download OD files to ext HD for backup?

PA WOODCHUCK · Feb 18, 2024

I'd like to DL OD files to have backup on EXT HD files are 70GB on OD but only 8GB on PC since most are still in cloud. I'm thinking I need to save all to PC and then copy to HD and once done change OD setting back to "free up space"?

Or only select folders to DL such as documents
Any other options?
Just started checking out FreeFile Sync

thanks

Porthos · Feb 20, 2024

I keep all files local so they are part of my Macrium images and also on One Drive as well. Redundancy.
I have plenty of drive space as well.

cereberus · Feb 20, 2024

PA WOODCHUCK said:
I'd like to DL OD files to have backup on EXT HD files are 70GB on OD but only 8GB on PC since most are still in cloud. I'm thinking I need to save all to PC and then copy to HD and once done change OD setting back to "free up space"?

Or only select folders to DL such as documents
Any other options?
Just started checking out FreeFile Sync

thanks

It is not good practice to use mobi type abbreviations. It took me a couple of readings to realise DL OD meant download onedrive files.
Also use HDD for hard drive or SSD for steady state drive.

You really answered your own questions and have spent more time waiting for a reply than actually doing the job!

Of course you have to download files first before you can copy them to a hard drive. As you can say you can free up space afterwards.

You can choose which folders to download of course.

garlin · Feb 20, 2024

The problem is copying all of your OneDrive folders causes a local file sync, ballooning your disk space from 8 to 70 GB. There is no easy way to remove the local copies, other than tediously marking each folder/file to be kept in the cloud only, or waiting 30 days for Windows to clean up the idle files. If you wanted to backup your OD files on a regular basis, this task becomes a headache.

There are commercial solutions for syncing or exporting cloud content. You provide the app with your OD, Google Drive or Dropbox login credentials and it talks directly to the network API for each service. This way, the app can inventory your entire account and transfer content in or out without needing to force a local sync. But none of them are free.

OneDrive has a web interface, where you can export files but I don't think you can dump all 70 GB in one pass.

Porthos · Feb 20, 2024

garlin said:
OneDrive has a web interface, where you can export files but I don't think you can dump all 70 GB in one pass

Could give it a try

cereberus · Feb 20, 2024

garlin said:
The problem is copying all of your OneDrive folders causes a local file sync, ballooning your disk space from 8 to 70 GB. There is no easy way to remove the local copies, other than tediously marking each folder/file to be kept in the cloud only, or waiting 30 days for Windows to clean up the idle files. If you wanted to backup your OD files on a regular basis, this task becomes a headache.

There are commercial solutions for syncing or exporting cloud content. You provide the app with your OD, Google Drive or Dropbox login credentials and it talks directly to the network API for each service. This way, the app can inventory your entire account and transfer content in or out without needing to force a local sync. But none of them are free.

OneDrive has a web interface, where you can export files but I don't think you can dump all 70 GB in one pass.

It is easier than this.

You just select free all space and local copies are removed - takes a couple of minutes.
You can just turn off Files on Demand and all 70 GB will get downloaded (may take a while depending on download speed).
Copy files elsewhere, then turn on FOD and free up space.

It is clear from OPs post, this would be a one off. In future OP would copy files to HDD and to Onedrive frreing up space afterwards (one click only).

garlin · Feb 20, 2024

I think the problem is OP already has 8 GB of synced content, which they're only interested in keeping. I agree with you that an "all or nothing" solution would be far simpler.