OneDrive for Mac Gets Files On-Demand

Back in September, we reported that Microsoft is bringing OneDrive’s Files On-Demand feature to the Mac. At the time, it wasn’t exactly clear when the feature will be available.

Microsoft has now updated the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, stating that Files On-Demand is now rolling out on the Mac. The rollout started yesterday, and it’s not clear exactly how long it will take before the feature is available to everyone. The feature will be available through the regular OneDrive sync client, as first spotted by Twitter user Tero Alhonen.

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Files On-Demand, for those unfamiliar, is a feature that helps you save local storage by keeping them online. Instead, these files are only downloaded when you actually need them, saving storage space locally. Just like on Windows, you can choose to always keep a folder or files on your device, so they don’t have to be downloaded to be opened every time. That way, you can keep files that you need frequently downloaded locally, in case you don’t have an internet connection when you actually need them.

It’s a pretty smart and neat way of saving local storage space, especially if you have a base model MacBook with 128GB of storage.

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Conversation 3 comments

  • the_risner

    04 January, 2019 - 5:10 pm

    <p>A month or so ago (~Nov 2018), I scrubbed around my OneDrive folders on my Mac. I saw right-click menu options such as "Always keep on this device" and "Free up space". The folder and file icons had circled checkmarks or clouds. But all the file structure was represented in Finder. If this is not Files On Demand, then it offers similar (and much appreciated) benefits.</p><p><br></p><p>I really enjoy Office 365 Home on our Apple devices. Microsoft's dedication to all the popular platforms is excellent.</p>

  • RossNWirth

    Premium Member
    04 January, 2019 - 6:28 pm

    <p>The reply to the linked tweet says this is only OneDrive for Business :-(</p>

    • rfog

      05 January, 2019 - 5:18 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#391550">In reply to RossNWirth:</a></em></blockquote><p>F*ck!!!! </p>

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