Last month Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage users got a nasty surprise when the company announced changes coming to its storage allowances. Microsoft told us that the changes were implemented in "pursuit of productivity and collaboration" and because some had been 'abusing' the unlimited cloud storage on offer in some OneDrive bundles. In short, the unlimited storage tier was marked for removal and the free storage tier was to be slashed from 15GB to 5GB. Furthermore those who had taken advantage of the 'camera roll bonus' by auto-uploading photos from a mobile device were to have that 15GB allotment removed.
Following the surprise Microsoft decision a petition was started to get Microsoft to implement one of its increasingly common U-turns, with respect to the free cloud storage on offer with OneDrive. Users asked Microsoft to "give us our storage back". Now it looks like that, and perhaps other influences, has prompted Microsoft to reverse its significant free allowances cuts.
In a statement received by The Verge a Microsoft Spokesperson said "We've heard clearly from our Windows and OneDrive fans about the frustration and disappointment we have caused." The statement went on to include an apology, "We realize the announcement came across as blaming customers for using our product. For this, we are truly sorry and would like to apologize to the community." Now it looks like Microsoft is aiming to 'spread harmony' for the festive season, see the video below.
The decisions regarding unlimited OneDrive storage allowances aren't going to be changed. Subscribers with unlimited storage, like some Office 365 subscribers, will instead get 1TB when the changes are implemented in 2016. However Microsoft will let users opt in to keep their existing 15GB of free storage and the 15GB camera roll bonus (that's 30GB in total of free storage). If you don't opt in you will miss out and end up with just 5GB of free storage. However the 'price' of opting in is - to opt into Microsoft product promo emails.
You can see Microsoft's public response to the OneDrive free storage policy change below, in a Tweet.
We've heard the feedback from our fans. You'll be able to keep your free storage when the changes happen in 2016. https://t.co/WLxKcCRrQe
— OneDrive (@onedrive) December 11, 2015
