how can I delete a photo on my Windows 10 phone without deleting them on One Drive.

[Windows Central Question]

When I delete a photo I get the menu that it will be deleted from both files. What is the point of One Drive if I can't use it for storage?

 

[Maurizio Troso]

When I delete a photo I get the menu that it will be deleted from both files. What is the point of One Drive if I can't use it for storage?

Are talking about desktop or mobile?

 

[Ipheuria]

Once the files are synced you can choose where to have the files reside. In other words if you want to free space on your computer by having the files on OneDrive. First make sure all files are synced so they exist both in OneDrive and on your computer. Then go your taskbar (lower left near the time) and right click the Onedrive icon choose settings or preferences. I'm on a Mac so you go to Account and then Choose Folders and you will get a list of everything on OneDrive. You uncheck what you intend to delete from your computer. When you apply the change you will get a message that the changes will no longer be synced to OneDrive. The same setting is in Windows. Once that change has been made you can delte the files from your computer and they will still remain in OneDrive. After you delete the files I would give it a day or two before emptying the recycle bin just in case there was any hiccup in the settings.

 

[Chintan Gohel]

Once the files are synced you can choose where to have the files reside. In other words if you want to free space on your computer by having the files on OneDrive. First make sure all files are synced so they exist both in OneDrive and on your computer. Then go your taskbar (lower left near the time) and right click the Onedrive icon choose settings or preferences. I'm on a Mac so you go to Account and then Choose Folders and you will get a list of everything on OneDrive. You uncheck what you intend to delete from your computer. When you apply the change you will get a message that the changes will no longer be synced to OneDrive. The same setting is in Windows. Once that change has been made you can delte the files from your computer and they will still remain in OneDrive. After you delete the files I would give it a day or two before emptying the recycle bin just in case there was any hiccup in the settings.

That's a good explanation, I couldn't have said it better myself :smile:, however, that would be for pc, the OP mentioned windows phone in the title :smile:

 

[Chintan Gohel]

When I delete a photo I get the menu that it will be deleted from both files. What is the point of One Drive if I can't use it for storage?

which OS version are you on? Have you tried to see what happens when you delete the photo? Does it also disappear on onedrive?

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[Bollycats]

I'm not the original poster, but I too have the same problem. I'm on a Lumia 950, so Windows 10, and every time I delete a photo it says it will delete on One Drive, which it does. I too want One Drive for storage of photos I don't necessarily want on my phone all the time. I've checked every setting I can think of, but I don't see a solution.

 

[jeffchapik]

Go to Photos > Folders > Pictures (This Device) > whatever folder it is in and delete it there. It will leave it alone on One Drive.

 

[Chintan Gohel]

I'm not the original poster, but I too have the same problem. I'm on a Lumia 950, so Windows 10, and every time I delete a photo it says it will delete on One Drive, which it does. I too want One Drive for storage of photos I don't necessarily want on my phone all the time. I've checked every setting I can think of, but I don't see a solution.

in photos app, unlink or sign out of onedrive and then try deleting