License & Subscription Issues

Why Microsoft 365 Has 1 TB OneDrive But 50 GB Email Storage

Jason Miller Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know why their Microsoft 365 subscription has different storage limits for emails and cloud files, and how to check their 1 TB OneDrive storage capacity.

Why Microsoft 365 Has 1 TB OneDrive But 50 GB Email Storage

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing Microsoft 365 subscription storage allocations across different services.
Observed behavior: Account information displays a 50 GB limit for Outlook.com emails while allocating a separate 1 TB limit for OneDrive cloud storage.

Before you start

Ensure you are signed in to the correct Microsoft account associated with your active Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription to view accurate storage metrics.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Your OneDrive Storage Metrics

Learn how Microsoft splits your storage and navigate to your OneDrive settings to view your exact available cloud storage capacity.

Microsoft 365 handles document storage and email storage as two separate services. You are given 1 TB of space exclusively for OneDrive (used for files, photos, and documents) and a distinct 50 GB limit specifically for your Outlook.com mailbox.

Sign in to OneDrive

Open your web browser, navigate to OneDrive.com, and log in with your Microsoft 365 account credentials.

Access OneDrive Settings

Click on the gear icon located in the top-right corner of the screen to open the Settings panel, then select 'OneDrive settings'.

View Storage Metrics

In the left sidebar, click on 'More settings', then select 'Storage metrics'. This page will display exactly how much of your 1 TB allocation has been used and what percentage remains available.

Storage Allocation Rules: You cannot combine these two limits. If you reach your 50 GB email limit, you must delete emails to free up space, even if you have hundreds of gigabytes free in your 1 TB OneDrive.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management

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1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my 1 TB of OneDrive storage for my Outlook emails?

No, Microsoft 365 storage limits are strictly separated. The 1 TB of storage is solely for OneDrive files, and it cannot be used to expand your 50 GB Outlook.com email storage.

What happens when my Outlook email storage reaches 50 GB?

Once your email storage reaches the 50 GB limit, you will be unable to send or receive new emails. You will need to delete old emails, empty your deleted items folder, or remove emails with large attachments to free up space.

Does WPS Office provide its own cloud storage?

Yes, WPS Office includes an integrated cloud storage service called WPS Cloud, which allows you to safely save, sync, and access your documents seamlessly across your computer and mobile devices.

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