Update on Microsoft 365 Storage Limit for Alumni

Summary:

Due to the “Storage Changes for Microsoft 365 Education | Microsoft Education” several measures will be implemented to free up storage space and improve loading times in your primary mailbox.

Date	What will happen?	What should you expect?
May 2025	Online Archive enabled for email. Auto-removal enabled for deleted email.	Emails older than 2 years are moved to the Online Archive mailbox automatically. Check your old emails there. Deleted emails older than 30 days are permanently removed.
16 Jun 2025	Email storage becomes 2GB.	Regularly clean your mailbox.
Jun – Dec 2025	OneDrive storage limit gradually reduces. OneDrive files become READ-ONLY.	Unable to edit files on OneDrive. Move files to other storage options.
16 Dec 2025	OneDrive will be terminated.	Unable to access OneDrive.

1.Email Online Archive & Auto-Removal of Deleted Item

Exchange Online Archive will be enabled (commencing May 2025):

Exchange Online Archive automatically transfers emails, Notes, Calendar and Tasks older than 2 years to the online archive (a new mailbox named “In-Place Archive” in Outlook). This new mailbox has same folder structure as the primary mailbox. As this new mailbox does not occupy space in the primary mailbox, it frees up storage and improves loading time.

Auto-removal of deleted items will be enabled

Deleted items will be auto removed permanently from the Deleted Item Folder after 30 days.

2. Housekeeping Tips to Manage Mailbox Size

Some easy tips here to help you manage email storage size to stay within the limit:

Check Email Storage Usage
Remove old emails from your mailbox regularly.
To send large attachments securely, e.g. files, photos, videos, instead of sending as an attachment, save the files on OneDrive/SharePoint first and share the link of the file/folder in email.
Empty Deleted Items Folder regularly, though items are auto removed after 30 days.
Empty Junk Email Folder regularly.
Avoid Cc yourself when sending an email, as a copy is available in Sent Items Folder.

3. Alternative Cloud Storage

The following are some, but not limited to, cloud storage options available in the market. Please visit corresponding service link for their subscription plans. Be mindful of data security and confidentiality when using public cloud storage services.

Microsoft Personal OneDrive (5 GB free cloud storage)
Google Personal Drive (15 GB free cloud storage)
iCloud (5 GB free cloud storage)
Dropbox (2 GB free cloud storage)
Box (10 GB free cloud storage)

4. Frequency Asked Questions

1.	Who is impacted by the Storage Reduction?
	All account holders are impacted in this change.
2.	How do I download my files from OneDrive to my PC/another repository?
	Please read Knowledge Base article on how to do.

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