Expanding your storage in Outlook involves cleaning up old messages and attachments or upgrading your subscription plan. If you are wondering how to get more storage on Outlook, you have come to the right place. This guide walks you through every method, from quick cleanups to paid upgrades, so you can keep your inbox running smoothly.
Outlook storage limits can fill up fast, especially with large attachments and years of archived emails. But don’t worry—there are several practical ways to free up space or increase your limit. Let’s break down each option step by step.
How To Get More Storage On Outlook
Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand your current storage situation. Outlook.com (free) offers 15 GB of mailbox storage, while Microsoft 365 subscribers get 50 GB or more. Check your usage first by going to Settings > View all Outlook settings > General > Storage. This shows how much space you have left.
If you are near the limit, the following methods will help you reclaim space or expand your capacity. Each method is simple and can be done in a few minutes.
Clean Up Your Inbox Manually
Start by deleting old or unnecessary emails. Sort your inbox by date or size to find the biggest space hogs. Look for newsletters, promotional emails, and old conversations you no longer need.
- Select multiple emails by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and clicking.
- Press Delete to move them to the Deleted Items folder.
- Empty the Deleted Items folder by right-clicking it and selecting “Empty folder.”
Remember, deleted emails still count toward storage until you empty the folder. This is a common oversight. Also check the Junk Email folder and empty that too.
Remove Large Attachments
Attachments are the biggest storage drain. Outlook lets you find and delete attachments without removing the email itself. Here is how:
- Go to your inbox and click the search bar at the top.
- Type “hasattachment:yes” and press Enter.
- Sort results by size (click the “Size” column header).
- Open each email with large attachments, download any you need, then delete the attachment from the email.
You can also use the “Clean up” tool in Outlook desktop app. Go to Folder > Clean Up > Clean Up Folder to remove redundant messages in conversations. This saves space without losing important content.
Use Outlook’s Built-In Storage Tools
Outlook offers a “Mailbox Cleanup” feature that makes finding space hogs easier. In the desktop app, go to File > Tools > Mailbox Cleanup. This shows the size of each folder and lets you find items older than a certain date or larger than a specific size.
For Outlook.com, use the “Storage” page under Settings. It shows a breakdown of what is using space—mail, attachments, or calendar items. From there, you can delete items directly.
Archive Old Emails
Archiving moves emails out of your main mailbox into a separate file (PST or OST) that does not count toward your online storage. This is great for keeping old emails accessible without cluttering your inbox.
In Outlook desktop, go to File > Info > Tools > Archive. Choose a folder to archive and a date cutoff. Emails older than that date are moved to an archive file. You can still search them later.
For Outlook.com, archiving is different—it just hides emails from the inbox but keeps them in your account. To truly free space, you need to delete or move emails to a local folder using the desktop app.
Upgrade Your Subscription Plan
If cleaning is not enough, upgrading is the simplest way to get more storage. Microsoft 365 Basic gives you 100 GB of mailbox storage, while Microsoft 365 Personal offers 50 GB plus 1 TB of OneDrive storage. Business plans go even higher.
To upgrade, go to your Microsoft account page, select “Services & subscriptions,” and choose a plan that fits your needs. The upgrade takes effect immediately, and your storage limit increases right away.
Compare plans carefully. Free Outlook.com gives 15 GB, Microsoft 365 Basic gives 100 GB for $1.99/month, and Microsoft 365 Personal gives 50 GB mailbox plus 1 TB cloud storage for $6.99/month. The extra OneDrive space can also help if you store attachments there.
Use OneDrive For Attachments
Instead of attaching files directly to emails, upload them to OneDrive and share a link. This keeps attachments out of your mailbox storage. When you attach a file in Outlook, you can choose “Upload to OneDrive” instead of “Attach as copy.”
This method saves significant space, especially for large files like presentations or videos. Recipients can still download the file, but it does not sit in your mailbox.
Set OneDrive as the default attachment method in Outlook settings. Go to File > Options > Mail, and under “Attachments,” select “Upload to OneDrive.” This applies to all new emails.
Delete Calendar And Contact Items
Calendar events and contacts also take up storage, though less than emails. If you have old recurring events or duplicate contacts, delete them. Use the “Clean Up Calendar” tool in Outlook to remove past events.
For contacts, export them as a CSV file first for backup, then delete duplicates or outdated entries. This is a minor space saver but can help if you are close to the limit.
Use Auto-Archive Settings
Set up auto-archive to run regularly. In Outlook desktop, go to File > Options > Advanced > Auto-Archive Settings. Choose how often to run it (e.g., every 14 days) and what to do with old items—delete or move to archive.
This automates the cleaning process so you do not have to remember. Set it to archive items older than 6 months to keep your mailbox lean.
Clear Cached Data In Outlook App
The Outlook mobile app and desktop app store cached copies of emails for offline access. This can take up local storage on your device, not your online mailbox. Clear the cache in Settings > Account > Clear Cache to free up device space.
This does not affect your online storage, but it helps if your device is running low on space. The app will re-download data as needed.
Use Outlook Web App For Quick Cleanups
The web version of Outlook (outlook.com) loads faster and has simpler cleanup tools. Use the “Sweep” feature to automatically delete or move emails from specific senders. Go to your inbox, select an email, and click “Sweep” to set rules.
You can also use “Rules” to automatically delete or archive emails as they arrive. For example, move all newsletters to a folder that you empty weekly.
Consider Third-Party Tools
If manual cleaning feels tedious, third-party tools like Clean Email or Mailstrom can help. These apps scan your mailbox and let you delete or archive bulk emails quickly. They often have free trials, but be cautious about granting access to your account.
Stick with well-known tools and revoke access after use. Microsoft does not endorse these tools, so use them at your own risk.
Monitor Storage Regularly
Set a reminder to check your storage every month. Go to Settings > General > Storage to see your usage. If you are consistently near the limit, consider upgrading or setting up auto-archive.
Regular monitoring prevents sudden “mailbox full” errors that can stop you from sending or receiving emails. It also helps you spot unusual spikes, like a large attachment you forgot about.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Do not rely solely on deleting emails without emptying the Deleted Items folder. Also, avoid using “Archive” in Outlook.com thinking it frees space—it only hides emails. Use the desktop app’s archive feature instead.
Another mistake is ignoring the Junk Email folder. It can accumulate thousands of spam messages over time. Empty it regularly.
Finally, do not upgrade to a plan with more storage than you need. Check your usage first—you might only need 50 GB, not 100 GB.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Check My Current Outlook Storage?
Go to Outlook.com, click Settings (gear icon) > View all Outlook settings > General > Storage. You will see a bar showing used and available space. In the desktop app, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Double-click your account > Click “More Settings” > “Advanced” tab > “Mailbox Size.”
Can I Get More Storage Without Paying?
Yes, by cleaning up old emails, deleting large attachments, and emptying the Deleted Items and Junk folders. Archiving to a local file also frees online space. These methods are free and effective for most users.
What Is The Maximum Storage For Outlook?
Free Outlook.com gives 15 GB. Microsoft 365 Basic gives 100 GB. Microsoft 365 Personal and Family give 50 GB mailbox plus 1 TB OneDrive. Business plans offer up to 100 GB per user, and some enterprise plans have unlimited storage.
Does Archiving Emails Free Up Space?
In the desktop app, yes—archiving moves emails to a local file that does not count toward online storage. In Outlook.com, archiving just hides emails from the inbox but keeps them in your account, so it does not free space.
How Do I Delete Attachments Without Deleting The Email?
Open the email, right-click the attachment, and select “Remove” or “Delete.” In Outlook.com, open the email, click the attachment, and select “Remove.” The email stays, but the attachment is gone.
Final Tips For Managing Outlook Storage
Start with the free methods—cleanup and archiving—before considering a paid upgrade. Most users can free up several gigabytes by deleting old newsletters and large attachments. Set a monthly reminder to maintain your inbox.
If you frequently send large files, use OneDrive links instead of attachments. This keeps your mailbox light and makes sharing easier. Also, consider using Outlook’s “Clutter” or “Focused Inbox” features to automatically sort low-priority emails, making cleanup faster.
Remember, storage management is an ongoing process. A little effort each month prevents major headaches later. Whether you choose to clean or upgrade, you now have all the tools to get more storage on Outlook.