SharePoint Document Issues

Why OneDrive and SharePoint Storage Increases After Editing Video Thumbnails

Phi Hung Vo Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an unexpected increase in OneDrive or SharePoint storage space after editing video thumbnails.

Why OneDrive and SharePoint Storage Increases After Editing Video Thumbnails

Product: Microsoft SharePoint, OneDrive, Stream
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing video content and modifying thumbnails within Microsoft Stream stored on SharePoint or OneDrive.
Observed behavior: Storage usage spikes unexpectedly due to the generation of additional file versions, preview images, metadata, or retained recycle-bin content.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Collection Administrator or appropriate file owner permissions in SharePoint or OneDrive to access and manage Storage Metrics.

Solution 1Recommended

Use SharePoint Storage Metrics to Remove Unnecessary Versions

Identify exactly which files or file versions are consuming excess storage and delete unnecessary versions generated by thumbnail edits.

When you edit a thumbnail for a video in Stream, SharePoint automatically creates a new version of the entire video file. If the original video is large, this versioning process will drastically increase your storage usage.

Access Site Settings

Navigate to your SharePoint site or OneDrive on the web, click the Settings (gear) icon in the top right corner, and select 'Site information' followed by 'View all site settings'.

Open Storage Metrics

Under the 'Site Collection Administration' section, click on 'Storage Metrics' to view a breakdown of what is consuming your storage quota.

Locate the Video File

Navigate through the folders to locate the specific Microsoft Stream video files whose thumbnails were recently edited.

Delete Old Versions

Click on 'Version History' for the affected video files. Identify the older, duplicate versions created during the thumbnail update, select them, and click 'Delete' to free up space.

Use SharePoint Storage Metrics to Remove Unnecessary Versions

Permanent Deletion: Deleting a file version removes the ability to restore that specific historical state. Ensure you do not need the old metadata or previous thumbnail before confirming the deletion.

Solution 2

Empty the SharePoint Recycle Bin

Clear out residual preview data or deleted file versions that still count against your total storage quota.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does changing a single thumbnail create so much storage usage?

Editing a thumbnail or metadata in Microsoft Stream triggers SharePoint to create a completely new version of the video file for version history purposes. If the video is a large file, this duplicated version can consume significant storage space.

Can I disable versioning in SharePoint to prevent storage increases?

Yes, you can limit or disable versioning in your document library settings. Go to Library Settings > Versioning settings, and either turn off versioning or reduce the maximum number of versions kept to save space.

Does OneDrive calculate storage the same way as SharePoint?

Yes, OneDrive for Business is built on a SharePoint backend. File versions, preview images, metadata, and recycle bin contents all contribute to your total storage quota in both environments.

How long do items stay in the SharePoint Recycle Bin before being deleted?

By default, deleted items—including deleted file versions—remain in the SharePoint and OneDrive recycle bins for 93 days before they are permanently removed. During this time, they still count against your total storage limit.

Document & File Issues