Microsoft has announced that it will no longer be offering its unlimited storage option for its Microsoft OneDrive. The company will now put a 1TB limit on its cloud subscription service, which marks a significant shift in their storage policy.
Changes to Free Storage
In addition to capping the unlimited storage, Microsoft has also announced a reduction in the amount of free storage available on OneDrive. Previously, users were given 15GB of free data, but now this has been reduced to just 5GB. This change will affect many users who rely on OneDrive for their basic storage needs without subscribing to a paid plan.
Reasons Behind the Changes
Microsoft has explained that the reason for removing the unlimited storage option is due to some users exploiting the service by using an excessive amount of data. According to the company, a small number of users were backing up numerous PCs and storing entire movie collections and DVR recordings. In some instances, this usage exceeded 75 TB per user, which is 14,000 times the average usage.
Since we started to roll out unlimited cloud storage to Office 365 consumer subscribers, a small number of users backed up numerous PCs and stored entire movie collections and DVR recordings. In some instances, this exceeded 75 TB per user or 14,000 times the average. Instead of focusing on extreme backup scenarios, we want to remain focused on delivering high-value productivity and collaboration experiences that benefit the majority of OneDrive users.
Microsoft’s decision to limit storage is aimed at ensuring that the service remains sustainable and can continue to offer high-value productivity and collaboration experiences to the majority of OneDrive users. By focusing on the needs of the average user, Microsoft hopes to provide a more balanced and efficient service.
Impact on Users
The new storage limits will undoubtedly impact users who have been taking advantage of the unlimited storage option. Those who have been using OneDrive to store large amounts of data will need to find alternative solutions or adjust their storage habits to fit within the new 1TB limit. For many users, this may involve transferring data to other cloud storage services or investing in additional storage solutions.
For users who were relying on the 15GB of free storage, the reduction to 5GB may also necessitate changes in how they manage their data. This could include deleting unnecessary files, compressing data, or upgrading to a paid plan to accommodate their storage needs.
Future of OneDrive
Despite these changes, Microsoft remains committed to improving OneDrive and providing a valuable service to its users. The company has indicated that it will continue to focus on enhancing productivity and collaboration features, which are essential for both personal and professional use. By refining its storage policies, Microsoft aims to create a more sustainable and user-friendly cloud storage service.
Users can find out more information on the new storage limits and other updates to the Microsoft OneDrive cloud service by visiting the official OneDrive blog or checking out articles from reputable tech news sources.
Source Microsoft, Gizmodo
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