OneDrive: getting “Files on Demand” back

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and noticed that the Files On-Demand feature in Microsoft OneDrive has disappeared, you’re not alone. Many users have found themselves in the same predicament, frantically searching for solutions to restore this handy feature. The ability to access files stored in the cloud without downloading them to your local storage is not just a convenience; it can save valuable disk space and keep your files organized and accessible. After struggling with this problem for quite some time and performing extensive research on forums and tech websites, I finally stumbled upon a fix that worked for me, and I’m excited to share it with you.

To set the context, let’s briefly talk about what the Files On-Demand feature in OneDrive actually does. This functionality allows you to browse all your files in OneDrive without taking up local storage on your device. You can see which files are available online and download them as needed. This is especially useful for users with limited storage capacity on their devices or those who want to manage their files more efficiently. So, when this feature went missing after my Windows 11 upgrade, it was not just an inconvenience; it felt like I had lost an essential tool for productivity.

After many hours spent looking for solutions online, I found that I was not alone. Numerous other users were raising the same issue on various forums, yet the responses often fell short of providing concrete and actionable solutions. Some threads were outdated, and I found it frustrating that I couldn’t even respond to those discussions, as they had been closed for new comments. However, deep within a Microsoft discussion thread, I finally discovered a potential workaround that worked for me.

The fix involves editing a file specific to your OneDrive account. Each account has a configuration file located at “%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings\Personal”. Before proceeding, it’s crucial to make sure you have backed up any important data and are comfortable performing system configuration changes.

Here is a step-by-step guide to restoring the Files On-Demand feature:

1. End OneDrive Process: The first step involves stopping the OneDrive process that is currently running. You can do this quickly by right-clicking your taskbar and selecting “Task Manager.” In the “Processes” tab, find “Microsoft OneDrive” and click “End Task.” This will close OneDrive entirely, allowing you to make the necessary changes.
2. Locate the Global.ini File: Navigate to the folder where the configuration settings for OneDrive are stored. You can do this by copying the path "%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\settings\Personal" and pasting it into the File Explorer address bar. You should see a file named “global.ini” within that directory.
3. Edit the Configuration File: Before you open the file, it’s a good idea to create a backup. Simply copy the original “global.ini” file and paste it somewhere safe, just in case something doesn’t work as expected. Now, right-click on “global.ini” and select “Open with” and choose a text editor like Notepad.
4. Modify the Placeholder Setting: In the text editor, search for the line that reads PlaceholdersEnabledUserSettingTribit = true. This setting is the culprit behind the missing Files On-Demand feature. Change the line to read PlaceholdersEnabledUserSettingTribit = false. Make sure you don’t delete any other lines or alter the structure of the file; just this one line needs to be modified.
5. Save Changes and Exit: After making the change, save the file and exit the text editor. Go back to Task Manager and restart OneDrive. You can do this by either searching for OneDrive in the Start menu or typing OneDrive in the Run dialog box (you can open this by pressing Windows key + R).
6. Check for Files On-Demand: Once OneDrive is up and running again, go to the OneDrive settings by right-clicking the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray. There should now be a section that allows you to enable Files On-Demand. If everything went according to plan, you should see the feature restored and operational.

In my experience, this process successfully restored the Files On-Demand feature on two different computers, both using a personal OneDrive account and OneDrive for Business. While it’s always a little nerve-wracking to manually edit configuration files, this method offered a straightforward solution.

For anyone who has been stuck in a similar predicament, I hope this guide helps you bring back the Files On-Demand feature in OneDrive. This method may not be officially sanctioned by Microsoft, so proceed with caution and ensure your data is backed up. If you have any doubts or face issues while executing these steps, it’s always wise to seek professional assistance.

Just remember, you’re not alone in this. The community around Microsoft products is vast, and with a little persistence, most problems can be solved. As with any technical hiccup, keeping an open mind and being willing to try different solutions can lead you to the fix you need.