How to Move Files from OneDrive to Local Drive and Change Folder Properties in Windows 11

Learn how to move files from OneDrive to local drive and change the properties of My Documents and My Pictures folders in Windows 11.

OneDrive is a cloud storage service that allows you to sync your files across multiple devices and access them from anywhere. However, there may be times when you want to move some files from OneDrive to your local drive, such as when you have a backup of your documents and pictures on another service or device, or when you want to free up some space on your OneDrive account. In this article, we will show you how to move files from OneDrive to local drive and change the properties of My Documents and My Pictures folders in Windows 11.

How to Move Files from OneDrive to Local Drive

To move files from OneDrive to local drive, you can use the File Explorer app in Windows 11. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E keys or clicking the folder icon on the taskbar.
2. In the left pane, click on OneDrive to see your synced files and folders.
3. Select the files or folders that you want to move to your local drive. You can use the Ctrl or Shift keys to select multiple items.
4. Right-click on the selected items and choose Cut from the context menu.
5. In the left pane, navigate to the local drive or folder where you want to move the files or folders. You can also create a new folder by right-clicking on an empty space and choosing New > Folder from the context menu.
6. Right-click on the destination folder and choose Paste from the context menu. The files or folders will be moved from OneDrive to your local drive.

Alternatively, you can also drag and drop the files or folders from OneDrive to your local drive using the mouse.

How to Change the Properties of My Documents and My Pictures Folders

After moving the files from OneDrive to your local drive, you may want to change the properties of My Documents and My Pictures folders to point to the new location. This will ensure that any new files that you create or save in these folders will be stored on your local drive instead of OneDrive. Here are the steps to change the properties of My Documents and My Pictures folders in Windows 11:

1. Open File Explorer and go to This PC in the left pane.
2. In the right pane, right-click on the Documents folder and choose Properties from the context menu.
3. In the Properties window, click on the Location tab.
4. In the Location field, enter the path of the new folder where you moved your documents. For example, if you moved your documents to a folder named Documents on the C drive, enter C:\Documents.
5. Click on Apply. A dialog box will appear asking if you want to move all the files from the old location to the new location. Click on Yes to confirm. This will move any remaining files from OneDrive to your local drive and update the location of the Documents folder.
6. Repeat the same steps for the Pictures folder.

You can also use the Move button to browse and select the new folder for the Documents or Pictures folder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is the difference between moving and copying files from OneDrive to local drive?

Answer: Moving files from OneDrive to local drive means that the files will be removed from OneDrive and only exist on your local drive. Copying files from OneDrive to local drive means that the files will remain on OneDrive and also be duplicated on your local drive.

Question: How can I check the storage space of my OneDrive account?

Answer: You can check the storage space of your OneDrive account by clicking on the OneDrive icon on the taskbar and then clicking on More > Settings. In the Settings window, click on the Account tab and you will see the storage space used and available for your OneDrive account.

Question: How can I restore files that I accidentally deleted from OneDrive?

Answer: You can restore files that you accidentally deleted from OneDrive by going to the OneDrive website and clicking on the Recycle bin link on the left pane. You will see the deleted files and folders that you can restore by selecting them and clicking on Restore.

Summary

In this article, we showed you how to move files from OneDrive to local drive and change the properties of My Documents and My Pictures folders in Windows 11. This can help you to backup your files on another service or device, free up some space on your OneDrive account, or change the default location of your files. We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not affiliated with Microsoft or OneDrive and do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please use the information at your own risk and consult a qualified IT professional before making any changes to your system.