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Microsoft 365 Business Standard & Exchange Online Plan 2 Storage Limits
Question details
The user wants to clarify the mailbox and archive storage capacities when using Microsoft 365 Business Standard with Exchange Online Plan 2, and whether Exchange Online Archiving can replace Plan 2.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Evaluating email storage limits, archiving options, and potential plan combinations for a business subscription.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking confirmation on whether combining specific plans yields a 100 GB mailbox and 100 GB archive, and understanding the exact role and limitations of the Exchange Online Archiving add-on.
Before modifying your subscription, verify your current Microsoft 365 plan details in the Microsoft 365 admin center and assess your organization's actual mailbox and archiving storage needs.
Clarifying Storage Capabilities for Business Standard and Plan 2
Understand the exact mailbox and archive limits provided by each plan to optimize your organization's subscription costs.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard natively includes a 50 GB mailbox. However, upgrading or adding Exchange Online Plan 2 changes these storage capabilities significantly.
Exchange Online Archiving is an add-on feature that requires an eligible base plan and cannot act as a standalone replacement for Plan 2.
By default, a Microsoft 365 Business Standard subscription provides a maximum 50 GB primary mailbox per user without any additional add-ons.
Applying Exchange Online Plan 2 provides a 100 GB primary mailbox and a 100 GB online archive. This plan also includes auto-expanding archive capabilities for users who need additional space over time.
Exchange Online Archiving is an add-on that requires an existing Exchange Online plan to function. It does not replace Plan 2. If you do not require a 100 GB primary mailbox, combining Exchange Online Plan 1 with the Archiving add-on may be a more economical choice.
Manage Your Business Documents Efficiently with WPS Office
While you configure your Microsoft 365 email subscriptions and evaluate storage costs, consider WPS Office for your document creation and editing needs. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office, perfect for businesses looking to optimize their software expenses.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the installer tailored for your Windows, Mac, or Linux operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the setup file and open WPS Office. You can immediately start creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without signing in.
- 3. Open Microsoft Formats: Drag and drop any existing Microsoft Office files into the WPS workspace to edit them seamlessly without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Exchange Online Archiving provide a primary mailbox?
No, Exchange Online Archiving is strictly an add-on for archiving purposes and requires an underlying Exchange Online base plan (like Plan 1) to function.
What is auto-expanding archiving in Exchange Online Plan 2?
Auto-expanding archiving automatically adds more storage space to your archive mailbox when the initial 100 GB limit is reached, ensuring your business never runs out of archiving space.
Can I mix and match Exchange Online plans in my organization?
Yes, Microsoft allows you to assign different Microsoft 365 or Exchange Online plans to different users based on their individual storage and archiving requirements.
