On the 28/01/25 Microsoft will be removing access to the OneDrive for any unlicensed accounts.
“Any OneDrive user account that has been unlicensed for longer than 93 days becomes inaccessible to admins and end users”
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/unlicensed-onedrive-accounts
How will this affect organisations that still have active, but unlicensed accounts?
Previously, if the M365 account has not been deleted and has only had the license removed, the data has remained intact and would be available again once an active Microsoft license gets re-applied to the account without any time limitations.
Now Microsoft are changing the rules, after 93 days, inactive accounts will start to disappear from the list of active users and the only way to retrieve the data will be via admin tools.
Previously my strategy to retain user data has been to remove the Office license, but to keep the account active. This no longer falls in-line with the proposed changes for those organisations wanting to retain information longer term without having to purchase additional licenses.
To ensure user data can be retained in your business longer term, I would highly recommend the user data be migrated to SharePoint in advance of the 27/01/25
If you are the one left managing your M365 portal and you don’t know the full impact of the changes, get in contact if you have concerns.
MSP’s should be able to complete these changes within minutes, dont leave it to chance.
Mark @ITLifeline.