Managing Storage in OneDrive via Web Browser

Managing Storage in OneDrive via Web Browser

If you're experiencing storage issues in OneDrive, follow the steps below to clear your Recycle Bin and identify potential duplicate files to free up space.

1. Access Your OneDrive via a Web Browser

1. Open your preferred web browser (Google Chrome, MS Edge, Safari, etc.) and navigate to www.queensu.ca

2. Select the Sign In drop down on the right-hand side and select Outlook on the web-Email. This will bring you to your Outlook on the web.
3. Click the Ellipsis (3x3 square dots) in the op left-hand corner and then select Onedrive. 

2. Clear the Recycle Bin

Deleted files in OneDrive are moved to the Recycle Bin and still count against your storage quota until they are permanently deleted.

To empty the Recycle Bin:

1. In the left-hand navigation pane, scroll down and click on "Recycle bin."

2. Review the deleted items to ensure nothing important is being removed.

3. To remove everything:

   • Click “Empty recycle bin” at the top of the page.

4. Alternatively, you can select specific items and click “Delete” to remove them permanently.

Note: Items in the Recycle Bin are automatically deleted after 30 days, but manually clearing them will immediately free up space.

3. Check for Duplicate Files

OneDrive does not currently have a built-in tool for finding duplicates, but you can manually identify them.

To check for duplicates:

1. From the main OneDrive screen, navigate through your folders and look for files with:

   • Similar or identical names (e.g., Report_v1.docx, Report_v2.docx)

   • Similar file sizes and types

   • Recently modified dates

2. You can use the "Sort" function (top-right of the file list) to sort files by Name or Modified to make comparison easier.

3. Open and review files before deleting to confirm they are truly duplicates or outdated versions.

Additional Tips to Manage Storage

• Archive old files: Move older or infrequently used files to an external drive or another cloud service (e.g., SharePoint).

• Avoid uploading unnecessary media: Large videos and high-resolution images can quickly consume your storage. There are other Queen's resources for storing videos that can be used.

• Use Shared Libraries: Consider using SharePoint for department-wide storage needs, which offers higher capacity.

If you need help with setting up SharePoint or transferring files, please contact our team and we’d be happy to assist.