Microsoft is axing unlimited storage plans with OneDrive, and cutting the amount of data people can store for free by two-thirds.
The move has been met with howls of protest on the internet, and allegations the technology giant has been playing 'bait and switch' with users.
In a blog post, Microsoft said a small number of users had been backing up numerous PCs and storing entire movie collections in OneDrive.
Some people were storing 75TB of data, or 14,000 times the average user.
"Instead of focusing on extreme backup scenarios, we want to remain focused on delivering high-value productivity and collaboration experiences that benefit the majority of OneDrive users," the blog post said.
OneDrive announced the following changes:
- Unlimited storage will no longer be offered to Office 365 Home, Personal, or University subscribers. Starting now, those subscriptions will include 1 TB of OneDrive storage.
- 100GB and 200GB paid plan options will not be available to new users. They will be replaced with a 50GB plan for $1.99 a month in early 2016.
- Free OneDrive storage will decrease from 15GB to 5GB for all users, current and new. The 15GB camera roll storage bonus will also be discontinued. These changes will start rolling out in early 2016.
Not surprisingly, OneDrive users are far from happy
Worth noting that the @Onedrive blog post was not signed. Nobody wanted to put their name on that toxic sludge,
— Ed Bott (@edbott) November 3, 2015
I've used the phrase "Microsoft, punching itself in the face" many times. OneDrive is a new example.
— Paul Thurrott (@thurrott) November 3, 2015
I feel sorry for the MS PR people today who now have to deal with the breach of trust the OneDrive fiasco is.
— Stephen Toulouse (@Stepto) November 4, 2015
Microsoft said it would give users time to remove their files from OneDrive.
Office 365 subscribers with more than 1TB of files would be notified of the change and would be able to keep their increased storage for "at least 12 months".
Those who found Office 365 no longer met their needs would be given a pro-rated refund.
Those using more than 5GB of free storage would have access to all files for "at least 12 months" after the changes took effect early next year.
In addition, they could redeem a free one year Office 365 personal subscription, which included 1TB of storage.
