Storage Changes for OneDrive Users

At the end of 2015, Microsoft announced that it would be reducing free OneDrive storage from 15 GB to 5 GB on 13th July, 2016. It will also be discontinuing the 15 GB camera roll bonus.

This caused outrage amongst hard-core OneDrive fans, and as a result, Microsoft later announced two concessions to its unhappy users:

a) Those that were disappointed about the drop in storage could simply opt-in on the web (that offer ended in January 2016), and they could continue using that storage forever.

b) Customers of the free OneDrive service that were using over 5 GB of storage would be given one-year free subscription to Office 365 Personal, which includes 1 TB of storage.


So what will happen on 13th July?
For those that will be affected, Microsoft are warning that if you don’t bring your OneDrive content under the new limits (5 GB of free storage), your account will become read-only. So you’ll be able to access your content, but not upload files. If you do not take action in one year, your content may be deleted.

What should I do now?
For those affected by OneDrive’s proposed storage reduction, Microsoft are suggesting the following three solutions to bring your account within your storage limits:

1. You can claim a free one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal (which comes with 1 TB of storage).
2. Purchase additional storage.
3. Remove some files.


It seems a little bizarre that Microsoft are effectively rewarding those that have never paid a penny with free storage, yet those that have been paying for additional OneDrive storage get nothing. But either way, the change is happening, and soon.