Microsoft 365 Family shared storage: how does the renewal bonus storage work?

Cristian 0 Reputation points
2026-10-15T17:40:17.0333333+00:00

Hello. I'm a Microsoft 365 Family subscriber. Today, each member has their own 1 TB of OneDrive storage. At the first renewal on or after May 2, 2027, we move to a 2 TB shared pool. With a subscription with more than two members, total storage already exceeds 2 TB today; after the move, it's capped at 2 TB, so we'd already hit the storage limit. I would still lose my 1 TB: it stops being individually mine and becomes shared, with no guaranteed portion. The FAQ (https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/accounts-billing/subscriptions/microsoft-365-subscription-sharing-faqs) says existing customers in supported markets who meet eligibility requirements may receive bonus storage at renewal at no extra cost, but it doesn't say: (1) which markets are supported, (2) how much bonus storage, (3) how long it lasts, or (4) what the eligibility requirements are. Can Microsoft clarify these four points?

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | Other | Other
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  1. EmilyS726 277.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-15T18:15:52.7366667+00:00

    Hello,

    As of today, Microsoft has not publicly shared any official details about the bonus storage.

    I recommend bookmarking the FAQ page and checking back periodically for updates.

    From my past experience with major Microsoft changes, such as Skype's retirement, Windows 10 ESU eligibility, and Teams personal leaving certain regions, I've noticed that Microsoft tends to update its FAQ pages over time as more information becomes available.

    The Family storage change is still fairly new, so I expect Microsoft will provide more details as things progress.

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  2. Mehedi Hasan Khan 0 Reputation points
    2026-10-15T17:47:07.6033333+00:00

    While Microsoft's FAQ states that existing customers might receive "bonus storage at renewal at no extra cost" to ease the transition from the old 6 TB total capacity (1 TB per person) to the new 2 TB shared pool, the specifics have been left intentionally vague. Technology news outlets covering the October 2026 announcement have confirmed that Microsoft has not disclosed:

    Which specific markets are supported.

    How much bonus storage will be provided.

    How long the bonus storage will last.

    What the exact eligibility requirements are.

    Because the outcome of this "bonus storage" cannot be guaranteed, households already exceeding 2 TB of combined OneDrive storage are advised to start planning their alternatives well before the 2027 deadline. Options include trimming files, purchasing add-on storage (which can increase the shared pool up to 10 TB), upgrading to the Pro tier (which offers a 5 TB shared pool), or moving bulk media to local hard drives.

    Microsoft 365 Family Storage Changes Explained This video breaks down the recent Microsoft 365 storage policy updates and provides practical advice on how to manage your family's data before the transition takes effect.

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