Data and you subscription

Question

Hi. What happens to your data if you stop paying your subscription? Does it all just disappear? I'm wanting to change from a family subscription to a business one.

Answer 1

Hello, Jodie Brooks2.

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

I understand that you seem to want to know the status of your files on OneDrive after your current Family subscription expires . This determines the time period for you to renew your subscription. It's crucial to understand the implications for your OneDrive data. Here's a concise overview:

1.OneDrive data retention after subscription expires:

After expiring your Microsoft 365 subscription, your OneDrive data undergoes the following stages:

• Expired (First 30Days): Your OneDrive remains fully accessible; you can view, edit, and download files.
• Disabled (Next90Days): Your OneDrive becomesread-only. You can view and download files, but cannot edit or upload new ones.
• Terminal State(After 6 months):  Your OneDrive data is marked for deletion and will be permanently removed.

This timeline provides a total of up to 120 days to retain access to your data after expiration.

• -<What happens to my data and access when my Microsoft 365 for business subscription ends? | Microsoft Learn>
• -<What does it mean when your OneDrive account is frozen? - Microsoft Support>

2. Ensuring Data Continuity When Re-Purchasing

 ****     To maintain uninterrupted access to your OneDrive data:

• Acquire a new Microsoft 365 subscription（Business） in your desired currency after choosing the right renewal time based on the access you need to your files to ensure continuous access.
• Ensure you re-subscribe usingthe same Microsoft account associated with your previous subscription. This will restore full functionality to your existing OneDrive data.

Please refer to: -<OneDrive retention and deletion - SharePoint in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Learn>

⭐ Additional Considerations

• It's advisable to back up critical data locally before your subscription expires.
• Be aware that after your subscription expires, it reverts your OneDrive storage to the free 5GB limit. If your data exceeds this, your account may become frozen, restricting access until you reduce storage usage or re-subscribe. Refer to: Cloud Storage Pricing and Plans

By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage your subscription change without risking the loss of your OneDrive data. Feel free to let me know if anything unclear, thanks!🙂

Best Regards,

Hannah.Z- MSFT |Microsoft Community Support Specialist