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The fastest way to see your OneDrive usage is the Microsoft account dashboard: sign in, open Microsoft storage, and read your used space against your quota. You can also check from the OneDrive website or from the sync app and mobile app. The number you see may be larger than the files in your OneDrive folder, and the reason is covered below.
The three ways to check at a glance
| Method | Best for | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft account dashboard | Personal accounts | Overall Microsoft storage used and quota |
| OneDrive website | Personal and work or school accounts | Usage, plan and bonus details; on work or school, a largest-files view |
| Sync app or mobile app | Quick checks from your device | Storage overview and a shortcut to Manage storage |
Method 1: Microsoft account dashboard
For a personal account, start here. Sign in to your Microsoft account dashboard and open Microsoft storage. Microsoft describes this as the place to see current usage and quota (Microsoft storage quotas; What is Microsoft cloud storage?).
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Method 2: The OneDrive website
Personal account
Open OneDrive’s website settings and choose Manage storage. Microsoft says this shows how much storage you have used and which plans or bonuses apply (How to access OneDrive settings).
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The used and available amount appears in the left navigation. Select the usage value to open a view of your largest files (Manage your OneDrive for work or school storage). If you can’t see it, your administrator may have restricted storage permissions.
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Method 3: Sync app and mobile app
Desktop sync app
- Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
- Open Help & Settings > Settings.
- Read the storage overview, then choose Manage storage for details.
The cloud icon also warns you. A yellow warning triangle means storage is nearly full. A red circle with a white minus sign means you have exceeded your allowance (Microsoft storage quotas).
Mobile app
In the OneDrive app, tap your profile picture or person icon, then Settings. For personal Microsoft storage, Microsoft also documents a refresh route in Outlook mobile: profile > Settings > your account > Storage (source). Labels vary by account type and app version.
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Why the total may not match your files
On a personal account, the quota is shared across Microsoft services, not only the files in your OneDrive folder. Microsoft says it can include:
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- Outlook.com attachments and inline images
- Teams message attachments and recordings
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- Items in the OneDrive Recycle Bin
Microsoft states it plainly: “Your recycle bin also contributes to your cloud storage usage.” (Microsoft Support; see also Changes to Microsoft 365 email features and storage.)
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Work or school quotas are described as covering OneDrive files and folders plus Recycle Bin items. Don’t assume the personal-account list applies to an organizational account (Microsoft).
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Microsoft’s quota page lists 5 GB for a free account, 100 GB for Basic, and 1 TB for several named consumer Microsoft 365 plans. These figures were checked on 2026-10-05. The page showed no publication year, so treat them as current-as-checked, not permanent. Availability and entitlement depend on your account and region (quotas; FAQ).
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If you’re nearly full
- Use Manage storage to find large files, camera-roll videos, screenshots and old archives.
- Delete only what you are comfortable losing (Delete files or folders in OneDrive).
- Empty the OneDrive Recycle Bin online. Emptying your computer’s Recycle Bin or Trash is a different action and doesn’t reclaim cloud quota.
- Check again later. Microsoft says deletions can take up to 24 hours to show in your quota, and a purchased increase can take up to 24 hours to appear. These are estimates, not guarantees.
- If you’re still over, Microsoft lists buying or upgrading storage, subject to plan and region.
What happens if you go over quota
For personal accounts, Microsoft says new uploads, edits and syncs can stop and existing OneDrive files become read-only. Outlook.com email and Teams messages with attachments can also be affected. Its quota page says an over-limit OneDrive may be frozen after three months and may be deleted after six months (Microsoft storage quotas). The FAQ adds that you must get back under quota to regain access (FAQ). This is Microsoft’s current stated policy and it can change, so confirm on the support page.
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