Microsoft Begins Slashing OneDrive’s Free Storage Accounts To 5GB
In April 2016, we had informed our readers that Microsoft had started emailing its OneDrive cloud storage service users notifying them of reduction of free space from 15GB to 5GB effective July 27 for those who didn’t opt-in for Microsoft’s previous OneDrive offer. The Redmond giant had also notified that it would eliminate 15GB free camera roll bonus on OneDrive accounts on that same date.
The notifications also mentioned that accounts with more than 5GB of content would be marked as read-only. Users would be able to view and download files stored in such accounts, but they would not be able to add new documents, photographs or other files.
Microsoft has also pledged that customers whose accounts exceeded 5GB will be able to access their files for nine months, or until around the end of April 2017.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has started downgrading the free storage allotment of its OneDrive cloud service from 15GB to 5GB, just as the Redmond outfit said it would when it announced the impending reduction back in November of 2015.
Some OneDrive customers have received emails telling them that as of July 13, their accounts were set as read-only. Here’s the message it’s sending out to users:
We want to let you know about some upcoming changes to OneDrive. On 7/13/2016, the amount of storage that comes with OneDrive will change from 15GB to 5GB. We are also discontinuing the 15GB camera roll bonus. You can learn more at our FAQ.
There is no action you need to take, because your OneDrive account is currently below the new storage limits. Even though you aren’t currently affected, we want to keep you updated on all the important changes to OneDrive. If you’d like to check your account, you can visit the Storage page.
We realize these are big changes to a service you rely on. We want to apologize for any inconvenience they may cause you. We made a difficult decision, but it’s one that will let us sustainably operate OneDrive into the future.
Thank you for using OneDrive.
— The OneDrive Team
Others have received similar messages, but with a July 27 deadline, making the emails a 14-day warning and giving users two weeks to remove enough files to drop the total under the 5GB limit.
Additional restrictions are to be placed on OneDrive accounts next year. In April 2017, Microsoft will lock accounts in excess of 5GB, blocking users from accessing all files. Three months after that, Microsoft has said it may start deleting files in overstocked accounts.
More information about the OneDrive changes and their timing can be found in a FAQ on Microsoft’s website.
Users who are upset by OneDrive’s reduction in storage have another option available for them that is Google Drive, which will offer you with 15GB of free storage when you sign up.
