Microsoft has restructured its cloud storage plans for Microsoft 365 Family and Premium subscriptions, replacing individual one-terabyte allocations for up to six users with a single, shared two-terabyte pool.
Cloud storage allocations for subscription tiers including Microsoft 365 Family and Premium have undergone a significant reduction. Previously, these plans provided each member of a household or group one terabyte of OneDrive storage for up to six users, creating a combined capacity of up to six terabytes under a single subscription. Under the updated model, the tech giant has reduced the total capacity to a shared pool of two terabytes for all six individuals combined.
Family and Premium Plans Transition to Shared Pools
The structural shift abandons individual quotas in favor of a pooled resource. Although all personal files, photos, and documents remain private by default, guaranteed capacity is now tied to household usage. The primary subscriber and up to five additional persons share the total two-terabyte allocation, marking a reduction of four terabytes for fully utilized accounts.
While the total volume shrinks, the shared framework introduces flexibility within the household. Any single user can occupy more than one terabyte of space as long as the overall subscription pool has free space available. If one person uploads large files, other members may find their available storage severely restricted.
Rollout Timelines and Renewal Rules for Existing Customers
The updated storage limits apply immediately to new and upgraded subscriptions, which took effect on October 8, 2026. Existing customers retain their current quotas temporarily, protected until their accounts reach specific milestone dates.
For current subscribers, the transition to the shared pool occurs at the first subscription renewal on or after May 2, 2027. Customers who have prepaid for multi-year periods keep their individual allocations until that contract term expires. Microsoft plans to notify affected users via email before the changes hit their accounts.
Upgrading from a standard family plan to a higher tier triggers the new storage limits immediately rather than waiting for the May 2027 deadline. Downgrading plans, conversely, generally preserves the current timeline until the renewal date arrives.
Microsoft Grants Grace Period for Storage Cleanup
Households exceeding the new two-terabyte ceiling after migration face a cleanup period. Microsoft grants a grace period of up to one year, during which uploaded files remain safe and accessible even if the account exceeds its cap. During this window, users can delete files, clear backups, or purchase extra capacity.
Additional storage is available for purchase up to a maximum of ten terabytes per subscription. Users must pay extra to maintain their former storage volumes.
Alongside the storage reductions, subscriptions incorporate broader access to artificial intelligence tools. The usage of Microsoft Copilot within Family and Premium tiers opens up to all members of the subscription group rather than remaining restricted exclusively to the primary account holder.
Other Consumer Tiers Maintain Existing Storage Quotas
Other consumer tiers escape the reduction. Microsoft 365 Personal maintains its one-terabyte quota, while the Basic tier remains at 100 gigabytes. Business and professional offerings see distinct adjustments, with the Microsoft 365 Pro plan offering a shared cloud storage pool of five terabytes.
| Subscription Tier | OneDrive Storage Model | Total Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Basic | Individual Zuteilung | 100 GB |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | Individual Zuteilung | 1 TB |
| Microsoft 365 Family | Gemeinsam pro Abo | 2 TB |
| Microsoft 365 Premium | Gemeinsam pro Abo | 2 TB |
| Microsoft 365 Pro | Gemeinsam pro Abo | 5 TB |
Uncertainty surrounds potential promotional additions for long-term users. Support documentation hints vaguely that existing customers in supported markets might receive temporary bonus storage upon renewal if they meet specific eligibility requirements. Microsoft has not released concrete details regarding the volume of bonus space or the exact regional markets included in the promotion.