Microsoft caps free OneDrive storage after finding one user exceeding 75 terabytes

Software giant Microsoft has decided to make changes to its free cloud storage service. The company has called off this offer after realizing that a number of users are consuming too much storage, some using over 75 terabytes to back up their private files.

The implication of this new announcement is that thousands of users who had subscribed to personal, university or office 365 Home will only be able to use up to one terabyte of One Drive storage space. Starting next year, new subscribers will be allowed 50 gigabytes of storage at the cost of $1.99 per month.

When Microsoft rang up these changes, it stated that come next year, the free One Drive storage space provision will be slashed from 15 GB to 5 GB. The camera roll storage bonus offered previously will also be scrapped.

In a bid to explain these changes, Microsoft has stated that some of its users have backed up entire collections of private material on the cloud, with some going over the average by 14,000 times. The company points out that its intention is to keep providing reliable services at optimal speeds, something it cannot achieve when its storage capabilities are choked. The objective is to ensure that a vast majority of One Drive users benefit from the service rather than a small group of customers.

Those using office 365 and have scored more than 1 TB of content on One Drive will now be offered a grace period to move along the excess data, something they will have to effect within 12 months of the notice. Those using One Drive’s free storage service are required to keep only 5 TB of data upon notification.

Microsoft argues that One Drive should not be solely focused upon file storage and backup-it is an intelligence service intended to offer diverse functionality. The company reiterates its commitment towards making the service all-inclusive.