Send & Receive Issues

Fix Hotmail Storage Full Error Despite Gmail Subscription

Rana Garcia Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user cannot send or receive emails in Hotmail because the mailbox is full, even though they recently purchased a 100 GB storage subscription through Gmail.

How to Fix Hotmail Storage Full Despite a Gmail Subscription

Product: Hotmail, Outlook, Gmail
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing email storage limits and cloud subscriptions across different service providers (Google and Microsoft).
Observed behavior: The Hotmail account reports that its storage is full and stops sending or receiving messages, as Google One (Gmail) storage subscriptions do not increase Microsoft account storage.

Before you start

Verify which email address is currently reporting the 'storage full' error and ensure you have the correct login credentials for both your Microsoft (Hotmail/Outlook) and Google (Gmail) accounts.

Solution 1Recommended

Clean Up Your Hotmail Storage Space

Use this method to free up space in your Hotmail or Outlook account without purchasing an additional Microsoft subscription.

Since Google (Gmail) and Microsoft (Hotmail) are entirely separate companies, purchasing 100 GB of storage for Google Photos or Gmail does not increase your Microsoft storage limit.

To get your Hotmail account working again for free, you must delete large emails and attachments to bring your mailbox size below the free 15 GB Microsoft limit.

Access Outlook Storage Settings

Log in to your Hotmail or Outlook account via a web browser. Click the Gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner, navigate to 'General', and select 'Storage'.

Empty the Deleted Items Folder

In the Storage menu, look for the 'Deleted Items' folder breakdown. Click the 'Empty' button next to it to permanently delete files you have already moved to the trash.

Sort and Delete Large Emails

Go to your Inbox or Sent Items. Click the 'Filter' icon, select 'Sort', and choose 'Size'. Select and delete emails with large attachments that you no longer need.

Storage Sync Delay: After deleting large files, it may take up to 24 hours for the Microsoft servers to update your storage quota and allow you to send or receive emails again.

Solution 2

Purchase a Microsoft Storage Subscription

If you cannot delete existing emails, you will need to purchase dedicated storage directly from Microsoft.

Solution 3

Auto-Forward Hotmail Emails to Gmail

Use this workaround to route new emails to your Gmail account so you can utilize your 100 GB of Google storage.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Save Local and Cloud Storage with WPS Office

Running out of Microsoft storage often means you need to rethink how you manage files and subscriptions. If you want to avoid paying for expensive Microsoft 365 subscriptions just to keep your files and emails active, WPS Office is the perfect free, lightweight alternative. It provides a seamless document editing experience without the heavy storage footprint.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation prompts to install the lightweight suite on your device.
3. Open Your Microsoft Files: Right-click any existing Microsoft Office document, choose 'Open with', and select WPS Office to view and edit your files seamlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight application that saves significant local hard drive spaceFree alternative to expensive Microsoft 365 plans, helping you manage your budget betterFamiliar user interface for a seamless, zero-learning-curve transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my 100 GB Google subscription apply to Hotmail?

Google and Microsoft are different companies with separate cloud infrastructures. A Google One subscription (which covers Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos) only applies to your Google account. It cannot be linked to or shared with a Microsoft (Hotmail/Outlook) account.

How can I check what is taking up my Hotmail storage?

Log in to Outlook on the web, click the Settings (gear icon), select 'General', and click 'Storage'. Here, you will see a visual breakdown of your folders and exactly how much space your emails and attachments are consuming.

Can I transfer my Google One storage subscription to Microsoft?

No, storage subscriptions cannot be transferred between different service providers. You would need to cancel your Google One subscription and purchase a new Microsoft 365 Basic subscription to get more space for your Hotmail account.

Will deleting emails from my iPhone mail app free up Hotmail server space?

Yes, as long as your email app is connected via IMAP or Exchange (which is standard for Hotmail/Outlook). When you delete an email in the app, it syncs with the server and deletes it from your cloud storage, freeing up space.

Outlook & Email Problems