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How to Increase the 50 GB Mailbox Limit in Microsoft 365 Business Standard
Question details
The user wants to increase the 50 GB mailbox storage limit included in Microsoft 365 Business Standard without losing existing emails.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reaching the maximum 50 GB mailbox storage capacity in Microsoft 365 Business Standard and needing more space.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs a straightforward upgrade path from the default Exchange Online Plan 1 limit while safely retaining all current mailbox data.
Verify your current mailbox usage in the Microsoft 365 admin center to ensure you are actually approaching the 50 GB limit before purchasing upgrades or new licenses.
Upgrade Your Exchange Plan or Microsoft 365 Subscription
Purchase an Exchange Online Plan 2 add-on or upgrade your entire Microsoft 365 subscription to an Enterprise plan to increase your mailbox limit up to 100 GB.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard comes bundled with Exchange Online Plan 1, which has a strict mailbox limit of 50 GB. To increase this capacity to 100 GB, you must upgrade the specific user's license.
Your existing mailbox data is safely retained during the license transition. As long as the change is performed directly within your Microsoft 365 tenant, no migration of data is necessary.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials.
On the left-hand navigation menu, click on 'Billing' and select 'Purchase services'.
Search for 'Exchange Online Plan 2' to purchase it as an individual add-on, or browse the Enterprise section for full plans like 'Microsoft 365 E3' or 'Microsoft 365 E5'.
After completing the purchase, go to 'Users' > 'Active users'. Select the user who needs the storage increase, click on 'Licenses and apps', and assign the newly purchased Exchange Online Plan 2 or Enterprise license to automatically upgrade their mailbox limit.
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While upgrading Microsoft 365 plans can significantly increase your monthly business costs, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative for your local document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, ensuring a seamless workflow.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office files directly. They will open flawlessly with all original formatting preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Exchange Online Plan 1 include any archive storage?
Yes, Exchange Online Plan 1 includes a 50 GB In-Place Archive. You can enable archive mailboxes in the Microsoft Purview compliance portal to move older emails out of your primary mailbox, freeing up space without immediately upgrading your plan.
Can I simply buy more storage without changing my Microsoft 365 plan?
No, Microsoft does not offer standalone 'storage only' add-ons for Exchange Online Plan 1. To increase the limit beyond 50 GB, you must purchase a license that includes Exchange Online Plan 2.
How long does it take for the new mailbox limit to apply after upgrading?
Once you assign the Exchange Online Plan 2 or Enterprise license to the user, it typically takes anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours for the new 100 GB mailbox limit to be reflected in the system.
