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Microsoft Storage vs Email Storage

Anonymous
2023-02-22T21:04:27+00:00

I noticed Microsoft did some changes to the storage, and recently there is a red bar showing up in my outlook.com page. But when I looked at the storage, I am totally confused:

  • My email storage is fine: 11.2 GB/15GB
  • My OneDrive storage is fine: 3.1GB/5GB
  • But "Microsoft Storage" exceeded the limit: 9.8GB/5GB

What should I do now? What will happen if I don't do anything? (I tried to upload a screenshot, but it doesn't work)

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Settings

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-04-15T05:50:12+00:00

    Agreed!
    It's completely misleading to say we have 15gb email storage when a huge component of that - attachments - is ALSO part of cloud storage which is only 5gb.
    I'm at a loss to know how you can truly make use of that extra 10gb of email storage - unless you basically barely sent attachments/images.
    Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but first hand experience for me was - no emails could be sent or received until I cleared out a ton of emails - and that was due to me being oversized in Outlook CLOUD not Outlook EMAIL storage,

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-03-30T21:52:56+00:00

    Thanks for the screenshot.

    >>
    I read the article you referred, which makes me confused
    <<

    Yeah, its not very clear IMHO.

    >>
    t seems email attachments are counted towards both Microsoft storage and email storage
    <<

    It should only be counted towards OneDrive storage - which they are now calling Microsoft storage. That is a change made recently where attachments (including embedded images) use OneDrive storage. The changes are just rolling out - my account only has OneDrive storage, not Microsoft storage - so it's possible they are still working counting attachments in OneDrive.

    Are you able to save files to OneDrive?

    Like all users I find this confusing.

    I perceive the issue here is the 5GB Limit on Cloud which when exceeded, despite having ample Email Storage, can no longer send or receive emails until space is freed up. Technically removing Cloud should not affect data which is stored in Email. When viewing the attachments, this seems to be saved in Email rather than Cloud. Not sure how to move forward with this unless I pay for a subscription. There doesn`t seem to be any options to contact Microsoft Support.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-30T21:28:12+00:00

    I opened OneDrive and somehow found a page that showed (titled) "Largest Files in your OneDrive." I deleted them. Then it showed "See Recent Files." I deleted them too. I keep checking to make sure items were still on my PC and they were. Went from 22.5 GB to 15.8 GB but still shows 15.8 GB of 15 GB, so will tackle my inbox next.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-03-30T19:11:19+00:00

    I have been using my hotmail for over 20 years, but it shows the same 5GB in OneDrive and 15GB in Email. I think it is the confusion coming from. Finally I paid subscription fee for Office 365 to unlock my hotmail. Microsoft has changed since Gates left, it is not a tech giant anymore, just a pure business man.

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