OneDrive Storage Limits and Multi-Factor Authentication Changes coming January 2, 2025

Nov. 15, 2024
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On January 2, 2025, there will be significant updates to OneDrive storage limits along with modifications to our Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) session validation times.

1. Changes to OneDrive Storage Limits

Microsoft has changed the storage allocated to institutions, moving from an unlimited to a limited-based model. To address this, we need to manage and reduce our overall storage usage.

New OneDrive Storage Limits: Effective January 2, 2025:
The default OneDrive size for all users (students, staff, and faculty) will be 100GB.
Users currently exceeding 100GB of storage will be notified directly (starting on November 15, 2024) and must reduce their storage or submit a request for additional storage if needed for academic or university-related activities. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

2. Updates to Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Requirements

To improve the security of your accounts, we're updating how often you'll get prompted to verify your identity using MFA.

Key Changes: Effective January 2, 2025:
Web browser sessions: You'll need to re-verify using MFA every 7 days (↓ from 90 days)
Microsoft 365 desktop and mobile apps: You'll need to re-verify using MFA every 14 days (↓ from 90 days)

The goal of these changes is to protect your accounts from unauthorized access better, even if your login credentials are compromised. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in maintaining our robust security standards and managing our digital resources responsibly.|

If your OneDrive Capacity Exceeds 100 GB:

Action Required:

  1. Review your OneDrive contents and reduce storage if possible. Please ensure the following file types are removed:

    • Copyrighted content
    • Large collections of personal photos and videos
    • Any redundant or duplicate files
  2. If you require more than 100GB for academic or university-related activities, please submit a request for additional storage by December 18, 2024.

To submit a request or for guidance on managing your storage, visit Request for Additional OneDrive Storage. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Failure to address overages by January 22, 2025, will result in your OneDrive being set to "read-only" status until the necessary actions are taken.

How do I check my current OneDrive storage usage?

  1. To view your OneDrive Storage Metrics, navigate to https://lauriercloud-my.sharepoint.com/ and sign in with your Laurier account.
  2. Along the top bar, select the settings cog.
  3. Under the settings menu, select OneDrive settings.
  4. You will be taken to a new page, on the side menu of that page select More Settings.
  5. From that page, select Storage Metrics.
  6. Under Storage Metrics, you will see the total amount of space available in your OneDrive and a breakdown of how much storage each folder is using.

How to empty OneDrive Recycle Bin?

  1. Navigate to https://lauriercloud-my.sharepoint.com/ and sign in with your Laurier account, click on the Recycle Bin in the left sidebar.
  2. Select the items you want to delete permanently and click on Delete.
  3. To delete all items, click on Empty recycle bin.
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the Recycle Bin page and click on Second-stage recycle bin.
  5. Select the items you want to delete permanently and click on Delete.
  6. To delete all items, click on Empty recycle bin.

What is "Preservation Hold Library"?

When you are reviewing your Storage Metrics you may see a folder named "Preservation Hold Library" using a significant amount of storage. This folder is used for retention purposes based on university policy, and it stores content that must be retained for compliance reasons. Users cannot delete content from this library. Therefore, you need to reduce the storage used by the rest of your OneDrive, excluding the Preservation Hold Library.