In a recent development, Microsoft has made significant changes to its OneDrive for Business storage subscriptions. This article breaks down the key details you need to know to stay informed about these alterations.
1. No More Unlimited Storage for New Subscribers
Effective from July 28 this year, Microsoft has stopped offering unlimited cloud storage as part of OneDrive for Business plans for new subscribers. This means that if you’re considering a new subscription, you won’t have access to unlimited storage.
2. Existing Subscribers’ Privileges
Organizations that already possess a OneDrive for Business (Plan 2) subscription with unlimited storage will retain this privilege. They can renew their subscriptions and even add more seats as needed.
3. Default Limit Set to 1TB per User
The default storage limit for available OneDrive for Business subscriptions has been reduced to 1TB per user. This means that by default, new subscribers will have access to 1TB of cloud storage for each user.
4. Possibility of Up to 5TB per User
Although the default limit is 1TB, some users can potentially increase their storage to 5TB per user. However, this option is not available to everyone. Here are the details:
- To qualify for the 5TB option, an organization must have a OneDrive for Business subscription under plan 2.
- Initially, there is a 1TB per user limit, but administrators have the authority to raise it to 5TB per user.
5. Eligibility for Expanded Storage
To be eligible for the increased storage option of up to 5TB per user, an organization must have a minimum of five users with a OneDrive for Business subscription under plan 2. This is important to note if your organization is looking to expand its storage capabilities.
6. Microsoft’s Response to Customer Demand
According to Microsoft, these changes are in response to customer demand. The company aims to streamline the purchasing process for customers who use OneDrive for Business standalone plans. Existing customers on these plans can still add seats and renew their licenses without any issues.
7. When Do These Changes Apply?
The alterations to OneDrive for Business storage limits took effect between July 14 and July 28 this year. This means that if you’re considering subscribing to OneDrive for Business, you’ll need to adhere to the new storage limits outlined in this article.
8. Available Subscriptions
Currently, Microsoft’s website lists OneDrive for Business (Plan 1) for new subscribers. However, it’s important to remember that this plan comes with a default storage limit of 1TB per user. Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include cloud storage also have the same 1TB per user limit.
Conclusion
As businesses increasingly rely on cloud storage for their files and data, it’s crucial to stay updated on changes to storage subscription limits. Microsoft’s recent modifications to OneDrive for Business storage limits affect new subscribers, with a default limit of 1TB per user. Existing subscribers with unlimited storage privileges can continue to renew their subscriptions and add seats. Additionally, some organizations may be eligible to increase their storage to 5TB per user under certain conditions. Stay informed about these changes to make informed decisions about your organization’s cloud storage needs.