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License & Subscription Issues

How to Buy Additional OneDrive Storage Without Other Services

Elise WilliamsElise Williams Sep 25, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to increase their OneDrive cloud storage capacity without purchasing a bundled subscription containing unrelated Microsoft services or applications.

How to Buy Additional OneDrive Storage Without Extra Microsoft Services
Product
Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Upgrading cloud storage capacity for personal or professional files while minimizing subscription costs.
Observed behavior
The user needs to navigate Microsoft's various subscription tiers to find a standalone storage option or the most minimal plan available.
Before you start

Log into your Microsoft account and check your current storage metrics to determine exactly how much additional space you need before purchasing a new plan.

Solution 1Recommended

Purchase Microsoft 365 Basic for 100GB Storage

This is the most cost-effective way to get additional storage without paying for the full desktop Office suite.

Microsoft has largely replaced its standalone 100GB OneDrive plan with Microsoft 365 Basic. While it carries the 'Microsoft 365' name, it does not include the premium desktop versions of Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. It is designed specifically for users who primarily need more cloud storage and an ad-free email experience.

1
Log into Microsoft

Go to the official OneDrive or Microsoft Account website and sign in with your credentials.

2
Navigate to Storage Plans

Click on your profile icon, select 'My Microsoft Account', and navigate to the 'Storage' or 'Subscriptions' section.

3
Select Microsoft 365 Basic

Locate the 'Microsoft 365 Basic' plan, which offers 100GB of OneDrive storage. Click 'Buy now' or 'Upgrade'.

4
Complete Purchase

Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your payment details and finalize the subscription.

Purchase Microsoft 365 Basic for 100GB Storage
Availability: Depending on your region, legacy standalone OneDrive plans may no longer be available, making Microsoft 365 Basic the minimum upgrade tier.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

Save on Subscriptions by Switching to WPS Office

If you are trying to avoid expensive Microsoft 365 bundles just to get cloud storage, consider switching your office software to WPS Office. By using a free, fully featured office suite, you can save money and use your budget for standalone cloud storage providers of your choice.

  1. 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
  2. 2. Install the Software: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
  3. 3. Sign In for Cloud Benefits: Open WPS Office and create a free account to unlock your complementary WPS Cloud storage.
Completely free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft OfficeHighly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsFamiliar user interface ensuring a seamless migrationIncludes free built-in WPS Cloud storage for easy document syncing
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy 1TB of OneDrive storage without a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription?

No, Microsoft currently ties the 1TB and larger OneDrive storage tiers directly to their Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions. You cannot purchase 1TB as a standalone service.

What happened to the OneDrive Standalone 100GB plan?

In most regions, Microsoft replaced the standalone 100GB plan with Microsoft 365 Basic. It provides the same 100GB of storage at a similar price point, but adds ad-free Outlook and Microsoft technical support.

How can I check how much OneDrive storage I am currently using?

Log into your OneDrive account on the web, click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings, and select 'Options'. From there, click 'Manage storage' to view your current usage and limits.