Suspicious Login Issues

How to Check if Someone Is Accessing Your OneDrive Account

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to verify if unauthorized users are accessing their OneDrive account and how to resolve an issue where OneDrive storage remains full despite deleting files.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Monitoring account security for suspicious logins and troubleshooting persistent storage quota errors.
Observed behavior: The user suspects unauthorized access and notices that the OneDrive storage quota does not update after removing files from the drive and email.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft account credentials ready and are connected to a stable internet connection to accurately review your live account activity and storage settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Review Account Activity and Empty the Online Recycle Bin

Check your Microsoft account's recent activity page for unauthorized access and ensure deleted files are permanently removed from the web Recycle Bin.

Often, files deleted from the desktop or mobile app are moved to the online Recycle Bin, meaning they still consume your total storage quota.

Check sign-in activity

Log into your Microsoft account on the web, navigate to the Security tab, and select 'Sign-in activity' to review all recent logins and device connections.

Open OneDrive on the web

Navigate to the OneDrive website and sign in to view your actual cloud storage data.

Clear the Recycle Bin

Click on 'Recycle bin' in the left navigation pane, then click 'Empty recycle bin' at the top of the screen to permanently delete files and free up storage space.

Solution 2

Unlink and Relink Your OneDrive Account

Refreshing your local OneDrive connection can resolve syncing bugs that cause your desktop storage quotas to display incorrectly.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft Support for Account Escalation

If your storage total remains incorrect or you find undeniable proof of unauthorized access, escalate the issue to the OneDrive support team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my OneDrive still full after I deleted files?

Files deleted from your OneDrive are simply moved to the Recycle Bin and continue to count against your storage quota. You must manually empty the Recycle Bin on the OneDrive website to permanently free up space.

How can I tell if someone else is using my Microsoft account?

You can view all recent login attempts, IP addresses, and device connections by visiting the 'Security' section of your Microsoft account dashboard and clicking on 'Sign-in activity'.

What should I do if I see a suspicious login on my account?

If you notice unfamiliar activity, immediately change your Microsoft account password and enable two-step verification (2FA) in your security settings to block unauthorized access.

Microsoft Office Security Issues