal OneDrive account, deleted files remain in its recycle bin for up to 30 days.^4^

Avoid emptying either recycle bin until the remaining photographs have been checked.

References

1. Manage photos and videos with Microsoft Photos app | Microsoft Support
2. Save disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows | Microsoft Support
3. [Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/delete-files-or-folders-in-onedrive#delete-items-from-your-onedrive,-your-hard-drive,-or-both-in-windows)
4. Work with synced files in File Explorer | Microsoft Support