How to Clean Up OneDrive Cache and Files?

Raza Ali Kazmi Cloud, Solutions

Nowadays, almost every website and application builds a cache. The cache is useful to reduce resource load time and increase efficiency. OneDrive is no exception. OneDrive app builds a cache to simplify the file syncing process and make it quick.

Cleaning OneDrive cache is important. However, with deduplication of OneDrive you can clear a lot of storage space and organize your One drive files. You can use the Sorcim’s Cloud Duplicate Finder web-app.

 

However, if your Internet connection drops constantly while your files are being synced online, it can cause the cache to become corrupted. When that occurs, the file sync may not work smoothly or OneDrive may behave unexpectedly. The solution is to clean up your cache.

 

Cleaning Up OneDrive Cache

Unfortunately, some OneDrive editions (such as desktop and iOS apps) do not have a direct option to clean up your cache. To clean the cache on your desktop app, you would need to reset the application or reinstall it. To clean the OneDrive cache on an iOS-based device, you would need to reinstall it. This will fix any underlying issues and you will need to sign in to your account again.

If you’re using the OneDrive app on an Android smartphone, it’s simple and straightforward. There is a direct way to clean up your cache without impacting the app configuration or reinstalling the app.

 

Will I Lose Any Data While Cleaning Cache, or Resetting/ Reinstalling OneDrive App?

Short & simple answer: No, you would not.

Cleaning up the OneDrive cache, resetting the OneDrive app or reinstalling OneDrive does not affect any data stored on your OneDrive cloud account. It only deletes the local files downloaded from the OneDrive server, along with the cache and other app configurations. Your files on the OneDrive cloud account will be accessible as before.

 

A] Reset OneDrive in Windows

OneDrive Sync App for Desktop

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

  1. Click on the Search box on the taskbar.
  2. Type Command Prompt in the search box and open it.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type wsreset.exe
  4. Press Enter.
  5. Once the command executes, close the Command Prompt. It may take around 10 seconds.

 

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Type the following command: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
  3. Press Enter.

Note: If the above command didn’t work, your app path may be different. Try one of the following alternate commands:

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

 

Method 3: Reinstall OneDrive

For Windows 11:

  1. Click the Start button and then select Settings.
  2. Click on the Apps tab, followed by Apps & Features.
  3. Scroll down and locate the Microsoft OneDrive application.
  4. Click on More > Uninstall.
  5. Re-install the OneDrive app.

 

For Windows 10:

  1. Click on the Start button.
  2. Right-click on the OneDrive app.
  3. Select the Uninstall option.
  4. Re-install the OneDrive app.

 

OneDrive Microsoft Store App

Microsoft Store is available for only Windows 10 and Windows 11 users. If you’re already using OneDrive from the Microsoft Store, there is a direct way to reset it.

  1. Click on the Start button.
  2. Type the following: apps:onedrive
  3. Click on App Settings > Reset.

 

B] Reset OneDrive Mac App

  1. Exit OneDrive.
  2. Click on the cloud icon on the top tray.
  3. Choose Settings > Quit OneDrive.
  4. Locate the OneDrive application from the Applications folder.
  5. Right-click on the OneDrive app and select Show package contents.
  6. Select Contents > Resources.
  7. Double-click on ResetOneDriveApp.command or ResetOneDriveAppStandalone.command

 

C] Clear OneDrive Android App Cache

  1. Open the main menu.
  2. Tap on Settings.
  3. Tap on Applications > Manage Applications.
  4. Scroll down and tap the OneDrive app.
  5. Tap on Force Stop.
  6. Tap on the Clear Cache button.
  7. Did that fix your OneDrive issue? If not, repeat the above steps and then tap on the Clear Data button.

 

D] Reset OneDrive iOS App

  1. Press and hold the OneDrive icon.
  2. Tap on the X symbol.
  3. When you’re prompted to confirm, tap the Delete App option.
  4. Press and hold the Sleep/ Wake and Home buttons together. Release them after 8-12 seconds.
  5. Now re-install the OneDrive app from the App Store.