License & Subscription Issues

How to Get More Than 1 TB of OneDrive for Business Storage

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

An organization needs to increase their available cloud storage because a user on OneDrive for Business Plan 1 has reached the maximum 1 TB capacity limit.

Product: OneDrive for Business
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user has exhausted the standard 1 TB storage allocation and needs to provision additional cloud storage space to continue uploading business files.
Observed behavior: The current OneDrive for Business Plan 1 account is strictly capped at a maximum of 1 TB per user, preventing further data uploads without a subscription upgrade.

Before you start

Verify your current Microsoft 365 subscription plan and ensure you have the contact information for your organization's Microsoft 365 IT administrator.

Solution 1Recommended

Upgrade to a Qualifying Microsoft 365 Enterprise Plan

To exceed the 1 TB limit, your organization must switch to a plan that includes SharePoint Plan 2, such as Microsoft 365 E3 or E5.

OneDrive for Business Plan 1 provides a strict maximum of 1 TB of storage per user. Individual users cannot purchase additional storage for this specific plan.

To increase this capacity, Microsoft requires organizations to use Enterprise plans and meet specific conditions, such as having a minimum of five licensed users on the subscription.

Identify your current plan

Review your current Microsoft 365 OneDrive for Business service description in the billing or subscription section to confirm you are on Plan 1.

Contact your IT Administrator

Reach out to your organization's Microsoft 365 administrator or licensing provider to formally request a storage limit increase.

Upgrade the subscription

Have the administrator upgrade the user licenses to Microsoft 365 E3, E5, or another plan that contains SharePoint Plan 2, which allows for expanded storage capabilities.

Eligibility Requirements: Even with a qualifying E3 or E5 plan, your organization typically needs 5 or more users on the subscription to qualify for storage increases up to 5 TB or beyond.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for Seamless Document Management

While resolving Microsoft 365 storage limits often requires costly Enterprise upgrades, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for your team. WPS Office includes its own integrated WPS Cloud service, ensuring you can manage, save, and collaborate on your documents efficiently without expensive mandatory tier upgrades.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free application and install it on your device.
2. Sign In for Cloud Access: Create a free account or sign in to activate your complimentary WPS Cloud storage space.
3. Open Existing Files: Easily open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly in WPS Office with zero formatting loss.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Built-in WPS Cloud storage for easy document syncing, backup, and collaborationLightweight application that requires minimal system resourcesFree to download and use with a familiar, user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to buy extra storage just for OneDrive for Business Plan 1?

No, Microsoft currently caps OneDrive for Business Plan 1 at exactly 1 TB per user. To acquire more storage, you must upgrade your subscription tier to an Enterprise plan like E3 or E5.

How much storage is provided in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 plans?

Qualifying Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 subscriptions provide up to 5 TB of initial storage per user if the organization has 5 or more users. Administrators can increase the default 1 TB storage to 5 TB in the SharePoint admin center, and eventually request up to 25 TB per user through Microsoft support.

Who has the authority to change my OneDrive for Business storage limit?

Only your organization's Microsoft 365 global administrator or SharePoint administrator has the administrative permissions to upgrade plans and adjust default storage limits for user accounts.

Login & Account Issues