Today, Microsoft announced that they would be making some changes to OneDrive by discontinuing unlimited storage and also reducing free storage capacity from 15GB to 5GB for all users.
The changes arrive due to Microsoft discovering that some users were abusing the online storage service. Microsoft disclosed that in some extreme cases, users were storing in excess of 75TB (75,000GB) of data on a single account.
Microsoft has outlined the following changes that will go into effect:
- We’re no longer planning to offer unlimited storage to Office 365 Home, Personal, or University subscribers. Starting now, those subscriptions will include 1 TB of OneDrive storage.
- 100 GB and 200 GB paid plans are going away as an option for new users and will be replaced with a 50 GB plan for $1.99 per month in early 2016.
- Free OneDrive storage will decrease from 15 GB to 5 GB for all users, current and new. The 15 GB camera roll storage bonus will also be discontinued. These changes will start rolling out in early 2016.
As mentioned above, some of the changes won't occur immediately as Microsoft will allow users some time to transition.
- If you are an Office 365 consumer subscriber and have stored in excess of 1 TB, you will be notified of this change and will be able to keep your increased storage for at least 12 months.
- If you are an Office 365 consumer subscriber and find that Office 365 no longer meets your needs, a pro-rated refund will be given. To learn more visit the FAQ.
- If you are using more than 5 GB of free storage, you will continue to have access to all files for at least 12 months after these changes go into effect in early 2016. In addition, you can redeem a free one-year Office 365 Personal subscription (credit card required), which includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage.
- Current customers of standalone OneDrive storage plans (such as a 100 or 200 GB plans) are not affected by these changes.
If you would like more information regarding the changes, Microsoft has a fairly detailed FAQ available. What are your thoughts about the new changes?
Source: OneDrive via Windows Central
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