As of January 27th, Microsoft is rolling out significant changes to the management of unlicensed OneDrive accounts. These changes, aimed at enhancing security and compliance, also introduce new cost considerations for organizations. Understanding these changes and their implications is crucial for effective cost management and maintaining transparency within your Microsoft estate.
The New OneDrive Policy Landscape
Starting today, any OneDrive account that remains unlicensed for more than 90 days will be automatically archived, incurring a monthly storage fee of $0.05 per GB. Reactivating an archived account will cost $0.60 per GB. If storage fees are not paid, the account will be deleted within 93 days. Organizations now have three options for managing unlicensed accounts: reactivate, delete, or pay to archive them.
Why This Change Matters
Microsoft’s rationale for these changes centers on safety and security. Unlicensed accounts can pose significant risks, including security vulnerabilities and compliance issues. They can also lead to confusion and duplication of files. By enforcing these new policies, Microsoft aims to incentivize organizations to stay vigilant about account management.
Strategic Steps for Organizations
- Audit Your Accounts: Regularly review your OneDrive accounts to identify any that are unlicensed. Use tools like the SharePoint admin center to generate reports and stay on top of account statuses.
- Plan for Reactivation or Deletion: Decide whether to reactivate, delete, or archive unlicensed accounts based on your organization’s needs. Consider the cost implications of each option and plan accordingly.
- Leverage Surveil for Cost Management: Utilize Surveil’s analytics to gain insights into your storage costs and optimize your account management strategy. Surveil can help you identify cost-saving opportunities and ensure compliance with Microsoft’s new policies.
Microsoft’s new OneDrive policies highlight the need for proactive account management and cost transparency. For organizations, these changes underscore the importance of having clear visibility into their Microsoft estate. Surveil’s platform offers a comprehensive solution for monitoring and managing your Microsoft environment. With Surveil, you can easily track unlicensed accounts, analyze storage costs, and make informed decisions about account management. By leveraging Surveil, organizations can navigate these changes effectively, ensuring security and compliance while optimizing costs. Stay ahead of the curve with Surveil and make informed decisions about your Microsoft estate.