Patrick Domingues

Learn how to configure Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense to optimize storage and improve performance. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions, FAQs, and expert tips for efficient configuration.

Introduction

In today’s digital world, efficient management of storage is crucial for businesses. Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense is a powerful tool that helps optimize storage and enhance overall performance. By configuring Storage Sense properly, you can ensure that your Microsoft 365 environment operates smoothly, eliminates unnecessary clutter, and maximizes storage utilization. In this article, we will explore how to configure Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense effectively, providing you with all the necessary information and guidance.

Table of Contents

Headings
1. What is Microsoft 365 EndPoint Manager Storage Sense?
2. Why is Configuring Storage Sense Important?
3. System Requirements for Storage Sense Configuration
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Configure Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense
5. Understanding Storage Sense Settings
6. Customizing Storage Sense Thresholds
7. Utilizing Storage Sense with OneDrive
8. Monitoring Storage Usage with Storage Sense
9. Troubleshooting Storage Sense Configuration
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
11. Conclusion

1. What is Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense?

Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense is a feature designed to help manage storage space effectively within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It automatically frees up space by deleting unnecessary files and data, ensuring optimal storage utilization and system performance. With Storage Sense, you can seamlessly maintain an organized and clutter-free environment, preventing storage-related issues and enhancing user experience.

2. Why is Configuring Storage Sense Important?

Configuring Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense is essential for several reasons. By customizing its settings, you can tailor storage management according to your specific requirements and business needs. Effective configuration ensures that Storage Sense operates efficiently, freeing up space when necessary and retaining important files and data. It allows you to optimize storage usage, improve system performance, and maintain a streamlined Microsoft 365 environment.

3. System Requirements for Storage Sense Configuration

Before configuring Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense, it’s important to ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements. These requirements include:

• Operating System: Windows 10 (version 1809 or later)
• Microsoft 365 subscription with Endpoint Manager access
• Sufficient disk space to accommodate temporary files created during the storage cleanup process

4. Step-by-Step Guide to Configure Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense

To configure Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Log into your Microsoft 365 Tennent.

Step 2: Locate and click on Endpoint Manager from the Admin Center.

Step 3: Locate and click on Devices.

Step 4: Locate and click on Configuration profiles.

Step 5: Locate and click on Create profile.

Step 6: Change Platform to Windows 10 and later. Change Profile type to Settings catalog and continue with the configuration.

Step 7: Give your Configuration Profile a Name. Afterwards click the Next button.

Step 8: Search and locate the Storage Category.

Step 9: Select all these settings and close out of the slider.

Step 10: Adjust the settings to your liking. From the Image below these settings seemed to work best for me. Afterwards click the Review + Save button.

Step 11: Click Next on Scope Tags

Step 12: Locate and click on Add all devices. Adding all devices will add this policy to all Azure AD Joined Devices. Afterwards click the Next button.

Step 13: Once you click the Create button the policy will be applied to your Endpoints.

Congratulations you are now finished with the configuration policy for Microsoft 365 Storage Sense.

5. Understanding Storage Sense Settings

Storage Sense offers various settings that you can customize to optimize storage management. Let’s explore some key settings:

• Storage Cleanup Frequency: Choose the frequency of storage cleanup, such as every day, every week, or every month.
• Delete Temporary Files: Select this option to automatically remove temporary files that are no longer needed.
• Delete Files in Recycle Bin: Enable this option to automatically empty the Recycle Bin, freeing up additional space.
• Delete Unused Files: Choose whether to delete files that haven’t been modified for a certain period of time.
• Clean Up Content in Downloads Folder: Toggle this option to automatically remove files from the Downloads folder after a specified number of days.

6. Customizing Storage Sense Thresholds

Storage Sense allows you to customize thresholds to trigger storage cleanup. By adjusting these thresholds, you can fine-tune the behavior of Storage Sense to meet your specific needs. Here are some examples of thresholds you can customize:

• Low Disk Space: Set the minimum disk space threshold that triggers Storage Sense to free up storage.
• Delete Files in the Downloads Folder After: Choose the number of days after which files in the Downloads folder should be deleted.
• Delete Files in the Recycle Bin After: Define the number of days after which files in the Recycle Bin should be permanently deleted.

7. Utilizing Storage Sense with OneDrive

If you use OneDrive for cloud storage, you can integrate it with Storage Sense to further optimize storage management. By enabling the option to “Automatically back up files to OneDrive,” you can ensure that important files are securely stored in the cloud while maintaining local storage optimization. This integration provides a seamless experience, allowing you to access files from any device while efficiently managing storage space.

8. Monitoring Storage Usage with Storage Sense

Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense provides valuable insights into storage usage within your organization. By monitoring storage usage, you can identify trends, detect anomalies, and take proactive measures to optimize storage. Storage Sense offers data on the amount of space saved through cleanup operations, the categories of files consuming the most storage, and the effectiveness of your storage management strategies.

9. Troubleshooting Storage Sense Configuration

If you encounter any issues or unexpected behavior while configuring Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense, here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow:

• Ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements mentioned earlier.
• Verify that Storage Sense is enabled and configured correctly in the Settings app.
• Restart your device to refresh the system and apply any pending changes.
• Update your Windows 10 operating system to the latest version to access bug fixes and improvements related to Storage Sense.
• Check for any conflicting settings or group policies that may affect Storage Sense behavior.
• Make sure to sync the Microsoft 365 configuration policy to the devices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I customize the cleanup schedule for Microsoft 365 EndPoint Manager Storage Sense?
A: Yes, you can customize the cleanup frequency according to your preferences. You can choose to run storage cleanup daily, weekly, monthly, or even set a specific schedule.

Q: Will Storage Sense delete files that are important to me?
A: Storage Sense is designed to delete files that are no longer needed or have exceeded the specified thresholds. However, it will not delete files that you have marked as important or protected.

Q: Can I exclude specific folders from storage cleanup?
A: Yes, you can exclude specific folders from storage cleanup. In the Storage Sense settings, you have the option to exclude folders that you want to retain without being affected by the cleanup process.

Q: Can I recover files deleted by Storage Sense?
A: No, once files are deleted by Storage Sense, they are permanently removed. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you have backup systems in place to avoid data loss.

Q: Does Storage Sense clean up files in the cloud?
A: Storage Sense primarily focuses on optimizing local storage. However, when integrated with OneDrive, it can manage cloud files as well, allowing you to optimize both local and cloud storage.

Q: Can I use Storage Sense on devices other than Windows 10?
A: Storage Sense is a feature specific to Windows 10 and Microsoft 365. While other platforms may offer similar storage management tools, Storage Sense is designed specifically for Windows 10 devices.

Q: Is Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense available for all Microsoft 365 subscriptions?
A: Storage Sense is available for most Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include Endpoint Manager. However, it’s always recommended to check the specific subscription details to ensure availability.

Conclusion

Efficient storage management is essential for maintaining a streamlined Microsoft 365 environment. By configuring Microsoft 365 Endpoint Manager Storage Sense, you can automate storage cleanup, optimize storage usage, and improve system performance. This comprehensive guide has provided you with the necessary knowledge and step-by-step instructions to configure Storage Sense effectively. By following the best practices and leveraging the integration with OneDrive, you can ensure optimal storage utilization and enhance user experience within your organization.

I hope this article was helpful!  You can find more here: Microsoft 365 Articles