Manage Your Box Storage
Managing the amount of data you have in your Box account will prevent unexpected problems.
This article applies to: Box
Check Your Current Storage
Departmental Box Accounts
Box departmental folders have a default storage capacity of 50GB. (You can request more if your department needs additional space.)
Use these instructions to check your departmental folder’s current capacity.
Individual Box Accounts
Starting February 19, 2024, most Box accounts have a quota of 25 GB of storage. (Larger accounts have a quota set above their current storage amount on that date.) If your account reaches its storage limit, Box won’t allow you to upload or create files until space is cleared or you request more space.
Remember that you have enough storage to cover your current use, and you can ask for more if you need it. We encourage mindful use of Cornell’s cloud storage options for Cornell-related activities.
Reminder: If you need options for backing up your Cornell device, see the information at Certified Desktop. Cloud storage at Cornell is not intended to store device backup files.
Reminder: If you need options for backing up your Cornell device, see the information at Certified Desktop. Cloud storage at Cornell is not intended to store device backup files.
To check your storage amount:
- Log in to Box with your Cornell credentials.
- In the upper right, click your profile icon.
- Select Account Settings.
- Scroll down to Account Details.
The amount of space your content is using is shown under Storage Used.
To learn how to do this for a Box departmental folder, see Check Box Departmental Folder Storage and Quota.
How to Remove Unused Content
If you would like to free up some space, you can remove files from your Box account.
Start with the oldest.
If a folder hasn’t had an update in years, it might be a good candidate for cleanup.
- When in All Files in Box, click the UPDATED header until the oldest content is on top. Only files that belong to you count against your quota.
Don’t delete content belonging to other people unless you consult with them.
- To see who owns a file or folder:
- Hover over the file or folder row and click the checkbox on the right.
- Click the Details tab that appears on the right of your file list. Look for the Owner field. (If Details doesn’t show up, make sure you only have one line selected.)
Remember, only files that belong to you count against your quota.
- Hover over the file or folder row and click the checkbox on the right.
- You can also sort by SIZE to view the largest files and folders.
- To delete files and make space available, move them to the trash. Items in trash do not count toward your storage limit, and will automatically be removed permanently after 30 days.
- If you want to keep a copy of your files, but you don’t need frequent access to them, see what options you have to Move Your Data Stored in Box.
Files in the trash are automatically deleted after 30 days. Until then, you can restore your files. After the 30-day window, you may lose those files permanently.
Files shared with you do not count against your storage limits.
How to Get More Storage Space
Remember, no matter how much you have stored in Box, the quota added on February 19, 2024 will be higher than your current use, with some additional space. Also starting on February 19, you will be able to formally request an increase.
If you would still like to talk to someone about the change, please submit a request and someone will be in touch with you soon.
Also explore the options at File Storage at Cornell. If you work with sensitive or high risk data, refer to the information about Regulated Data.
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