Outlook saying I need more storage.

Anonymous
2023-02-17T14:48:45+00:00

Hi there,

I've used a live.com account for years, and have always logged in through my browser to view emails. Today, the page loaded with a thin red notification at the top stating "From February 1, you'll need more storage to send or receive email."

Obviously, for a start, it's 16 days past February 1 which is weird, and my email is all working fine at the moment.

Clicking on "Manage Storage" opens a window, which states that my total used for my Microsoft Storage (things backed up from a laptop I hardly use, didn't even realise that they were being backed up to be honest) is 7.8GB out of a 5GB limit. I tried unsyncing my desktop on said laptop, but all it's done is remove everything from that laptop, which is pretty frustrating as I just wanted to leave the data on there and just free up some space on the Microsoft storage.

Anyway, I'm not overly bothered by that by now, as I'm more worried about my emails not working. Separate to the Microsoft storage, it lists my "Email Storage", which is 7.6GB out of 15GB. Does anyone know why I'm getting notified that I'm in danger of losing my email and pushed to buy a ridiculously expensive price plan?

Thanks in advance

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Account management, security, and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-10T15:30:12+00:00

    Hi Michael

    Thanks for the reply. I had around 200 replies, and so gave up replying. I keep 'Hotmail', having screenshotted and saved pics to laptop, deleting, and so keeping below limit. However, I emailed Microsoft (CEO office) and got a reply which ignored my complaints except one, and they then archived (closed) my issue (thanks, MS). This 'small' change in storage policy could give MS (my calculation) aound, if I remember, USD 6-10bn in extra annual income. I may continue complaining, including to the regulator, if and when I feel inclined. The woman who instigated YouTube advertising/ premium is now worth USD 600M. One objection to YT, apart from the relentless ads, is that you can no longer permanently download vids to your computer, even with Premium, I believe. I understand arrtists' rights. But mending your kitchen sink, or a million other 'for love' videos? There's nothing anymore of public sefvice in these giant companies. Anyway, good luck.

    Best wishes, Jonathan.

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  2. Ron-6928 4,991 Reputation points
    2023-03-08T15:45:46+00:00

    It may take some time for the background process to clean up and recalculate user mailboxes. It can take overnight. Check back the next day. If there's no change in the storage usage, something (on the server side) is faulty.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-08T14:15:56+00:00

    I think deleting the 'sent' folder is the key. I totally cleaned out my one drive/outlook storage etc. Even though there were loads of emails that I would like to have kept. I just lost patience with it. But I found I had 12,000 items in my 'sent' folder. Removing then look me down below the stupid threshold. I really resent having to delete all my correspondence though and will probably take my account elsewhere.
    It's still saying I'm 82% full and there is literally NOTHING left to delete. I deleted all from the 'deleted' folder too. Sigh. It now says "Enjoy your empty inbox' Total money grab by Outlook.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-03-06T10:30:09+00:00

    Not sure if this helps but try the steps from this article:

    Clear Storage Issues from your Outlook Mailbox

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-03-05T14:52:14+00:00

    Thanks so much for this.

    Just had same message over the last few days which I ignored at first and then realised I had to act on.

    Obvs I had a lot of stuff I no longer need.

    Once you get the hang of deleting etc it is fine.

    Thanks so much for detailed advice.

    D

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