Managing OneDrive Storage
With your Conestoga College account, you get access to Microsoft 365 applications and storage, this includes Microsoft OneDrive, a convenient online storage environment which makes it easy for you to access, share, and collaborate on your files across the internet, anywhere, anytime.
OneDrive "Spring Cleaning" this April and May 2025
The college aims for all employees to reduce their OneDrive file size to below 25GB within the next few months. This may impact your existing resources, but IT is available for support though this transition. Several drop-in sessions have been scheduled to provide guidance and answer questions on the topic of OneDrive cloud storage:
| Date | Time | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 1 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
| Tuesday, May 6 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
| Thursday, May 8 | 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
| Tuesday, May 13 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
| Thursday, May 15 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
| Tuesday, May 20 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
| Friday, May 23 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
| Tuesday, May 27 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
| Thursday, May 29 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Teams Meeting |
Like most modern technology systems, OneDrive will require occasional maintenance and care, so that you have the best experience possible. We’ve provided some guidelines for you below along with a “handy chart” outlining what you can do regularly to help maintain your OneDrive. These resources will help you manage your storage effectively and ensure optimal usage within your allocated capacity.
Guidelines for Maintaining and Managing OneDrive Storage
Regularly Review and Delete Unnecessary Files: Periodically, go through your files and delete any that are no longer needed. This includes old documents, duplicate files, and large files that are no longer in use.
Organize Files into Folders: Create a structured folder system to keep your files organized. This makes it easier to find and manage your files when needed.
Use OneDrive's Storage Management Tools: Utilize OneDrive's built-in tools to check your storage usage and identify large files that are taking up space.
Empty the Recycle Bin: Regularly empty the OneDrive recycle bin to permanently delete files and free up storage space, it’s like the recycle bin on your computer.
Compress Files: Compress large files before uploading them to OneDrive to save space.
Use Selective Sync: Choose which folders to sync to your device to save local storage space on your computer.
Regular Review Activities
| Activity | Frequency | Steps | Expected Impact/Outcome |
| Review and delete unnecessary files | Monthly |
| Frees up storage space and keeps your OneDrive organized. |
| Organize files into folders | Quarterly |
| Makes it easier to find and manage files. |
| Check storage usage | Monthly |
| Helps identify large files that can be deleted or compressed. |
| Empty the recycle bin | Monthly |
| Permanently deletes files and frees up storage space. |
| Compress large files | As needed |
| Saves storage space by reducing file size. |
| Use selective sync | As needed |
| Saves local storage space by syncing only necessary folders. |
Some useful links to Microsoft OneDrive Information
OneDrive help & learning (Note: 1 TB storage is available to full M365 Business, Family, or Personal subscriptions only)
OneDrive video tutorials - Microsoft Support
Microsoft 365 Education – Pooled Storage Limits | Microsoft Learn
Compare All Microsoft 365 Plans (Formerly Office 365) - Microsoft Store (Looking for a paid subscription to augment your educational license and get access to 1 TB of OneDrive storage)