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When a personal Microsoft account runs out of shared cloud storage, OneDrive stops accepting uploads and syncing new changes. Existing OneDrive files become read-only, and Outlook.com email or Teams attachments may also be affected. Microsoft warns that an account left over quota may be frozen after three months and that OneDrive files may be deleted after six months, so check the account’s storage breakdown and act promptly.
What stops working when OneDrive is over quota?
A personal Microsoft account’s cloud allowance is shared by OneDrive and data in other Microsoft services, including Outlook.com attachments and inline images. A OneDrive warning can therefore be caused by content outside the OneDrive file list. Microsoft’s current support guidance lists 5 GB of free shared cloud storage for personal accounts. Microsoft storage FAQs
- OneDrive stops accepting new uploads and syncing or editing new files. Microsoft says, “Your existing files will remain but will be read-only.” You can still download or delete files.
- Outlook.com has a separate mailbox-storage meter: Microsoft lists 15 GB of free email storage and up to 100 GB for Microsoft 365 subscribers. But Outlook.com attachments and inline images also count toward shared Microsoft cloud storage, so a full shared quota can affect email even if the mailbox meter is not full.
- Microsoft says messages sent to an over-quota Outlook.com account are returned to the sender. After you get under quota, the sender must resend them; do not assume they will be delivered later automatically.
- Teams messages with attachments can also be affected by the shared storage quota.
Microsoft explains the shared limit in its Microsoft storage quotas guidance and lists mailbox limits in Storage limits in Outlook.com.
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Microsoft says a personal account that remains over its allowance may be frozen after three months. If it stays over quota, Microsoft may delete OneDrive and its files after six months; Microsoft warns that files deleted this way cannot be recovered. These are stated risks, not a guarantee that every account will be frozen or deleted on an exact day. Review Microsoft’s current frozen-account guidance and storage FAQs for your account.
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How to free cloud storage safely
- Confirm the account and storage meters. Sign in to the Microsoft account that showed the warning and inspect its storage usage. Check both shared cloud storage and, if relevant, the separate Outlook.com mailbox meter; attachments can count toward the shared cloud quota.
- Review large or unnecessary OneDrive content. Delete only files you no longer need. If you want to keep a local copy but remove the cloud copy, move the file outside the OneDrive folder. Deleting a synced file can remove its OneDrive copy too. Microsoft’s OneDrive deletion instructions explain how deletion works.
- Empty the OneDrive recycle bin only when you are sure. Deleted items can continue to use cloud storage while they remain there. Permanently removing them from the recycle bin frees space, but they can no longer be recovered. Microsoft notes that the storage display may take time to reflect the change.
- Check whether the problem is actually local disk space. A computer’s “Disk full” warning is different from a full Microsoft cloud quota. If the issue is local, clear space on the computer or adjust which folders sync; avoid deleting cloud files just to fix a local-disk warning. See Microsoft’s Disk full troubleshooting.
- Check whether more cloud storage is available for your account. Microsoft lists a subscription purchase or eligible additional storage as possible options. Entitlements vary by account and plan, so check your account’s current offer rather than assuming a particular upgrade applies.
Cloud storage and computer disk space are different
Deleting a cloud file can reduce Microsoft storage, but it may also remove the synced copy. By contrast, Files On-Demand or selective sync can reduce how much space synced files use on your computer while retaining the cloud copies. Those settings do not reduce the Microsoft cloud quota.
| Action | Reduces Microsoft cloud usage? | Keeps a cloud copy? | Can free local computer space? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delete files and permanently remove them from the OneDrive recycle bin | Yes | No, once permanently deleted | Usually |
| Move a file outside the OneDrive folder | Yes, after it is removed from OneDrive | No | Depends on the destination |
| Use Files On-Demand or selective sync | No | Yes | Yes |
| Buy or extend eligible cloud storage | No; it raises the available allowance | Yes | No, not by itself |
| Clean the computer’s local disk while retaining cloud content | No | Yes | Yes |
What if OneDrive is already frozen?
Free space or otherwise bring the account under its quota, then allow time for the change to take effect. Microsoft says recovery can take up to 24 hours. If the account remains frozen after 48 hours, contact Microsoft support through the frozen-account guidance.
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Personal versus work or school accounts
The storage figures and three- and six-month timelines above apply to Microsoft’s personal-account guidance. Work or school OneDrive quotas may be set or adjusted by an organization. If you use a work or school account, remove content only as appropriate and contact your IT administrator about the quota or account status.
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