Can I add additional storage to Microsoft 365 Business Standard?

Yes, you can add additional storage to Microsoft 365 Business Standard by purchasing extra SharePoint or OneDrive storage. This allows organizations to expand beyond the default storage allocations to accommodate growing data requirements.

Default Storage Limits in Microsoft 365 Business Standard

1. OneDrive for Business

• Each user gets 1 TB of personal cloud storage by default.
• For organizations with at least five licensed users, storage can be increased up to 5 TB per user at no additional cost upon request.
• Beyond 5 TB, additional storage can be purchased if required.

2. SharePoint Online

• Organizations receive a base of 1 TB of storage for SharePoint, plus 10 GB per licensed user.
• Additional storage can be purchased on a per-GB basis through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

How to Add Additional Storage

1. Purchase Extra SharePoint Storage

• Steps:
  1. Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
  2. Navigate to Billing > Purchase services.
  3. Search for SharePoint Online additional storage.
  4. Select the required amount of additional storage (purchased in 1 GB increments).
  5. Complete the purchase and allocate storage as needed.
• Best for: Expanding SharePoint site collections and shared resources.

2. Increase OneDrive Storage

• Free increase up to 5 TB:
  1. Ensure your organization has at least five licensed Microsoft 365 Business Standard users.
  2. Submit a support request through the Admin Center to increase storage from 1 TB to 5 TB.
• Purchase additional storage beyond 5 TB:
  • Contact Microsoft support to explore options for purchasing additional OneDrive storage for specific users.

Cost of Additional Storage

• SharePoint Online additional storage:
  • Costs vary by region but typically range from $0.20 to $0.25 per GB per month.
• OneDrive for Business additional storage:
  • Pricing depends on organizational needs and volume.

Best Practices for Managing Storage

1. Monitor storage usage:
   • Use the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to track SharePoint and OneDrive usage.
2. Encourage file optimization:
   • Reduce redundant or unnecessary files to optimize existing storage.
3. Educate users:
   • Promote the use of shared resources (e.g., SharePoint libraries) instead of individual storage for large projects.
4. Apply retention policies:
   • Configure data retention policies to manage and archive old files effectively.

Need help managing storage in Microsoft 365 Business Standard?
Medha Cloud provides expert guidance for optimizing and expanding storage in Microsoft 365.