How to Clear OneDrive Cache in Windows 10 and 11 (Reset Guide)

When OneDrive gets stuck on “Processing changes,” shows files that will not sync, or keeps using a lot of CPU, clearing its cache usually fixes it. OneDrive does not have a “Clear cache” button, but resetting OneDrive clears its local sync database and settings and makes it rebuild everything from scratch. This guide covers the reset command for Windows 10 and Windows 11, what a reset does and does not delete, how to free up the disk space OneDrive uses, and what to try if the reset does not help.

Quick Answer

Press Windows key + R, paste %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset, and click OK. Wait a minute or two for the OneDrive cloud icon to come back. If it does not, open OneDrive from the Start menu. Your files are not deleted. OneDrive only re-checks and re-syncs them.

What “Clearing the OneDrive Cache” Means

OneDrive keeps a local database of every synced file, plus settings, logs, and temporary upload data, under %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive. If that data gets out of step with the cloud, sync stalls. Resetting OneDrive:

• Clears the sync database, cached settings, and pending sync state.
• Disconnects and reconnects all your sync connections, including your personal and work or school accounts.
• Keeps the files in your OneDrive folder on your PC and in the cloud.
• May reset some choices, such as which folders you sync or whether Desktop, Documents, and Pictures are backed up. Check these after the reset.

There are two other kinds of “cache” people often mean. Files On-Demand copies are downloaded copies of cloud files, and you can remove them to free up space (covered below). Office upload cache belongs to older Office versions and is handled separately.

How to Reset OneDrive (Windows 10 and 11)

1. Let pending uploads finish if you can. If a file has changed on your PC but has not uploaded yet, copy it somewhere outside the OneDrive folder first, just in case.
2. Press Windows key + R to open Run.
3. Paste this command and click OK:
   %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
4. If you see “Windows cannot find…”, OneDrive is installed for all users. Try these instead, one at a time:
   C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
5. The OneDrive icon disappears from the notification area. Wait about two minutes.
6. If the icon does not return, open Start, type OneDrive, and open the app. You can also run %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe without /reset.
7. Sign in if asked, then let OneDrive finish checking your files. With a large library, this can take a while.

Reset OneDrive from Settings (Windows 11)

If OneDrive was installed from the Microsoft Store, or the command does not work, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find Microsoft OneDrive, open its menu, and look for Advanced options > Reset. Not every install shows this option. If yours does not, use the command.

Reset Command Reference

Situation	Command (paste into Run)
Standard per-user install (most PCs)	%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Installed for all users (64-bit)	C:\Program Files\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Installed for all users (older 32-bit path)	C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Restart OneDrive after a reset	The same path without /reset

Free Up Disk Space Used by OneDrive

If you want to clear the cache because OneDrive is taking up too much space, you do not need a reset. Use Files On-Demand instead:

1. Open File Explorer and go to your OneDrive folder.
2. Right-click a file or folder you do not need offline.
3. Choose Free up space. The local copy is removed, but the file stays in the cloud. It shows a cloud icon and downloads again when you open it.

To do this automatically, open Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense. Under the OneDrive section, set locally available cloud content to go online-only if it has not been opened for a set number of days.

Items marked Always keep on this device (a solid green check) are not freed up. Change them to Free up space first.

If the Reset Does Not Fix Sync

• Restart the PC after the reset, then check the OneDrive icon for errors.
• Update OneDrive: click the OneDrive icon and open Settings > About to see the version. Then install the latest OneDrive from Microsoft if yours is out of date.
• Check storage: a full OneDrive account or a full local drive stops syncing.
• Look for problem files: very long paths, unsupported characters, or files open in another app can block sync. The OneDrive activity center lists them.
• Unlink and relink: in OneDrive Settings > Account, click Unlink this PC, then sign in again and choose the same folder location.
• Reinstall: uninstall Microsoft OneDrive from Settings > Apps, restart, and reinstall it. Your synced files stay in the cloud.

Clear Office Upload Cache (Older Office Versions)

If Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files are stuck uploading, the problem may be the Office cache, not OneDrive. In OneDrive Settings, look for an Office tab or section. Turning off Use Office applications to sync Office files that I open stops Office from using its own upload cache. Older Office versions also had the separate Office Upload Center, which has a Delete cached files button. Newer Microsoft 365 versions do not include it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting OneDrive delete my files?

No. Resetting clears OneDrive’s local sync data, not your documents. Files in your OneDrive folder and in the cloud stay where they are. To be safe, back up any recent changes that have not uploaded yet before you reset.

How long does a reset take?

The reset itself takes a minute or two. OneDrive then has to re-scan your files, which can take from a few minutes to several hours for very large libraries.

Can I just delete the OneDrive folder in AppData?

Don’t. Deleting folders under %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive can remove the OneDrive program itself. The /reset command is the supported way to clear that data.

Is the process the same on Windows 11?

Yes. The same reset commands work on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows 11 may also offer a Reset button under Installed apps.

Why did my Desktop and Documents stop backing up after the reset?

A reset can clear folder backup settings. Open OneDrive Settings > Sync and backup > Manage back up and turn the folders back on.

Summary

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Run %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset, or use a Program Files path if that one is not found.
3. Wait for OneDrive to restart, or open it from Start.
4. Recheck your synced folders and backup settings.
5. Use Free up space or Storage Sense if disk space was the real problem.