By default Windows 11 starts OneDrive and before you know it you are being told you’ve exceeded your storage space and need to pay for more.
We show you how to stop this from happening and how to safely remove any data thats been uploaded to OneDrive in the cloud.
You may see a warning sign like this
Click on the Chevron in the bottom right of screen and look for the White cloud with a cross. This is the Onedrive App on your computer and the cross indicates a problem
Each Microsoft account has a FREE 5GB OneDrive data allowance and 15GB free Email storage. Windows 11 has to be signed into a Microsoft account to set the computer up and as such, OneDrive starts automatically whether you want it to or not.
Before you know it, all your documents, Pictures, Videos and Music start to be copied to the OneDrive cloud
Click on the White cloud and you will see the status of what is being uploaded and and Error message saying “Not enough cloud storage”
Personally, I recommend paying for the storage as its the best way to safely backup your data in case of computer loss, theft or being hit by Ransomware Virus. You can purchase up to 1TB of cloud storage (see below)
However, not everyone trusts the cloud and if that is the case we strongly advise following the below link to backup your data to a USB or External Disk Drive
If you are concerned about your privacy and don’t want any of your data in the cloud (OneDrive) we show you the steps to safely remove the data from OneDrive and leave on your computer.
IMPORTANT: Follow these steps in order, else you risk deleting the data from OneDrive AND your computer
Step 1 – Disconnect the OneDrive syncing
See what has already been copied to OneDrive by clicking on the “view online” button, this will open OneDrive in the cloud
Click on “My Files” … and leave the window open
Click back in the Onedrive App and click on the “Cog” in the top right and then click on “Settings”
Now select “Account”
Now click on “Unlink this PC” to stop Onedrive from syncing to the OneDrive cloud
Confirm “Unlink Account”
Now check the OneDrive icon and it should appear as a white cloud with a line through it
This confirms that OneDrive is now off. Do not sign in again or the same thing will happen
Step 2 – Delete the copied data from OneDrive in the cloud
Return to the Browser Window showing the OneDrive data or go to https://onedrive.com and sign in, this confirms you have exceeded your 5GB limit and shows how many items you have in “My Files”
You need to delete all those folders and then empty the recycling bin.
If you are did not Unlink your account in step 1, anything you delete in the cloud will sync back to your PC and will also be deleted there.
So please be careful.
Select a folder and then click on “Delete” do this for all folders
Confirm the deletion
When all deleted, click on “Recycle Bin” and select “Empty Recycling Bin”… and answer “Yes”
Once the Recycle Bin is empty there will be no more data retained in the OneDrive cloud
As long as OneDrive remains signed out, nothing will copy or backup to the cloud and the error messages should cease
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