Microsoft last year said it would reduce the free cloud storage limit OneDrive for general users from 15GB to 5GB. It also got rid of the 15GB additional camera roll storage as well. However, after a massive backlash from its users, the company decided to continue the 15GB camera roll bonus offer. At that time the company did not give an exact date as to when it would reduce the 15GB of free storage to 5GB.
Now, the company has sent out an email stating that the change will take place by July 27 this year. So, it will be better for users to shift their important data elsewhere before the given date. It is also worth mentioning that for new accounts, Microsoft has already started applying the 5GB free storage limit.
With the given date, Microsoft says it will also be removing the 15GB camera roll activation storage on OneDrive too. This means that if you want more that 5GB of OneDrive space, you would have to pay for it.
"We want to let you know about some upcoming changes to OneDrive. On 27/07/2016, the amount of storage that comes with OneDrive will change from 15GB to 5GB. We are also discontinuing the 15GB camera roll bonus," said the email.
The company also added that, "we realise these are big changes to a service you rely on. We want to apologise for any inconvenience that they may cause you. We've made a difficult decision, but it's one that will let us sustainably operate OneDrive into the future."
This move by Microsoft might force some heavy users to pay for cloud storage, and likely, it may drive them towards rivals such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, and others.
Users for now can try one month of Office 365 for which they get 1TB OneDrive free for a month for up to 5 users. Office 365 Personal with 1TB OneDrive costs Rs. 3,299 per year or Rs. 330 per month, while the Office 365 Home + 1TB OneDrive for up to 5 users is priced at Rs. 4,199 per year or Rs. 420 per month. Users can also upgrade their 5GB of free storage to 50GB by paying Rs. 123 per month.
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