How do I make space in my OneDrive?

The OneDrive website shows that the space has already been freed, so refresh the Windows OneDrive sync client rather than deleting more files.

1. Check that Windows is displaying the same account

1. Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar notification area near the clock. If it is hidden, select the ^ arrow.
2. Select Help & Settings → Settings → Account.
3. Compare the displayed email address with the account used on the OneDrive website.

If they differ, the computer is reporting storage for another OneDrive account. Sign into the intended account instead. If they match, continue below.

A short delay after deleting files and emptying the online Recycle Bin is normal, but the website’s storage page should be used to check the actual cloud quota.^1^

2. Restart and reset OneDrive

First quit OneDrive from cloud icon → Help & Settings → Quit OneDrive, and then open it again from Start → OneDrive. Check whether the warning and old 4.1 GB figure disappear.

If they remain, perform Microsoft’s non-destructive reset:

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Enter:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

3. Select OK.
4. Wait briefly, then open Start, type OneDrive, and launch the app if it does not restart automatically.
5. Allow the full synchronization to finish, then reopen the cloud-icon panel.

Resetting does not delete files, but it resets OneDrive settings and rebuilds the sync connections.^2^

If Windows reports that it cannot find OneDrive, run one of these instead:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset

3. If the old quota still appears

Unlink and reconnect the matching account:

1. Select OneDrive cloud icon → Help & Settings → Settings → Account.
2. Select Unlink this PC → Unlink account.
3. Press Windows key + R, enter the following path, and select OK:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings

4. Delete PreSignInSettingsConfig.json.
5. Start OneDrive and sign in with the same account used on the website.
6. When told that a OneDrive folder already exists, select Use this folder.

Unlinking does not delete local or cloud data; OneDrive reconnects and resynchronizes the folder.^3^

If the online quota still shows approximately 0.2 GB used after synchronization completes but Windows continues to report 4.1 GB, use Contact Microsoft Support from the OneDrive support page because the remaining issue is with the client/account storage status rather than files that still need deleting.^4^

References

1. [Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/delete-files-or-folders-in-onedrive#delete-items-from-your-onedrive,-your-hard-drive,-or-both-in-windows)
2. Reset OneDrive | Microsoft Support
3. Unlink and re-link OneDrive
4. [Personal accounts](https://support.microsoft.com/onedrive/fix-onedrive-sync-problems)