I want to delete files from cloud storage. It won't let me

t torrence 0 Reputation points
2026-06-09T18:36:37.6566667+00:00

It won't let me delete files just says buy more storage. It says i have too much in storage, so cant access email.

how can i see files and delete

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneDrive | For business | Other
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  1. Vivian-HT 17,610 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-10T03:00:10.19+00:00

    Dear @t torrence

    Based on your description, the issue is occurring because your Microsoft storage (OneDrive and Outlook combined) has reached its limit.

    Here are some troubleshooting steps I recommend you try:

    Step 1: Please sign in directly to OneDrive via a web browser and review your stored files.

    Step 2: Once signed in, locate the “Manage storage” or storage usage section to identify large files that are taking up space.

    If you are using business account, select the Storage used link in the lower left corner of the screen > View the largest files in your OneDrive > Delete files you don't need, or select the Empty your recycle bin link. For example:

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    For more information, please refer to this article: My OneDrive says it's full. Depending on the account type, you can choose whether you are using personal or business account.

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    Moreover, you can delete specific files or photos on Microsoft OneDrive, or you can delete entire folders and all the items in them. For reference, please follow this article: Delete files or folders in OneDrive

    Step 3: Reduce Outlook storage

    Go to Outlook web > Settings > Account > Storage > Under Email storage, review which folders use the most space > Delete large emails (especially those with attachments) from Inbox, Sent Items, and other folders > Empty Junk Email and Deleted Items folders so they no longer count toward the quota.

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    If the issue still persists, to better understand the situation, could you please help confirm a few details:

    • Are you using a personal Microsoft account (such as Outlook.com, Hotmail) or a work/school account?​‌
    • Are you able to access OneDrive directly using a browser? If yes, do you see your files there?​‌
    • Are you able to access the Recycle Bin in OneDrive, and if yes, is it already full or not empty?
    • Have you recently deleted files already, or is this your first attempt to free up storage?

    Note: Please understand that as a forum moderator, my role is to provide general guidance and troubleshooting support. I don’t have access to internal systems or backend tools, and I appreciate your understanding of these limits.

    I hope the information shared is helpful. Please try the steps above and let me know if they work. If not, we can continue working together to narrow this down.

    The first response may not always resolve the issue right away, but with your help and more details, we can work toward a solution.

    Thank you for your patience and understanding. I'm looking forward for your reply.


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