Quotas and users

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Quotas and users

Because disk quotas monitor volume use by individual user, each user's utilization of disk space does not affect the disk quotas for other users of the same volume. For example, if Volume F has a quota limit of 500 megabytes (MB) and a user saves 500 megabytes (MB) worth of files to Volume F, that user cannot write additional data to the volume without first deleting or moving some existing files from it. However, each of the other users can continue to save up to 500 MB worth of files on that volume as long as there is sufficient free space.

Disk quotas are based on file ownership and are independent of the folder location of the user's files within the volume. For example, if users move their files from one folder to another on the same volume, their volume space usage does not change. However, if users copy their files to a different folder on the same volume, their volume space usage doubles. Or, if another user creates a 200 kilobyte (KB) file and you take ownership of that file, that user's disk use decreases by 200 KB and your disk use increases by 200 KB.

For instructions on enabling disk quotas, see Enable disk quotas.