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One Drive keeps a huge file in my library on MacOS and I'm running out of space

Paul Greenwood 0 Reputation points
2026-05-11T13:06:10.05+00:00

One Drive appears to keep a huge file in my User library on MacOS and I'm running out of space. Any help on what I need to do?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For home | MacOS
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Paul Greenwood 0 Reputation points
2026-05-13T15:21:45.7766667+00:00

Dear Kai,

Many thanks for your reply. In the meantime, my available memory went from 40 GB to 160 GB without my touching anything, so the problem may have solved itself: I’m not sure how or why.

I have followed your instructions to Free Up Space.

I have tried to follow your instructions in One Drive Settings to Choose folders, but the little circle has been spinning for a few minutes and it is not showing any folders.

My USER library is showing 421 GB as OneDriveStandaloneSuite in group Containers and 363 GB under Cloud Storage, but neither of these seems to be counted in the memory used on my computer, as the memory available is about correct without counting them.

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  1. Kai-H 18,195 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-12T08:13:58.2733333+00:00

    Hi, Paul Greenwood

    On newer macOS versions, OneDrive stores its working files under the user Library or CloudStorage area, so it can look like OneDrive is using a huge amount of “System Data.” This usually happens when files have been opened/downloaded locally, marked “Always keep on this device,” or OneDrive has built up a large cache.

    Here are some suggestions you can try: In Finder, open your OneDrive folder, right-select large folders or files, and choose Free Up Space. That keeps them in OneDrive online but removes the local copy from the Mac. Also check OneDrive Preferences > Account > Choose folders and untick folders you do not need on this Mac.

    Avoid deleting random OneDrive files directly from the Library, as that can break sync or delete cloud files. If the space does not come back, quit OneDrive, restart the Mac, then reset OneDrive from the app package and set it up again. It is recommended that you first confirm your files are visible on OneDrive.com before resetting.

    Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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