How to Check OneDrive Storage on Any Device

Microsoft OneDrive, like Google Drive, is a cloud storage service that allows you to store, sync, and access your files from anywhere. The platform offers a free storage tier; for additional storage, you must buy its subscription. If you are yet to upgrade or are on a free tier, keeping an eye on the available storage helps. In this article, you’ll learn how to check your OneDrive storage and manage it efficiently.

How to Check OneDrive Storage

However, before sorting OneDrive’s storage space, you need to know what counts as storage. All types of files, documents, photos, and videos you upload to your account count toward your storage limit. Furthermore, items in your OneDrive recycle bin or deleted items folder also count towards your storage usage until they are permanently deleted. With that said, let’s begin with the article.

How to Check OneDrive Space From Windows 11 or 10

Before moving on to the steps, note that this method only works if you have OneDrive installed and running on your Windows PC. The below steps are of no use if you have disabled or uninstalled OneDrive from your Windows machine.

Step 1: Click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray.

Click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray

Step 2: In the OneDrive sheet, click on the Settings (gear) icon in the upper right corner.

click on the Settings (gear) icon in the upper right corner

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Settings.

select Settings

This will open up a OneDrive Settings window.

Under ‘Sync and backup,’ in the bottom left corner, you will find Storage. This shows the amount of storage used and available.

you will find Storage, which shows the amount of storage

However, if OneDrive is not installed on your computer, move to the next method.

How to Check OneDrive Space From the Web

Checking storage space on OneDrive using the web is one of the most common portals. There are multiple ways to check the storage space and each has its purpose.

a. Quick Usage Summary

Note: This will only display the basic information. If you want to know more about the storage, files, current plan, and so on, jump to the next method.

Step 1: Go to OneDrive and sign in with your credentials.

Go to OneDrive and sign in with your credentials

Step 2: In the bottom left corner, you will see the used and available storage space.

you will be shown the used and available space on your OneDrive

b. Full Usage Summary

Full usage summary lets you know about your current storage plan as well as empty the recycle bin among other things. Follow the below steps to learn more.

Step 1: Go to OneDrive and sign in with your credentials.

Go to OneDrive and sign in with your credentials

Step 2: Click on the Settings (gear) icon in the top right corner.

Click on the Settings (gear) icon in the top right corner

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Options.

select Options

This will open a list of OneDrive settings that you can tweak as per your requirements. In the right pane, you will see the Storage Summary. 

Step 4: [Optional] Under Storage Summary, click on ‘Empty recycle bin.’

click on ‘Empty recycle bin.’

Step 5: In the pop-up, click Delete.

click Delete

This will flush out the files that you have deleted and were residing in OneDrive’s recycle bin, leaving behind free storage space for you to store some important data. 

If you want a birds-eye view of the files that are taking up most of your storage, check out the next method.

c. View Files Taking Most Space

Step 1: Go to OneDrive and sign in with your credentials.

Go to OneDrive and sign in with your credentials

Step 2: Click on the Settings (gear) icon in the top right corner.

Click on the Settings (gear) icon in the top right corner

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Options.

select Options

Step 4: From the list of OneDrive settings, select Manage storage on the left.

Step 5: Under Storage Summary on the right, click on the hyperlinked ‘What’s taking up space?’ text.

click on the hyperlinked ‘What’s taking up space?’

This will open all the files in your OneDrive and sort them out based on storage consumption. You may move the files taking up the most space or delete them if not needed. 

move the files taking up the most space or delete them if not needed

How to View OneDrive Storage From the Mobile App

It is fairly simple to check the storage space using the OneDrive mobile app. Mind you, the steps are the same for both Android and iOS. With that out of the way, let’s begin with the steps.

Note: Download the OneDrive app from the App Store or Play Store. For the demonstration, we are going with Android.  

Step 1: Open the OneDrive app on your device.

Step 2: Tap on the Me tab at the bottom.

That’s it! You can now view your OneDrive storage. Tap on Manage storage to clear OneDrive space.

If the free space is not fulfilling your needs, move on to the next method.

How to Get More Free Storage on OneDrive

If you have taken down all the unnecessary files stored on your OneDrive that were taking up storage space and are still on the brink of maxing out your OneDrive, invite new users to OneDrive and get rewarded. Here’s how.

When you invite a user to OneDrive, Microsoft rewards you and the user who joins using your invite link with 0.5GB of extra OneDrive storage. So, the more users you bring, the more extra storage you get. However, 10GB is the reward cap. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Go to OneDrive and sign in with your credentials.

Go to OneDrive and sign in with your credentials

Step 2: In the bottom left corner, you will be shown the used and available space on your OneDrive. Click on it.

you will be shown the used and available space on your OneDrive

You will be taken to the OneDrive Options page. 

Step 3: In the Manage storage, under ‘You additional storage,’ click on Earn more next to ‘Referral Bonus (0% achieved)’.

click on Earn more

Step 4: In the Invite Friends pop-up, copy the link and share it with your friends and family to avail yourself of the 0.5 GB of extra OneDrive storage reward.

copy the link and share it with your friends and family

If you don’t want to go through OneDrive’s reward system, another workaround is to create multiple Microsoft accounts to accommodate your files. However, it is not a viable option. So, you will only be left with upgrading your current plan, which you can do by going to OneDrive Options > choosing ‘Plans and upgrades.’

FAQs on Checking OneDrive Storage Space

1. What is the maximum amount of data you can store in OneDrive?

The data you can store in OneDrive depends on your subscription plan. If you are on the basic plan, OneDrive offers 5GB of free storage space, while paid plans offer larger storage capacities ranging from 100GB to 6TB.

2. How long is my data stored in OneDrive after deleting the account?

OneDrive stores data for a duration that depends on the type of account and the user’s activity level. Personal accounts retain OneDrive files for at least one year after deleting the account, while business and enterprise accounts usually have a longer retention period. It is advisable to back up and archive crucial files regularly to avoid data loss.

3. Can you access OneDrive files offline?

Yes, you can access OneDrive files offline by syncing them to your device. Once you synced and downloaded it offline, you can access and edit the files even without an internet connection. When you are back online, any changes made to the files will be automatically synced with OneDrive.

Know Your Storage Space

With the methods mentioned in this article, you can quickly and effectively check your OneDrive storage from your PC or mobile device. This gives you more flexibility and convenience to check your available storage and ensure you don’t run out of space. You may also want to read how to move files between Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.

Last updated on 27 February, 2023

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