License & Subscription Issues

What Happens to OneDrive Storage After a 100 GB Free Trial Ends?

John Wilson Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to understand the impact on their existing files and storage limits once their one-month 100 GB OneDrive free trial expires.

What Happens to OneDrive Storage After a 100 GB Free Trial Ends?

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: The user is nearing the end of a 100 GB free trial for OneDrive and needs to know how the storage reversion affects their saved data.
Observed behavior: The user seeks information on whether files will be deleted or restricted when their account reverts to the default storage capacity.

Before you start

Check your current OneDrive storage usage by logging into your Microsoft account online to see exactly how much data you have stored before the trial expires.

Solution 1Recommended

Managing Your Files Before and After Your OneDrive Trial Expires

Understand the storage limitations and take action to protect your files and ensure continuous sync before the trial ends.

When your 100 GB free trial ends, your storage capacity will automatically revert to the capacity included with your regular plan. For free users, this means dropping back to the default 5 GB limit. Microsoft does not immediately delete your files if you are over the limit.

However, if your stored data exceeds your new storage limit, your OneDrive will become restricted. Existing files remain fully accessible for viewing and downloading, but you will not be able to upload new files, edit existing ones, or synchronize changes across devices until you reduce your storage usage or purchase a subscription.

Check your current storage usage

Go to the OneDrive website, sign in with your Microsoft account, and look at the storage gauge located in the bottom-left corner of the screen to see how much space you are using.

Download important files locally

Select any large or essential folders in your web browser and click the 'Download' button on the top toolbar to save a local backup to your computer's hard drive.

Delete unnecessary large files

Sort your OneDrive files by size and delete unwanted videos, photos, or heavy documents to bring your total usage safely below the standard 5 GB limit.

Empty the OneDrive Recycle Bin

Files moved to the Recycle Bin still count against your storage quota. Click on 'Recycle bin' in the left navigation pane and select 'Empty recycle bin' to permanently free up the space.

Managing Your Files Before and After Your OneDrive Trial Expires

Outlook Email Limitations: Since Microsoft storage is shared across services, exceeding your OneDrive storage limit may also prevent you from sending or receiving emails in Outlook.com.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Streamlined Document Experience

If you are evaluating your software subscriptions after a trial ends, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Office, complete with its own integrated WPS Cloud storage, ensuring you can seamlessly create, edit, and sync documents without heavy subscription fees.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installation package, and run the installer on your computer.
2. Sign In for Cloud Storage: Open WPS Office and sign in using your Google, email, or social account to activate your free WPS Cloud storage.
3. Save and Sync Documents: Create a new document and save it directly to WPS Cloud to ensure it is automatically synced and accessible across all your devices.

Comes with free WPS Cloud storage to easily backup and sync your important documentsSeamless compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight application that runs smoothly across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and AndroidFamiliar user interface requires no learning curve when migrating from Microsoft Office

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Microsoft delete my files if I exceed the 5 GB limit after the trial?

Microsoft will not immediately delete your files. Your files will remain safe and accessible for viewing and downloading. However, if your account remains significantly over its storage limit for an extended period (usually 12 months), Microsoft may eventually delete files or close the account. It is highly recommended to back up your data or reduce your usage.

Can I still access and view my files if my OneDrive storage is full?

Yes, you have full read-only access to your files. You can view, open, and download any files stored in your OneDrive to your local computer, even if you are over your storage quota. You simply cannot make edits, upload new items, or sync new data.

How do I increase my OneDrive storage after the free trial ends?

To increase your storage beyond the free 5 GB limit, you must purchase a Microsoft subscription. You can opt for Microsoft 365 Basic, which provides 100 GB of storage, or upgrade to a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family plan, which includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage per user.

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