Why Exchange Online Archives Have 50 GB or 100 GB Limits
Question details
The user wants to understand the reasons behind the 50 GB and 100 GB storage limits for Microsoft 365 Exchange Online archive mailboxes and how subscription plans affect this capacity.
- Product
- Microsoft Exchange Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Administrators and users need to clarify the storage capacity limits for their online archive mailboxes and determine how to manage or expand them.
- Observed behavior
- Archive mailboxes are capped at either 50 GB or 100 GB depending on the assigned Microsoft 365 subscription plan, limiting the amount of historical email that can be stored.
Ensure you have access to the Microsoft 365 admin center with global administrator or Exchange administrator privileges to verify user licenses and manage mailbox settings.
Identify Your Exchange Online License Limits
Different Microsoft 365 plans come with varying archive storage capacities. Verifying the assigned license will explain the current limit.
Archive capacity is strictly determined by the assigned Microsoft 365 license.
Exchange Online Plan 2 offers a 100 GB archive mailbox by default. Conversely, Exchange Online Plan 1, Microsoft 365 Business Basic, and Business Standard plans provide a 50 GB limit. Shared mailboxes without specialized licensing are also capped at 50 GB.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center using your administrator credentials.
Click on 'Users' in the left-hand navigation pane, then select 'Active users'.
Select a specific user from the list and navigate to the 'Licenses and apps' tab to verify whether they are assigned an Exchange Online Plan 1 or Plan 2 license.
Enable Auto-Expanding Archiving for Additional Storage
Once the initial 50 GB or 100 GB threshold is approached, auto-expanding archiving can automatically provide additional storage space for eligible accounts.
Manage Your Documents Effectively with WPS Office
While Microsoft 365 handles your Exchange email infrastructure, WPS Office serves as a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office desktop applications. Enjoy lightweight word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentation design without worrying about hefty subscription fees.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button for your specific operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- 3. Start Creating: Launch WPS Office, sign in to unlock free cloud storage, and start opening your existing Microsoft Office files instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Microsoft 365 Business Standard archive limited to 50 GB?
Microsoft 365 Business Basic and Business Standard plans include Exchange Online Plan 1, which has a hard limit of 50 GB for the archive mailbox. To increase this capacity, an upgrade to Plan 2 or an Exchange Online Archiving add-on is required.
Do shared mailboxes include a 100 GB archive limit?
No, shared mailboxes have a default archive limit of 50 GB. If you need a 100 GB archive for a shared mailbox, you must explicitly assign an Exchange Online Plan 2 license to that specific shared mailbox.
What happens when my archive mailbox reaches its maximum limit?
Once the archive storage limit is reached, users will no longer be able to move or archive additional items into it. Enabling auto-expanding archiving (if appropriately licensed) will automatically allocate more space to prevent workflow disruptions.
How can I check how much archive storage is currently being used?
Users can monitor their archive usage directly via the Outlook Web App. Click the Settings gear icon, select 'General', and then view the 'Storage' section to see a breakdown of your current mailbox and archive capacity.
