Storage plans: Common subscription and billing questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about buying a SkyDrive storage plan.

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How do I update the billing information used with my SkyDrive storage plan?

  1. Go to the Manage storage page on SkyDrive.

    You might need to sign in with your Microsoft account.

  2. Click Manage next to your storage plan to go to the Microsoft account site.

  3. To change your personal info, click profile, and then click edit profile.

    To edit your payment method, click subscriptions, click manage above your SkyDrive subscription, choose change payment option, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Note

Note

  • When your storage plan is automatically renewed, the new payment method and info will be used.

  • If you need to change your billing country, go to our customer support site for more assistance.

How do I renew my SkyDrive storage plan subscription?

You don't have to do anything. SkyDrive storage plans are automatically renewed on an annual basis.

When will my SkyDrive storage plan subscription expire?

Storage plans don't expire unless you cancel the subscription, and they'll be automatically renewed every year on the date you bought them. To see when your subscription will be renewed or expire if you canceled it, go to the Manage storage page on SkyDrive. You might need to sign in with your Microsoft account.

How do I upgrade or renew a storage plan using a different payment method?

Upgrading your storage plan using an different payment method is a two-part process. First, you need to change your payment method, and then you need to upgrade your storage plan.

  1. Go to the Manage storage page on SkyDrive.

    You might need to sign in with your Microsoft account.

  2. Click Manage next to your storage plan to go to the Microsoft account site.

  3. Click subscriptions, click manage above your SkyDrive subscription, choose change payment option, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

  4. After you’ve updated your payment method, go back to SkyDrive, click Manage storage in the lower left, and then select a new storage plan.

What happens when I upgrade my storage plan midway through a subscription?

If you upgrade your storage plan midway through your subscription, you'll be charged the difference between the cost of the new plan and the time remaining on your existing plan. Your subscription renewal date will be reset to the date that you made the storage plan upgrade.

How long will it take to upload or download a large amount of data (like 50 or 100 GB) at once?

The time it takes to upload or download a large amount of data depends on your Internet connection speed, how close you are geographically to our servers, how much your Internet service provider lets you upload in a day, the speed of your computer, and other factors. Here are some tips for maximizing the transfer speed:

  • Use a wired instead of a wireless connection.

  • Avoid running other apps on your computer when you're uploading or downloading a large amount of data.

  • Avoid using your Internet connection for other activities while you're transferring a large amount of data. It might help to upload or download at night when the connection is getting less use from other people in your area.

  • Before you begin transferring a large amount of data, make sure your computer isn't set to go to sleep.

How do I change my storage subscription to a lower plan?

If you buy a storage plan that is larger than you need, follow the steps later in this topic to cancel the subscription. Then wait until it expires and select a plan with less storage.

What do I do if my payment method is declined or invalid?

Generally, when a payment method is declined, it's because there’s a problem with your billing info, credit card, or other payment method. To verify that your billing information is accurate, or to change your payment method, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Manage storage page on SkyDrive.

    You might need to sign in with your Microsoft account.

  2. Click Manage next to your storage plan to go to the Microsoft account site.

  3. Click payment options, and then select the payment option you use for SkyDrive subscription plan.

  4. If you need to change the info, click edit.

    To use a different payment method, click subscriptions, click manage above your SkyDrive subscription, choose change payment option, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Note

Note

  • If your payment info is accurate and you still receive this error, contact your bank for more info.

Why isn’t my storage plan showing up in SkyDrive?

If your storage plan doesn’t appear in SkyDrive, go to the Manage storage page and refresh the page. You might need to sign in with your Microsoft account.

Note

Note

  • If this doesn’t fix the problem and the storage plan shown is still inaccurate, go to our customer support site for more assistance.

How do I cancel my SkyDrive storage plan subscription?

  1. Go to the Manage storage page on SkyDrive.

    You might need to sign in with your Microsoft account.

  2. Click Manage next to your storage plan to go to the Microsoft account site.

  3. Click subscriptions.

  4. Click manage above your SkyDrive subscription.

  5. Choose cancel subscription, and then click next.

  6. Click confirm cancellation to cancel your plan.

    Note

    Note

    • When you cancel your subscription, your storage plan will be available until its expiration date. After your plan expires, your storage will return to the SkyDrive free plan.

Why do I still have extra storage available if I’ve canceled my storage plan?

After you cancel a storage subscription, the storage is available to you until the plan's annual renewal date. After that date, the subscription will expire. If you exceed your remaining storage space when the subscription expires, you'll be able to view, share, and download files on your SkyDrive, but you won't be able to upload files until you buy more storage or free up space.

How do I get a refund?

In most cases SkyDrive subscriptions are non-refundable except where applicable by law. To request a refund, go to our customer support site.

I'm having a problem redeeming the code I received for more storage

Make sure you entered the code correctly. It has 25 digits. If you entered the code correctly and it still doesn't work, wait a few minutes and then try again. If you continue to have a problem redeeming the code, go to our customer support site.

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