There are many cloud-based storage solutions, but some of them are quite stingy with the storage they offer for free. Microsoft’s OneDrive is one of the solutions that offer more free storage. Currently, they offer 15 GB just for signing up, and users can get an additional 15 GB if they let their pictures from their camera roll to sync with this service and there are some more storage bonuses. Since this is offered by Microsoft, it plays well with some other software made by the company such as Office, so documents can be edited anywhere by a selected group of people. In fact, when users subscribe to the Office 365 suite, they get some more storage on OneDrive.
In the beginning of November, the company announced that the free storage would be reduced from 15 GB to 5 GB and the camera roll bonus would also be removed. Plus, the unlimited storage for Office 365 subscribers would also be reduced to 1 TB. These changes would take effect in early 2016. Evidently, users weren’t happy with the reduced amount of storage, over 72,000 complaints were received through the OneDrive UserVoice site, which is dedicated to receive feedback from their customers.
Today, the company has communicated quite a few things regarding this situation. First of all, they apologize for sounding like their users were to blame for these changes. Then, they stated that the current scheme with reduced storage and no unlimited option will continue to go through next year. However, they stated that Office 365 Home, Personal and University subscriptions will include 1 TB of storage and for those who got extra storage as part of the unlimited offer would be able to keep it for at least a year. Those who are still unhappy by not having an unlimited storage option will get a refund. For those who use the free storage option and have more than 5 GB, the company is offering a whole year of Office 365 Personal subscription and the 1 TB of storage that comes with it, eligible customers will get an email in early 2016 so they can redeem this benefit. Finally, the company is offering users to keep their 15 GB of free storage plus the 15 GB of the camera roll bonus, but they need to register at http://aka.ms/onedrivestorage from today and they have until January 31st to do so.